The Mysteries of London; or, Revelations of the British Metropolis — page 377: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

OF LONDON. : aes 55 Marquis, said he, the honour of your visit makes me singularly happy. I hope that we are going - to have a long conversation. We are about to have a very long conversation, prince, replied Rio Santo. The prince bowed very graciously, and deadtict: ed his guest to the magnificent arm chair which was standing at the corner of the fire- place. Rio Santo seated himself, and the prince did the same. My lord, said the latter, our affair is proceeding well. I have in every respect followed .the in- structions of your lordship, and it would not at all astonish me, if, in the course of two or three months’ time— Prince! said Rio Santo, gently interrupting him, with or without the assistance of your ex- cellency, everything will be concluded in two or three days. Prince Demetrius Tolstoy gazed at Rio Santo with amazement, and with that air which seems to imply, surely the man is mad. Assuredly, my lord, said he, after a short pause, I am henceforth completely at your lordship’s service; but it is not possible that you can be ignorant of the delays which always attend diplo- matic negociations. Within the last six days I have commenced a series of measures— Your excellency must continue them, said Rio Santo, interrupting him ; but as to me, I have not the time to await the result. You must make an advance upon these results. Does not your excellency think that a diplomatic promise’ can be scouted like a - bill of exchange ? ek 5 Eomicbooks:com.