Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 274: what you’re looking at

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

THE PRINCE, MEAGLES, LADY LETITIA 2057 will not hesitate to cannonade the people at the first symptom of a rising. Nevertheless, royalty has begun to fall to a discount — ”’ ‘Your Royal Highness is wrong to suppose that such is the case in England,” observed Meagles. ‘“‘ The aristocracy has got such a tight hold upon the millions that a convulsion here is impossible.”’ “Well, at all events, the throne will last my time out,” observed the prince; “‘ and I don’t care one damn what follows! ”’ “Oh, leave politics alone for the present,’ exclaimed Lady Letitia; ‘“‘ and let us return to the matter whence you have both disgressed. The Marquis de Saint Croix, of whom I was speaking, is an old nobleman of very vener- able appearance; and he has quite won Sir John’s heart. The consequence is that he is a frequent visitor at our house, as I just now observed; and a few days ago he was saying that he had succeeded in bringing away with him, from his native land, a sum of not less than twenty thousand pounds. He is anxious to lay out his money to the best advantage, and consulted my husband upon the subject. Sir John replied that he would mention the business to his solicitor, who might probably know where to place the amount on some safe mortgage, and at good interest. I happened to mention this circumstance to our friend Meagles — ”’ “ And I immediately suggested that perhaps your Royal Highness would like to take up the sum,’’ added Tim. “ Letitia says that she can manage it easily, and without delay.”’ “And what security can I possibly give the marquis? ”’ inquired George. “Your Royal Highness’s bond ay deubtlee be sufh- cient,’ answered Meagles. “And the French nobleman will rejoice in having de- posited his money in such good hands,” observed the Amazon. “ He will consider the transaction as a guarantee for the continuation of that hospitality and protection which England has already vouchsafed, not only to himself, but to so many thousands of his refugee fellow country- men.”’ “But the affair must be managed with the utmost GOmicdooks (S©) ‘