The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 228: what you’re looking at

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

THE TWO DOORS 211 Mrs. Roberts, ‘‘ the construction you have so charitably placed upon the matter is the right one, and I solemnly assure you that her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales is innocent of all and everything that scandal may impute unto her.”’ Mrs. Roberts gazed upon our hero with mingled astonish- ment and delight. Indeed, she forgot her own wrongs and her own sorrows in her joy to think that the injured wife of the prince regent not only possessed a champion who embraced her cause so fervently, but who was enabled to vindicate her character so confidently. “Madam,” said Loftus, observing the manner with which she surveyed him, “ you have to a certain extent imparted your afflictions to me, and I will in return make known certain secrets to you. You have heard me speak of a conspiracy. I will explain what I mean, for I believe, from certain things which you have said, that you can assist me in the task I have in hand, and I feel assured that you pos- sess the inclination to do so.”’ Jocelyn then proceeded to reveal all that he knew con- cerning the conspiracy on foot against the princess, and of which the three Misses Owen were the instruments. Mrs. Roberts listened with surprise and indignation, but when our hero had concluded, she said, with a peculiar emphasis, ‘“ After all, | am not astonished to hear that the Queen of England is one of the prime movers of this diabolical wicked- ness. I have all along suspected that she was capable of any treachery, any cruelty — ”’ But here Mrs. Roberts checked herself, and Loftus had too much delicacy to put any questions to her as to the opportunities she might have had of judging so minutely relative to the secret disposition of old Queen Charlotte. For half an hour longer did the conversation last between Jocelyn and the lady, and it was past one o’clock when they quitted the drawing-room to return to their respective chambers. ~ ECORNICLOO <S) (CO)