The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 30: what you’re looking at

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

THE HEIR APPARENT AND HIS AGENT 11 sentiment was extended toward the Marquis de Bellois, for a reason which your Royal Highness did not explain, and which I of course do not attempt to penetrate. Well, when I found that these noblemen had fallen so admirably into the snare laid for them, and that they had so innocently drawn the Duke of Villebelle into the meshes spread out to catch themselves, I thought within myself that if some one must profit in the long run by being the depositary of the duke’s wealth, your Royal Highness should be that fortunate individual. Therefore, I took the liberty of declaring that your Royal Highness would accept the trust.”’ ‘“‘ T again repeat that you are a man of great penetration,”’ said the prince; ‘‘ and I may add that you will do honour to the order of knighthood.”’ The ex-bagman rose from his seat and made three distinct bows, each more profound than the former. “And now tell me about fPauline,’’ exclaimed the prince. | ‘“‘ For the first time since the removal of Octavia a month ago and upwards,” replied Mr. Page, ‘‘ Pauline has begun to exhibit a neighbourly feeling; and my excellent wife has persuaded upon her to take tea with her this evening. The poor thing has doubtless begun to experience an intolerable loneliness; and she looks upon Mrs. Page as a kind-hearted well-meaning creature, who can sympathize with her.”’ ‘“‘ Then she does not entertain the least suspicion that you were instrumental in procuring the confinement of her sister 1n a private madhouse?’”’ said the prince, interroga- tively. ‘“She could not possibly have formed the remotest con- jecture on the subject,’ returned Page. ‘‘ It was all done so cleverly. A few guineas obtained the necessary certificates from a couple of drunken, profligate doctors, named Wigton and Smanks, who happen to be acquaintances of mine; and they will not let the cat out of the bag for their own sakes. Then there is Doctor Burton, the keeper of the lunatic asylum, who is still more directly interested in maintaining a profound secrecy relative to the transaction; for he would not like to lose the three hundred a year which I have undertaken to pay him on your Royal Highness’s behalf, for the maintenance of Miss Octavia.”’ ‘And has Pauline given up wandering about the vicinage COnnNIECLOOKS (S©)