The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 40: what you’re looking at

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

THE INTRUDERS 21 departure as quickly as you came. Upon my promise you may rely —” “But we would rather have it in writing, prince,” ob- served the Gallows’ Widow, with her wonted imperturbability of manner; ‘and we should like the document sealed with that signet-ring which your Royal Highness wears upon your right hand,” she added, pointing to the jewel itself. “What! you will not take my word—my solemnly pledged promise? ”’ cried the prince. “ Then be off — depart —I defy you!” ‘Ah! but we are not to be defied, most illustrious High- ness,” exclaimed the Kinchin-Grand. ‘“ Page’s servant- gal is my blowen, and ’tis she who has put us up to the whole business about that young lady there,’”’ he added, looking toward Pauline, who still remained buried in a profound lethargy. ‘‘ That is true, prince,” said the Gallows’ Widow, speaking without any excitement in her manner, and yet with a certain ominous significancy in her tone. ‘“ The entire proceeding is known to us in all its details; and I ask you, prince, what the world would say if we were to raise an alarm and bring a mob to see how his Royal Highness employs people to administer narcotic drugs to innocent young ladies, in order that he may have an opportunity of ravishing and de- flowering them.” The royal voluptuary was staggered, and a mortal pallor overspread his countenance, for he saw that he was entirely in the power of aset of desperatecharacters. Resistance was vain, refusal was useless, and exposure was to be averted at any sacrifice. He could not make his position much worse by giving the required promise in writing. It would be a more prudent alternative than that of leaving the wretches then present to have recourse to any extreme measures which they might choose to adopt. For were his conduct toward Pauline Clarendon made public, he would be irre- coverably disgraced in the national estimation, if not alto- gether ruined in his prospects as heir to the throne. The situation was grave and serious, and he inwardly cursed his folly in allowing his brutal passions to hurry him into such a dilemma. But regrets were now useless; and he must make the best retreat he possibly could from a most igno- minious and perilous difficulty. GomiilGcyaooks (F©)