The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 150: what you’re looking at

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

THE ROYAL BROTHER AND SISTER — 129 difference to the sorrows of others, could not help being somewhat touched by the spectacle of his sister’s dread despair, as likewise by the appalling interest that belonged to this narrative which she was reciting. ‘“‘ Who is the man that you thus speak of as being the master or employer of the lad? ? The Princess Sophia turned upon her brother a look full of unutterable misery as she said, in a low and scarcely audible tone, ‘‘ Who is that man? It is the public execu- tioner.”’ “What, Daniel Coffin!’ ejaculated the prince, the men- tion of the dreadiul man appearing ominous to a degree, inasmuch as but little more than an hour had elapsed since he and his Royal Highness had stood face to face in the splendid saloon at Carlton House. ‘“‘ This fellow now seems destined to spring up frequently in my path,’’ thought the prince within himself, and the feelings of disgust, annoyance, and even alarm which he thus experienced were reflected in his countenance. ‘Oh, you may well be horrified and terror-stricken! ”’ exclaimed the princess, not altogether comprehending the spring of her brother’s emotions; for she was of course utterly unaware of the fact that the common hangman was personally known to the prince regent of the kingdom. “But what do you propose to do in the matter?” de- manded his Royal Highness, “or what do you wish or expect that I should do for you? ”’ ‘““ Hear me out, and then you will understand wherefore I have sent for you. For nearly two months,” continued the princess, ‘‘ has Doctor Thurston been aware that the unfortunate youth is alive and in the service of that dreadful man, but not until yesterday had the physician the courage to communicate to Lady Florimel the result of Mr. Lawrence Sampson’s researches. Indeed, it was only when Pauline threatened to call personally upon the Bow Street officer and ascertain whether anything was being done in the matter, it was only then, I say, that Doctor Thurston admitted that Sampson’s efforts had already been crowned, too fatally crowned, with success. And now it would also appear that, by a singular coincidence, Mr. Sampson, before being engaged in that research at all, had fallen in with the youth, had conceived an interest in his behalf, had invited COMMICOO© SS (C(O)