The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 227: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XXI WESTMINSTER BRIDGE Ir was the Wednesday fixed for the appointment with Daniel Coffin on Westminster Bridge, and shortly after dusk the prince regent, muffled closely in a capacious mantle, and with a hat the slouching brims of which completely shaded his countenance, issued from the private gate of Carlton Palace that opened into St. James’s Park. Passing rapidly along the Mall, he at length relaxed his pace, and on arriving opposite St. James’s Palace he walked very slowly, in the evident expectation of meeting some one. The evening was dull and misty, and very few people were in the park, but presently a figure, with an unmistakable gait, emerged, as it were, from the surrounding gloom, and accosted his Royal Highness. “Ah! it is you,’ ejaculated the prince. ‘‘ You are punctual; it is barely five o’clock.”’ “Why, your Royal Highness,” observed the Hangman, ‘“‘ when I received such a pressing and, I may say, a peremp- tory message as your valet brought me to-day, it wasn’t likely I should go and neglect it.” “Well, well,’’ interrupted the prince, ‘‘ you must talk as little and listen as patiently as you can, for I have some- thing of the greatest importance to say to you. But before I proceed, let me tell you that if I know how to reward liberally I am equally aware how to punish severely, so that your fidelity shall be nobly recompensed, but any treachery on your part shall be ruthlessly punished.” ‘TI don’t at all object to such terms,’’ remarked Coffin, ‘“ because I am too wise not to earn the reward, and I am not such a fool as to risk the punishment.” ‘““T like deeds and not words,” said the prince, “ and if 198 CoOnniclooolks (E(0)