The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 228: what you’re looking at

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

WESTMINSTER BRIDGE 199 I have given you this warning, it has not been without a reason. Wherefore did you go to Lady Ernestina Dysart and tell her that it was my intention to make her the bearer of the money to be paid to you this night? ”’ “Ah!” ejaculated the Hangman, ‘her ladyship told you that? But what else did she tell your Royal Highness? ”’ “She told me nothing,’’ replied the prince, ‘‘ but what I presume was the truth, namely, that you insinuated yourself into Leveson House, that you found your way to her private chamber, and that you made her a monstrous proposal which I dare not name.”’ ‘And was this all Lady Ernestina told you? ’’ inquired the Hangman, the sardonic leer which he gave being visible even in the deepening gloom of the hour. “Was not that enough?” exclaimed the prince, aston- ished at the question, ‘‘ or would you have me understand that Lady Ernestina actually succumbed to your wishes? ’’ “No, I didn’t mean anything of the sort,’”’ interrupted the Hangman, now satisfied that Ernestina had not mentioned to the prince a word relative to the other incidents which had occurred on the same night at Leveson House; not that he would have cared if she had been more communica- tive on the subject, but he was merely curious to ascertain the point. ‘There is something peculiar in your manner,”’ said the prince, “‘ as if you fancied that Lady Ernestina revealed to me less than she might have done.” “ Well,”’ observed the Hangman, carelessly, ‘‘I only thought perhaps she might have told your Royal Highness that I got a few guineas out of her, and one or two little articles of jewelry that she gave me — ”’ ‘Of that no matter,” interrupted the prince. ‘It is your disposition as well as your calling to lay your hand on whatever comes in your way. But to cut all this matter short, I merely mention the fact of Lady Ernestina’s calling privately upon me and communicating the particulars of your visit to her in order to show you, by your own actions, that you cannot always keep a secret or behave prudently.” “Well, I admit I was wrong,’’ observed the Hangman, affecting a contrite tone, ‘“‘ but as your Royal Highness had SO positively said you meant to employ Lady Ernestina to bring the money to me at eleven o’clock to-night on West- CoOnnicloooks (C(O)