The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 232: what you’re looking at

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

WESTMINSTER BRIDGE 203 ‘“ Nothing,’”’ was the response, ‘“‘ only to warn you once again to beware of perfidy, and to bid you meet me punc- tually at the beginning of Westminster Bridge as the clock strikes eleven, the Foundling being at that hour in the recess agreed upon.”’ ‘ All shall be right as the mail,’”’ responded the Hangman. He and the prince then separated, the latter hastening across the Mall to St. James’s Palace, and the former quitting the park at an equally speedy pace. Astonished at all he had heard, devoured with curiosity to learn who the Foundling’s parents really could be, re- volving in his mind a thousand schemes to penetrate this mystery and turn it to subsequent advantage, Daniel Coffin sped toward Fleet Lane, and in the absorbing pre- occupation of his thoughts he accomplished a considerable portion of the distance ere he remembered that he had enjoined Lady Ernestina to be sure and meet him that night at eleven o’clock. But then he reflected that the prince must have no doubt already told her, or would let her know during the evening, that he had changed his mind and required not her services to convey the five hundred guineas. Then, under these circumstances, would Ernestina repair to the bridge at all? The Hangman could not possibly conjecture, nor did he now choose to devote much attention to the subject. His desires in that quarter were, for the time being, all wrapped up in the more absorbing excitement of the business he had in hand and the money he had yet to earn. Meantime the prince regent had entered St. James’s Palace, and proceeded straight to the apartments of his sister the Princess Sophia. On obtaining an interview with her alone, he hastened to explain as much as he thought fit of what he had done in the matter now nearest her heart. ‘“ Everything is arranged,’ he said, “‘ in accordance with your desires. This night, at eleven o’clock, shall you have an opportunity of gazing for a few moments upon your son, and even of speaking to him a few words, if you will. But in this case you will, of course, address him as a stranger, and I warn you against suffering any transitory feeling of weakness to betray you into a revelation to that youth — ”’ “No, no, not for the world,’’ interrupted the princess, ““ would I confess to him the secret of his birth! I shall not Cconnicloooks (C(O)