The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 266: what you’re looking at

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

PRINCESS SOPHIA AND HER BROTHER 237 affairs. But as for any conspiracy for accusing my wife of crimes whereof she is not guilty, or, in plain terms, of ruining an innocent woman, I pledge you my soul it is all a fable, a chimera.”’ And as the prince gave utterance to this tremendous piece of perjury, he looked at his royal sister so steadily, so unblushingly, and with such an air of conscious integrity, that she was not merely staggered, but positively persuaded he was speaking the truth. “T am glad, my dear brother, nay, more than glad, positively delighted,”’ she said, ‘‘ to hear you speak in this manner. I confess that I have written a letter to a certain Mr. Jocelyn Loftus, whose name Charlotte mentioned to me, and who is supposed to be at Canterbury.”’ ‘“‘ Then the best thing you can do,’’ interrupted the prince, ‘‘is to write another letter and unsay all you have penned in the first; and at all events, if he should happen to come up to London, you will do well not to see him, for he is a mere adventurer, a profligate young scamp — ”’ ‘‘ Indeed! is this his character? ’’ exclaimed the princess, in astonishment. ‘““ It is,’’ returned her brother, “‘ and he goes about under a false name, practising his iniquities and pursuing his debaucheries. It was on that account he was imprisoned in Paris. But enough upon this subject. Promise me that you will interfere no more in the affair, and all will be well.”’ ‘“T promise you faithfully,’’ answered the princess, ‘‘ and I will this very day write to Mr. Loftus to the effect that my letter of yesterday originated in a mistake. Should he come up to London before my second letter can reach him, I will give orders that he be not admitted.” “ You will act wisely,’’ said the prince, ‘‘ and when you have an opportunity, I beg you to counsel my daughter, and use your influence with her to curb this rebellious spirit of hers, and not to give way to her own headstrong opinions. The queen has sent me a long letter this morning about her, for it appears that some altercation took place between them last night. However, I shall now look out for a hus- band for Charlotte, and when she is married, she will perhaps be less a source of uneasiness and vexation to me.”’ “ But she is so very young!’ exclaimed the Princess Sophia. CoOnniclooolkks (C(O)