The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 269: what you’re looking at

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

240 THE COURT OF LONDON details. You do not require to be informed that on beholding the tragic spectacle I was seized with horror and dismay. Fortunately not a soul was passing at the time, and to snatch you up from the pavement was my first impulse. You opened your eyes, your veil was away from your face, and you caught a glimpse of the countenance of Daniel Coffin. Then you fainted again, and I placed you on the seat in the recess. The next moment I turned my attention to the youth, and drawing out the dagger gave it to Coffin. Blood flowed from his breast, but I covered the wound with my handkerchief, and a long gasp convinced me that the poor boy lived. At the same instant a hackney-coach was passing over the bridge. It was empty, we stopped it, the youth was lifted in, and I bade Coffin go with him to the surgeon’s in Bridge Street. That surgeon is known to me, and I told Coffin what to say. The coach drove away, and I breathed more freely. All these hurried, exciting, bewildering details had occupied barely a minute. My attention was then again turned toward yourself, but you speedily recovered, and fortunately you were enabled to walk home.” “Fortunately indeed!” ejaculated the princess, “‘ for what would the dependents of the palace have thought had they beheld me brought back in a swoon? But having seen me safe in my own apartments, you then hurried off to the surgeon’s.”’ “Yes, I sped to Mr. Barrymore’s,’”’ resumed the prince, ‘‘ and ascertained that the youth was not past all hope.” ‘And though you were kind enough to come back to me with this assurance,’’ observed the princess, “ yet was I unable to subdue the horror of my thoughts. But it must have been very late when you got to bed.” ‘It was barely one o’clock,’’ said the prince regent, ‘and that is not late for me. Only I would much rather have to sit up at night for more pleasant purposes. How- ever, I left you with the promise of returning at noon to-day, and if I am an hour or so later than my promise, it 1s because of the arrival of a courier with that unpleasant letter from our mother.”’ “ But you have been to Mr. Barrymore’s?”’ said the princess, anxiously. ‘‘T have already told you so,” rejoined the prince regent. ‘‘ The youth is out of danger, but still speechless. I invented CONNIE OOOKS (E(@)