The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 272: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XXVI VISITORS AT ST. JAMES’S WHEN the usual civilities were exchanged between the Princess Sophia and Lady Prescott, the latter presented her Royal Highness with the note which she had promised the Princess Charlotte to deliver. Sophia instantaneously recognized the handwriting, and opening the billet in a hurried manner, she read the following lines: ““Winpsor CastuE, Midnight. ‘‘T have just now had a cruel scene with her Majesty. That you will hear of it from other quarters is tolerably certain, inasmuch as the queen has discovered that you, my dear aunt, have given me your sympathy and promised me your assistance in respect to my poor mother. I am very, very unhappy. Misfortunes seem to be gathering around me, and never, never did I so much require your consoling presence, your friendship, and your love. But wherefore do I not fly to you? Alas! I am now a prisoner at the castle. My cruel grandmother — pardon me for speaking thus of your mother — has told me that I shall be a captive, and my very servants, when I ride out in my carriage or on horseback, are to perform the parts of spies, gaolers, and guards. It is only through the kindness of Lady Prescott that I am enabled thus to communicate with you. Come to me when you can, but pray do not let any steps the queen may take prevent you from seeing Mr. Loftus. If he should not respond to your summons, I im- plore you to seek some trusty messenger who will bear a letter of warning, which you must write, to my dear mother. Oh, do not fail in all this. My whole and sole trust is now in you, my dearest aunt. Do not write to me about these 243 CORAICLOO© SS (C(O)