The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 64: what you’re looking at

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

THE TOKENS 47 quainted with your handwriting, it was necessary to receive from you some proof that the little billet was really delivered to you yourself, instead of being placed in the hands of your gaolers. The words you wrote back could not well have been forged by any official of the prefecture, inasmuch as they involve questions which none but you would have been likely to put; and therefore we received them as a token that the first little missive really reached you. It now appears that you are soon to be removed. You must ascertain, if possible, when this removal will take place, and whither you are going. But if you cannot glean these particulars, you need not despair. We shall maintain a constant watch, as we are pledged to accomplish our aim. ‘‘ Miss Louisa Stanley has returned to her residence at Canterbury, having escaped from many perils. We are enabled to assure you that nothing which your enemies have devised or done has in any way impaired her full confidence in you. “Your FRIENDS OUTSIDE.”’ The joy, the supreme, ineffable joy, which Loftus experi- enced on perusing the latter part of the letter so tran- scended all the previous satisfaction which he felt at the prospects of escape held out by the preceding portion, that he for a few minutes forgot everything save the one grand fact that his Louisa loved him as fondly as ever. The assur- ance thus conveyed seemed to inspire him with new life; hope lit up its flaming beacon before his eyes, and again did he whisper to himself that the wheel of fortune was turning in his favour. But when the first gush of ecstatic feelings had thus found a vent, he was enabled to revert with befitting seriousness and deliberation to the measures that were in progress for his escape. To solicit another interview with the prefect was the only way to obtain the information which his friends outside requested him to procure, namely, the time fixed for his removal, and the place to which he was to be removed; but as it was now nine o’clock in the evening he considered it best to postpone the demand for that interview with the prefect until the following morning. Dismissing the nurse, therefore, for the night, he remained alone to meditate upon his prospects, his hopes, and his love. GOMIINGIOOKS (CO)