The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 66: what you’re looking at

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

THE TOKENS 49 not for a moment believe. The clause relative to my sub- mission to the Marquis of Leveson could indeed be well dispensed with, for reasons which I need not explain. But as for that clause which is to remain and which I am to be called upon to sign, were I to purchase my freedom on such terms, never should I dare venture into the presence of Louisa Stanley again. When first I set out upon this enter- prise, she encouraged me to pursue it, and with all the gener- osity of her nature did she appreciate the duty which circum- stances thus imposed upon me. She felt for the injured princess, not because she is a princess, but because she is a2 woman, a wronged and injured woman, and she would regard me as a coward, a base recreant, were I now, in a moment of weakness or folly, to abandon the cause of that persecuted lady.” The prefect exerted all his eloquence to remonstrate, persuade, and cajole, in order to induce Jocelyn to sign the bond, now cut down to a single clause; but not even to this one clause would the young man append his name. At length, tired of his unavailing endeavours to alter the prisoner’s decision, the prefect said, ‘‘ Then, if you are bent upon this obstinacy, I have no alternative but to follow out the instructions which I have received.” “And those instructions?’’ said Loftus, interroga- tively. “To treat you as a lunatic,’’ responded the prefect, ‘‘ and remove you to an asylum for theinsane. To-morrow night, therefore, at eleven o’clock, will you be transferred hence, un- less in the interval you yield to the dictates of reason and prudence.”’ Having thus spoken, his Excellency hastened from the room, and soon afterward the old nurse returned. Jocelyn now penned the following note: “To my FRIENDS OuTsIDE:— Whoever ye are, accept my sincerest and most heartfelt thanks. Your note duly reached me, and as a further token that it is really I, the undersigned, who am thus corresponding with you, permit me to ask whether Miss Clara Stanley is still residing with Mr. and Mrs. Beckford in Stratton Street, Piccadilly? The time of my removal is fixed for to-morrow night at eleven, and my destiny is a madhouse, but where situated I know Cconniclooolks (C(O)