The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 242: what you’re looking at

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

THE SPANIARD 215 the legitimate heir, were it not that all I possessed devolved to the Crown, as I was a condemned traitor and an outlaw. Then was it that the kind feeling of the Governor of Cadiz again made itself apparent; and when Spain once more became comparatively tranquillized, he exerted all possible interest on my behalf. But matters of this kind drag them- selves slowly along in my native country, and it was only a few weeks back that one morning my generous and well- meaning relative brought me the announcement that I had received a full pardon, that my title of count was re- stored to me, and that I was allowed to take possession of the large fortune whereof I have spoken. I myself would have asked no favour of those in power, but I was not insane enough to reject the boons which had thus been secretly procured for me. Besides, during my long imprisonment at Cadiz, I had learned sufficient of the true character of Don Carlos. I had heard so much from my fellow captives respecting his bigotry, his selfishness, and his narrow- mindedness, that I came to loathe the cause which I had formerly served. But while having been brought to this abhorrence of Carlism, I was not changed into an admirer of the queen’s monarchy. My studies had converted me into a Republican, and on the day that I issued from the prison at Cadiz, | vowed that never again would I draw my sword on behalf of royalty, but only to aid in emancipat- ing the Spanish people from the thraldom of tyrants, should the opportunity for such redemption ever present itself. ‘Business affairs, connected with my newly inherited fortune, compelled me to visit Madrid; but no sooner were those matters settled, when I set out on my journey to Eng- land. I travelled alone, without ceremony, without attend- ants; my purpose was to proceed as rapidly as possible, avoiding encumbrances of all kinds. A post-chaise bore me to the Pyrenees. Oh, with what mingled feelings of hope and fear did I enter upon this journey. The mountainous boundary being crossed, I hurried on through France. The nearer I approached to England, the more torturing became my suspense. Sometimes I was buoyed up with enthusiastic hopes; at others I was a prey to the most torturing appre- hensions. But all these had I likewise experienced during my captivity at Cadiz. Now, however, as I approached CORNICLO© ‘S (C(O)