The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 4 — page 160: what you’re looking at

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

eapmempurensemenemnnsntasniecnmamreeaatoun a ‘ . THE MYSTBRIVG senate een aaa ena wees ee her; and there was every reason to suppobe that this supervision had not been relaxed during the last four or five months. Thus, though he was on the high road to Geneva, and thoug& he would econ be within sight of the Princess's dwelling, and perhaps able to advance up to her very front door,—yet was it possible that after all he might experience con- siderable difficulty in obtaining access to lier! Having duly considered theee matters, Jocelyn determined upon entering Geneva in es ptivate a manner as possible; and instead of taking up his quarters at one of the fashionable hotels, procure some humbler lodging, so that be might stand the leas risk of having hie presence known in the city previous to obtaining an interview with the Princesse. On arriving within four miles of Geneva, at about three o'clook in the afternoon, Jooelyn halted at a village the picturesque appearance of ghich delighted him ee much that he longed to ramble for an hour or two in its beautiful environs Moreover, as he had determined upon entering Geneva at dusk, he thought he could net do betier than dine at this vil- lage; and he accordingly ordered the post-chaise to ' be put up at the little inn which occupied a pro- | minent position amongst the few buildings eonsti- tuting the place. Before he set out for his rainble, ' he sought the fandlord fo give instrustigns relative to | his dinner; and the pretty peasant-girl who acted as | waitress, introduced him to the master of the esta- blishment—~a stout goo8-looking man, who at the | Moment was engaged in conversation with another ' traveller. This individual bad just atrived in « chaise, and was.a thin, pale-faced, keen-eyed man, dressed in black. “1 propo’ to sy hore uitil the evening,” said Lofius, who, as the reader is wall’aware, waa profi- dient in the French language, which was spoken in all that district: “and on my return from a little ramble which I am about to take in your beautiful neighbourhood, I shall be ready for such fare as you may be enabled to provide me.” “This gentlemsh is alao going to dine here in a couple of hours,” sald the landlord, indicating the individual in biask: * perhaps you two gentlemen would like to dine tegether t” There wes no objection raised on either side to this propossl; and Jocelyh scsordingly ect oud for. his ramble, with the understanding that dinner would” be ready at five o'clock. During tie interval our young hero wandered amongst the delisiaus groves, through the verdant fields, and amidst the vine- yards, otolnitds, and gardens, which formed the envirene of the beautiful’ village whose name we have forgo‘ten, but which everybody who hae tra- velled in those parts cannot fail to recognise, EE ee ee eee, s — am —_ — EP bese es ems =] me — hee 2p ee ew eee eee SO Ce trediteed by the pretty waitress into a neatly fur- nished periour, leoking ‘upon « garden, Whence the etening breexe, . hd <fragrant, wal warted, through the open window. The table was laid with ebaracteristic neatnees; and. the palefaced gentle~ mdb * black, who wae to be Jacelyn’s companion ut the repast, was already there, He wah 4 native of the country, and spoke: Fmuch with that peou- lier fut by mo menne disaipresable accept whioi matke the Gasevess, Jiis‘sppearance wae not ally gether ‘prepodscasing 3 but Jocelyn wan net meaipa tend to judge men thersby--and as his Compan ped to be endowed ‘with great conversational valde our hero soon forgot his sinister luoke in the uh —e eee eee me — ee EE At five o'clock: he returned to the inn, and was in- | land 147 charms of his discourse, It appeared that he was professional mat: tesiding at Geneva, and that he had come to the little village that afternoon to ine spect some propatty in the ‘neighbourhood which he was desirous of porchasing. _ The fact of the Gevevese gentleman giving this account of himself, was a sert of invitation for Jocelyn to do the same; and ont here accordingly said that he was an Englishman having some par- ttoular business of a private character to transact at Geneva, where he did not however expect to make avery long stay. He then asked if his dompanion happened to know whether the Princess of Wales had a large retinue, and in what atyle she was living f The Genevese gentleman scemed rather struck by the circumstance that these questions should follow so closely upon the explanation previously given by our hero; apd perhaps he inferred therefrom that “the business of a private character” which ‘was taking Jocelyn to Geneva, was in some way or another connected with the Princess.” “Her Royal Highness,” he said, “is living hand- somely, but quietly :"—-and here a peculiar smile for a moment curled the individual's Hpe—é emile which was so slight and eo transitory that it would have esceped observation altogether, if its expression had nét been so very strange, and éven sinister, “But I preaume she bas rendered hereelf muck liked by her charities, and much respected ty her virtues,” aaid Jécelyn: “ for che is un excellent lady —a most.awieble Princess—add one whove purity of character has defied ail the slauder of her enemies,” | % No doubt of it,” said the Genevese gentleman, but with a dryness of tone end a peculiarity of OF THE COURT. ERS SE es em Be 2 a ae ew 2) Og ew ee oe ee EE eg gE es Er ees . manner which Jocelyn could not possibly help ab- | serving. ‘But what do they say of ber in England, : gir?” he asked. “The great majority of the people,” replied Loftus,—“thoss indeed who do not panier to Courtly profligaey, and ate not deceived by the pre- judices propagated and fostered by the blind wor- shippers of Royalty, know that she is innocent of. _— ageee . . a every evil which is imputed t@her. Yea—and they | tematic, and cowardly persecation.” “You are warm ia her defence, sir,” remarked, the professional gentlemdéa, us he sipped his vive: fo we should observe that dinner was served op know also that she ia the victims of a base, sys | - ar] immediately after Jucelyn éntored the room, and - that he anid his companion wore now seated ut a | table where, althougn it was but at a. amall Villuge inn, all the Wainties of the season werd apréad, furming indeed an admirable specimen of tie nnited kitchens of France, Savoy, aid Switzer. “Yea—I defend tue Princess, sir,” tJ ‘ied Jove. fyo, “because I koow thas sile is & viet 3 suid uot pguity woman, The vileat chargds.igve besn at | diffurent times mide against hers hy igus calarnies have | you will pig iet eg! Watt wpon tris subject: for hadighans 64 '% Englishman, a¢ the transient whieh this foreign ind, au pou tell me, sir, are three young ladigh.bamied Onen?* © Yoa—1 -balievs a a mistake not, they are tijree very beautiful girks. 2s Giga te boon. beveled Ab 'har——But hGed’s honsebold there © o— ene ee _- oe ee eee SO ae eR ee eee the reply: “and #1.) GOnniGooo YN S CO