The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 4 — page 186: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. iug the thread of- & conversation already com- menced in the drawing-room ere sho came out to walk in Phe garden. “So much, now depends upon the course which events may takein France. You see, it is quite evident from th newspaper reports that there will be a desperate struggle between Bonaparte apd the Allies——is it not so, Baron ?” “ No doubt of it, madam,” responded Bergamni, to whom the query was addressed. “Immense preparations are being made; and it is probable that your Royal Highness’s august father, the Duke of Brunswick, will be invested with a very important command in the armies mustered for the coming conflict,” «* And if Napoleon be beaten?” said the Prin- ceas inquiringly. ‘* Then peace, your Royal Highness, will instan- taneously be given to Eurupe—I may add to the whole world,” answered Bergami. «But if, on the other hand, Napoleon skould conquer °” asked the Princess’. “ Then, madam,” rejoined the equerry, “it will he impossible to foresee the consequances. But this much may be predicted, that all Continental Europe is sure to be subjectod to the Emperor's sway. * And as the wife of the Prince Regent,” con- tinued her Royal Highness, “1 sheuld incur the risk of being seized upon by the French, even here at Geneva, and thrown into some fortress. - Well then, as I was telling you, young ladies, just now,” she continued, addressing herself to Agatha and Julia, while Emma remained behind, walking by the side of Bergami, “our svjouru in this beautiful epot depends entirely on the course that occurrences may take.” At this momeut a page was seen advancing from the villa; and approaching the Princess, he said with a low obcisance, “ May it please your Royal Highness, an English lady craves an audi- ence.” «Give me the lady’s card, that I may hand it to her Royal Highness,” at once said Agatha, who, as well ag her sisters, was ever on the alert tq prevent any one fiom obtaining access to the Princess uvless it suited their purpuse. -‘“The lady neither gave name nor card,” said the rage; “but requested that this note might ke handed to her Royal Highvess, should there be any hesitation manifested in receiving her.” According to the etiquette invariably observed in respect to royal personages, Agatifa, as the senior lady-in-waiting, received the note which the paga now presented: and opening it, she ran her eyes quickly over ite contents. “Ohl it ia no one of any consequence—a mere pretence and excuse,” sheaaid. “Your Royal High- ness will do well to decide upon not granting this interview.” ° ‘ But what does the note say 2” asked the Prin- cess. “ Who is the lady? what does she pretend to be?” « Evidently an impostress,” rejoined Agatha. “Your Royal Highnese’s exceeding benevolence and charity give encouragement to all kinds of per- sons to approach as suppliants for your bounty. Shall I order the page to’state that your Royal Hignesa cannot be disturbed at present f” The Princess, good-natured and confiding aw she was, and never liking to thwart the ladies by whom she waa surrounded, was sbout to give her dssent to the course which Agatha suggested,—when the sud- den fancy took her tbat she would look at that ‘note which had just, been presented. “Perbaps it was a mere whim on the Princeas’s part thus to peruse that note: or perhaps it was that Mise Owen had on this occasion slightly over-acted her part and had seemed t00 anxious to prevent the audience solicited, so that a faint suspicion, but vague and indefinite, was excited in the Princess's mind. Whichever were the cause, certain it is that the Princess gud- denly assumed an air of decision and firmness which she seldom wore on ordinary occasions; and turning to Agatha, she said, “ Give me that note.” Miss Owen dared not disobey—nor waa she even imprudent enough to show any reluctance; but at once placed the billet in kar Royal Highness’s hand. The Princeas thereuyom glanced over ite contents, which ran as follow == ‘May it please your Royal Hignness,—The writer of this is a lady who has had the honour of enjoying the ac- quaintance of your Royal Highness’s august daughter the Princess Charlotte; and she has likewise been honoured by the notico of her Roya) Highness the Princess Sophia, She is the bearer of a letter of the utmost importance from the latter Princess to your Royal Highness, and therefore most respectfully and humbly solicits an inter. viow, that she may have an opportunity of presenting the game to your Ruyal Iighneas, she being pledged to deliver that letter ento nour Royal Highness’s own hand. If your Royal Highnesgs supplant refrains from appending her name to this letter, it is for a reason which wil! be satis- factorily explained should the honour of an audience be granted.” e *Treally do not see. Miss Owen,” said the Prin- cess, With a voice and look of gentle though grav eremonstrance, “that you were justified in coming to so rapid and unchanitable a conclusion relative to the writer of this note. There is nothing on the face of it which should have led you to suppose that she wished to obtain access to me for men- dicant purposes.” 4 Your Royal Highness must surely be aware,” answered Agatha, with the coollest effrontery, “that the writers of begging letters adopt all kinds of sub- terfuges and devices-———" . “But I do not think this is a case in point,” in- terrupted the Princess, still in a tone of rebuke. * At all events———" ° “ Heaven forbid that I should venture to interpose my humble opinion, well meant though it be, in a manner disagreeable to your Royal Highness!” and as Agatha thus spoke with an assumed tone of deep humiliation, she affected alao to be hurt by her royal mistress's manner towards her, and the croco- dile tears trickled down her cheeks, “ My dear girl.” exclaimed the generous-hearted Princeas, tonched by Agatha’s apparent grief, “ not for a moment did I intend to wound your feelings! I have no doubt that you acted for the " “ As I always do, in my love and devotion towards your Royal Highness,” said Agatha, now pretend- ang to cheer up. “ But if you have resolved, ma- dam, to see this lady, permit me at all events to go and satisfy myself that she is a person who may with propriety be introduced into your royal pre- sence.” “Whoever she may be, I will see her,” said the Priucess, again speaking in a tone of decision. Then addressing the page, she said, “Go and bring that lady hnhes.. J wilt see her here.” Ee tl a ee eee EE t COMMU O) LDOC cS) CO