The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 223: what you’re looking at

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213 who was thus deliberately and coolly inventing a scene at Carlton House which had not taken place at all; for she had come direct from her own abode Square, and had not set eyes on Mra. “The moment I to Berkeley Fitsherbert for some weeks past. gait fascinating manners, that—— ceally trembling from head to foot lest I should offend your ladyship?” exclaimed the artful mil- finer, appearing to be suddenly seiged with renewed sonfusion and em “Nay—I am not eo easily chagrined or hurt,” ex- slaimed Eleanor, affecting to experience no other eentiment than that of amusement at this tittle-tattle —whereas her bosom was in reality heaving with in- leecribable emotions. “ Proceed, Mrs. Brace: you fivert me much, I can assure you.” “T thank your ladyship for relieving me of the spprehension that I might give offence,” resumed be wily milliner, who failed not to observe that the Countess was rapidly becoming more deeply inte- ested in her narrative. “I was informing your adyship that the Prince broke out into enthusiastic, —nay, [ may almost add, rapturous eulogies on your ladyabip’s style of loveliness ;—and he was sontinuing in this strain—evidently carried away oy the impulse of his feelings—when Mra Fitzher- ert interrupted him sharply. For, I do not mind ailing your ladyship,—since we have entered upon the subject,—that his Royal Highness did say enough—and far more than enough to provoke Mrs. Fitzherbert’s jealousy. In fact, as J have already aad the honour of informing your ladyship, nothing sould equal his enthusiasm.” “And what did Mra Fitzherbert say ?” inquired Eleanor, her cheeks glowing as she recalled to mind he impassioned kisses that the heir-apparent had 4uprinted on her lips when he held her in his arms en that memorable afternoon the particulars of which had never escaped her memory. “ Mrs. Fitzherbert. exclaimed, ' hnowe that Lady Desborough is one of the handsomest women in England : but you need not dwell upon ter charms, for all that !—To which the Prince re- plied, ‘ There is no harm in admiring a beautiful creature like the Countess: indeed, a man must conser a heart of stone who cannot worship female loveliness wherever it exists. —These were the prin- cipal observations that passed,” added the designing Mrs. Brace; “ and now your ladyship has compelled me to reveal everything.” “ And are you sure that there is no i im your narrative?” exclaimed Eleanor, affecting to laugh, while in reality she was deeply moved—and had the Prince been with her at that moment, and aone else present, his Royal Highness would not per- haps have been repulsed as on the former occasion. “I can assure your ladyship that I have not coloured my tale in the least,” said Mrs. Brace ia oy the bye, I am to return agsin to Carlton House | i tm the afternoon, with the patterns of the velvet for Mra. Fitsherbert’s dress.” “ Well—but what induced you to tell me that you were to return thither?” inquired the Countess of Desborough. presence that I had communicated to your ladyship Fe nT Which cocarred erenew at Cariton ouse,”’ “You cannot dream of such a thing!” ejaculated Eleanor, her pride suddenly prevailing over the tender and voluptuous thoughts which had been ex- cited in her bosom. “ Not for worlds would I have you be guilty of such an impradence! Indeed, I perceive that I was wrong to indulge in this idle gossip, Mrs. Brace,” she added haughtily. ‘* Pray forgive me for the indiscretion which I have perpetrated!” cried the milliner, appearing te he quite grieved at this sudden change in the manner of her patroness: and, in fact, she saw that she had gone a little too far. “No, my lady—I am in- capable of such conduct, I can assure you. Af the same time, it must be as galling to Mrs. Fitzsherbert to know that the Prince is desperately in love with your ladyship, as it is complimentary to you.” “You do not mean to imply that the few flattering phrases which his Royal Highness condeaceaded te utter me, denote anything of so serious a nature on his part!” said Eleanor, with a softened tone and manner. “If I were to explain my real sentiments to your ladyship, yore would only upbraid me again,” ob- served the milliner, affecting to be busied in putting on her bonnet and scarf preparatory to taking her departure. “No—I promise to be less hasty with you, my good Mra Brace,” said the Countess. “ Speak frankly and candidly: for altheugh it be but idle goesip—the mere pastime of chit-chat ---—" “ Precisely #0, my lady,” eaid the milliner. “ You have given ma permission to explain my real senti- meats? Well—I will tell you honestly and sincerely, then, how I read the feelings of his Royal Highness He loves—he adores—he worships you !” “Mra Brace, this is language which I dare net listen tof’ exclaimed Eleanor, the crimson tide flooding her cheeks—her neck—her very bosom. “Did I not say that your ladyship would only ecold me?” cried the milliner, into the most painful bewildermen todo? Your ladyship condescends to listen to me— commands me to speak frankly—and then covers me with your displeasure.” “I waa wrong, my good creature,” said the Countess of Desborough: “for I admit that I gave you encouragement to make this extraerdinary and most unexpected revelation. But how can you pos- sibly be s0 foolish as to construe into a serious sen- timent the few idle compliments which the Prince was pleaced to utter concerning me {” “Ah! my lady,” returned Mra Brace, “if you had studied human nature as profoundly as I have done, your ladyship would not be so sceptical There is a wide and cseential difference between mere passing provoke a quarrel with Mrs. Fitsherbert by exciting her jealousy? Assuredly not. The truth is, that he was carried away by his feelinge—he was borne along by the tide of rapturous emotions — and the words he uttered flowed irresistibly from his beast COMIC OO© co