The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 270: what you’re looking at

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TRE. MUSTER) ES. 259 | something of a nsture which she wauld fain qpnceal | though from such widely. different cangea—tinged end whieh, she -tresabled te bave- made knpwp.. “Yous ladyehip sees that I canngt entay date par-. ticylass here, nex at preaent,’ sumed Mra Brace: then, pausing as if to reflect upep what aouree it weoukl be better ta pursue, and in another. moment seenmng te be. inspired wih ap ides, she aid, “ At midnight precisely you, cep steal fram, the ball- TOOMNI6~-0n any pretence-7~RD ome, will perpmive you: and if youn ladyship wil] then: repair-to the aatramity of the leng: peseage leading-from ‘the greet leading, k.-wild bo there, Bat come alone, for ta youn or euly-must I beeathe the communivation which I thave to make” “T will be there—at midnight—pun ctually,” mar- mured Hheaner, her aioe hearae and:thick. * Give me a glass of wates.” The .milliner hastened ‘to comply with this de- qamand; and the impid element ent hissing down ‘the perched throat of the Ceuntess.of D “Te your ladyship better ¢” inquized Mas, Brace, as che veesi ved back the glass. “ ¥es—I shank you,”-responded Eleanes : and, by desperate effort, she overeame hes emotions “At all events. you assure me,” she whiapered mpidly to the millines, ¥ that the.evil-~whatever & ia--can be averted!” “ Franquillies yourself completely on, that head, my lady,” said Mra. ‘Brace. “J will—I must,” observed the Countesa, “At «nidnight.-punctually.”” And heving darted « siguificant look upon the déntliner, whoen smeerity she no ienger thought of eabting, Eleanos turned ta rejoin Pauline Claren- dee. Thie young lady's. hair had required seme little adjuermem, which bad just eagaged the three on four «ninates ceeupied by the abeve rapidly whispered dialegue between the Countesa and Mrs. Bago. It was now for the first time thas the millipes.eb- | served that Edeaner’acompanion was, naneother. than Pauline Clarendon; for when the two ladics bad entered: the room, Mrs. Brace. was a0 intent upon affording the Conntesa ber afficioug aid that she had not even thought af darting a glance-at the beanteous | Hi exeatuve who was vath her. But naw Mrs,.Baace eecognised Pauline imamadiately-—netonly-qnaceennt | of her marvellous likeness te bey siater Octavia, but alse frem the:fact of having seen them tegether on that moming when Camilla Morton had delivered the nete at the hease of Lord Fleximel, On-thus secegnising the younger Miss Clarendon, a painful conviction instantly sprang.up.ia, the uail- tiner’s mind-that something was wrong, and that the -plet, as Flovimel's letter -had warned her, was indeed. thickening. Dut what eould shedo? Nothing: snatters must take their ehance ;--and, howavrer great ‘her anxiety and suspense now were, there.waa no alternative but te await the gradual development of ¢etroumstances-as they should ocenr. Ia the meantime,—while the hawildeved Mra Brace was thas giving way to her hurried and agi- tated refiections,- Eleanor and Pauline had issued from the toilette-chamhber and rejoined the Earl: thep, the former leaning on bik right arwa, and the latter on hie left, they arossed the Janding ta the mag- \ mificent saloons frem the open partels of -which etreamed the warm-and perfumed atmosphere Glorioesly handseme appeared the Countess of Desborough -~ bewitehingly beautiful was Payline Clarendon. The agitation whieh each expericaced their cheeks with a roseate hue, which set off in moe dazzling contraat the fairer and softer tints. But Bleanar’s olive complexion logked rich and glowing, thaugh of transparent purity, with her own heightened cqlour and: in that blaze of golden lustre: while no thing cquld be whiter or more polished in the shape of living flesh than the Srehead, neck, and Seem, of Misa.Clarendan. How ayperb was Eleanor in her beauty—how fas- gmating was Pauline in her.loveliness! The former seemed ag if she were able to rayish a heart with one glance af her splendid black eyes-+the other to steal it away with, her agft and witching looks. And now, as they entered those rooms where all was m blage of attractions.and en, assemblage of charms, ~wyet were they not lost in the bright galaxy: but they stood aut from the radiant sphere aa stars of an equa] glory with nis Fitgherbert, the Duchess ef Devonghing, or the Princess Sophia, rryy CHARTER LARIV. TER RALIGEOQN. Tz was.te,the Pcincess Sophia that the Earl of Des bornugh,.the Countess,.and Miss Pauling Clarendon, firs paid their homage. Her Beyal Mizhness secaived Eleangr with a siaterly cordiality, and gave a mast kind and flatter- we welcpme tq Pauline. Indeed, the, ladies and nables in thet apaxtment were, astonished at, the extreme air of friendliness and even fami- liarity with which the Princess proffered her hand to Miga Clarendon; gpd whjsperingly they asked each other Who.ahe wag. This avery Was g09n angwered by some young nobleman who had seen and admired her at Lord Maxchmont's ball; and a genera] apxiety prevailed to hecame acquainted with a young aa who ap- peared to. enjoy the highest favour with her Royal ghuess the Princess Sophia. Lard Florime), who had already arrived, was now speedily by the side of Pauline: but she was not as yet, able.to.take.his arm, inasmuch asit was neces- mary that she shauid remain with the Earl and Countess.of Desborough until after the presentation to the Prince of Wales, Florimel saw that, beneath an axtexior apparently calm, a considerable agitation and excitement prexeiled in the bosom of the charm- ing ereature whom he loved so devotedly; and he aeized an opportunity to whisper a few reassuring words in her ears, “Be net uneasy on my account, dear Gabriel,” she hastilx but tenderly responded; “there will be no, acene-—no betyayal of anything extraordinary ;— — for I am already prepared to knaw the worst in re apect to my unfortunate sister.” Jlorimel threw upon her a look full of affection ; and Pauline rapidly returned it, as she again took the proffered arm of the Earl of Desborough, who was now about to conduct herself and the Countess inte-the presence of hia Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. 2. ee eee Amidst the brilliant assemblage they passed ;—an in.a few minutes they crossed the threshold of the ne folded partals leading into the room where the heir- apparent was conversing, as already described, witle . COMIC MOOOLSE