The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 271: what you’re looking at

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

70% TRE MYSTERIES. Mrs. Fitsherbert and Georgiana Duchess of Devon- shire. And now Pauline Clarendon summoned al! her courage to her aid—nerved herself with all the pre- sence of mind she could possibly command-—and exerted every energy to maintain her conposure. Another moment—and she came within view of the Prince of Wales! From her cheeks fled, in an instant, the rich hues of the rose—a cold tremor struck her as if an ice- shaft had pierced her bosom—and the Earl of Des- borough felt her hand sliding from his arm. “Courage, Miss Clarendon!” he whispered was- tily : for the nobleman imagined that she was over- awed by the presence of the heir-apparent. The words recalled Pauline to herself: the colour came back to her cheeks—and she threw another rapid look towards his Royal Highness. Oh! there was not the faintest pessibility ot mie- take: ‘twas he—Mr. Harley—the seducer of her sister ! A dizziness again seized upon Pauline as this conviction burst upon her—or rather as the last glimmering of uncertainty was dissipated in a mo- ment: but with an instinctive or mechanical mo- tion she kept by the Earl’s side—measuring her pace to his—leaning lightly upon his arm—and appearing to be embarrassed only by that species of timidity which young ladies are accustomed tw fee] when introduced into the presence of Royalty. And now the Earl suddenly stopped short—and Pauline made a low obeisance because she sup posed it to be the moment to do so, as indeed it was—and she heard her own name mentioned by the Countess of Desborough who was thus pre- genting her to his Royal Highness—and then, ti- midly raising her eyes, she saw in an instant that the Prince was exerting almost superhuman efforts to conceal the trouble which agitated his coun- tenance. .. Never, until Pauline’s dying-day, did she forget the look which his Roya! Highness wore at the moment when their glances thus met. Rage— terror—amaszement—confasion—unocertainty how to act, were all depicted upon those lineaments: bat quick asthe eye could wink, they became com- posed and settled once more—seo that none present save Pauline beheld that evanescent whirlwind of conflicting feelings which swept over his features. Recovering all his presence of mind—or rather, suddenly arming himself with the courage of des- peration— George Prince of Wales addressed a few affable observations to the Cogntess of Desbo- rough—sald something particularly friendly to the Earl—and then, darting upon Pauline a look of pe- culiar significance, half imploring and half com- manding her to be silent with respect to her pre- vious knowledge of him, he at once invited her to open the ball with him. The Duchess of Devonshire and the Countess of Desborough were amized at this extraordinary and unprecedented proceeding on the part of his Rvyal Highness; and Mrs. Fitsherbert instantly became scarlet with anger. For, according to the usual etiquette, the Prince should have opened the ball with some lady of the highest rank: whereas he was about to bestow this exclusive honour upon a plain Miss, who was com- garatively unknown in the fashionable circles of the metropolis! No wonder, then, that the Duchess of Devon- shire and the Countess of Desborough were amased = but we must add that they were well pleased for Pauline’s sake also, Indeed the young lady had become a special favourite with them both; and as the former was not jealous of her royal paramour’s. proceedings, and as the latter had nothing to be jealous of in that respect, they experienced a gene— rous satisfaction at this brilliant triamph which Pauline was about to enjoy. For, in the courtly circies of those times, it was considered a grand thing for any young lady thus to attract tho atten- tion of Royalty : and doubtless the same sickening, nauseating, maudlin sentiment prevails at the pre- sent day. But Mrs. Fitsherbert could scarcely restrain her rage. First she became scarlet—then pale as o sheet; and her superb bosom stood upheaved, with the suspended breath, for nearly a minute, when it began to throb and palpitate tumultuously. For as ignorant as the others present concerning the motives which could possibly have induced the Prince to accord the honour of his hand to Miss Pauline Clarendon for the first quadrille, Mra. Pitzherbert naturally suppoeed that he was smitten with her beauty; and although she knew that he was nota saint, yet this was the first time that he had ever appeared to treat herself with such marked insult and another with such conspicuous favour in her presence. As for Pauline— overwhelmed with confusion at the unexpected invitation which she had received, she murmured a few scarcely intelligible words of thanks for the honour conferred upon her; and, ere she was half recovered from the bewilderment into which the entire proceeding had thrown her, she found the Prince proffering her his arm to lead her into the adjacent apartment, where the dancing, was to take place. The quadrille was soon formed; and many » titled lady cast envious eyes upon Pauline, as his Roya! Highness conducted her.amidst the glitter- ing throng to the head of the room. The Duchess of Devonshire and the Countess of Desborough gave their hands to partners in that first dance, which the Prin Sophia likewise graced with her presence. - ; Bat where was Mrs. Fitsherbert? Overcome with a rage to which she dared not however give vent, she had retreated precipitately from the suite of glided saloons where this magnificent entertain- ment took place. “ Pauline, I thank you for the forbearance whick you exercised towards me ere now,” whispered the Prince of Wales, while the gentle symphonies were floating through the rooms. “ You have not been attracted hither by the same motive which has brought the other moths to flit around the light of Royalty: you came to clear up a doubt—to con- firm a suspicion!” added the heir-apparent, em- phatically, although in a low voice: for he now comprehended the meaning of those portions of Lord Fiorimel’s letter which are printed in italic. “Your Royal Highneas thanks me for my fore bearance,” said Pauline, looking down and speak- ing in a tremulous tone: “but I deserve no praise for having exercised a proper control over my feelings. Think you that I obtained an introduction hither for the sake of proclaiming my sister's wrongs aloud? No: Iam not so insensate,” she GORMGOOOKS CO