The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 273: what you’re looking at

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

= | deep blush apseading over-her countenance, “that I am, one of those vain and sijjy women whe weald glosy-in their very frailty. sa long as it was a Prince that seduced them inte error." ¢ Trapquillies yourself, deareet Pauline,” saz Fio- gimel: “to the eyes of all this glistesing throng there was nothing peculiar ia .yeur looks er manoer—no- ahieg ta encoursge:a belief that his Royal Highness ‘wasaddressing you eberwisethan in the usual atraip of empty compliment and fesivolous gallantry which ‘poewail at.sych scones as.this, Bat:to me, Paaline— | F: 40, me, who am yeur loves--your adorer<your in- tended husband,--aad who likewise was aware of the |- mactiwe-ahiok brought yen hither,;—-to--me, 1 spy, was different; and I saw that your cheeks finehed -gesnetimes—dthen grew pale suddeniy,—I aaw also that you were profoundly excited im-reality, though weaving an exterior of caknness and-tranquillity. Yes wall this | ebserva), my Pauline-—and I pitied you.” “Dearest Gabriel! your kind words recompepse ane fee much of:the painazhioh I have just endured,” endthe-young lady. “ But weshall be observed if we continue tediscousesinastyle thatis naturally accom- panied by a.kindred seriousness of the couptenance Come,” she added, a brilliant smile animating her lonely featuves ; ‘give mo your arm and let us take our plese in the quadsiie-whieh is now ferming— for I presume that we are to dance togethes this time” And the bright. and heautiful pair rose from their eeats to join the second quadrille. In the. meantime the Prince of Wales, on leaving Pauline, bethought himeelf of the gudden and abrupt mannez in which he had lef Mra. Kitsherbert some ¢menty minutes previeusly; and it now strack him Ahat che wae probably offended at the favour which he hadshown to Missa Clarendon in eeleoting her as his partner, instead of some lady of high rank, for the first. quadrille. therefore, to the room where he had previonsly been seated with Dire. Pitzherbert, be. jooked round for her in vail; and having traversed theentire suite of splendid saloone without perceiving: her, he accested the Duchess of Devonebire fer: in- formation. Drawing her Graee aside trom a group of ladies with whom she was conversing, the Prinee <eaid, “ Where is Mra. Fiteberbert ?” “Indeed, I have not eson her sinog the commence- ment of the fist quadsille,” anewered Georgians. “ And now that I recollect, she did not dance——" “TI can understand it a}i,” intevrupted the Prine, in a tone of vexation: she i is offended with me, be- cause I choseto honour Miss Pauline Clarendon by selecting hez for that quadrillo—and she has doubt- less retired to ber.own apartment in a pet. Now, my dear Georgiana, you must go and persuade her to return ere her absence be so prolonged asto eceasion unpleasant comment.” “I had rather-'that your Royal Highness would find me a more agreeable empleyment,” eaid the Duchess, pouting her beauteous lips: “ for to tell you the truth,” she added, sinking her voice to a low whisper, and fixing upon hi:n a significant look, “ it in no pleasant task to act as peace-maker between Sushend and wife.” “ Georgiana,” said the Prirtee, likewise in a low tone, but with almost a savage emphasis, and cer- tainly with a feroeious look, “I eommand you not to speak thus of nyself and Mrs. Fitaherbert.” “{ was only anxious tohear whet you would say in reply,” ebserved the epsightiy Duchess, by ne means abached, but wathan enchanting gaiety of tqne end manner and a apecies.of wicked, e eehicl lovee archness which rendered her beautiful countenance -absohately radiant at-the moment. “ Hewerer,” she eaclaimed, tapping the Pxipec’s arm with her fan,— “soce I have ‘sendered you angry, I will endessour . had set affoat in regard to her, | We have already observed that Eleanor. leolged perfectly epleadid om the present occasion; and the royal voluptuary was Gred with a doevearing passion as his eyes now followed that magnificent ferm-whick scemed 40 glow with ajl the ardour of ite own temperament benggth thecneiting influence | ofthe Muse Terpeichare. | Apxious te:leasn whethen Mrs.:‘Beace had sac- ceeded in playing the part entrusted ¢o her, the ‘Prévee quitted the ball.zcem~~teaversed:she land-— ing—end entered a private chamber, whave a page was in attendance. This youth was despatehed to. summon Mire. Brace this reyal magter's presence ;_ | end in 9 few minates the milliner made her ap- “ What news concerning the chasming Eleanor ?” said tha, Prince, the moment they: wese alene to- gether. | “dier ladyship: has fallen into the snare,” responded the anprincipled woman; “and | she will dheet me at miinight im the appemted place.” “So. fax, se-good exclaimed his Royal High- ness: then, referring te his watoh, he observed, “It ie new -half-past eleven o'cleck— mind you are pusctaal at your: - | “Fear nathing on that head,” returned Mra. Brace. “So fr as the matter depends upon me, ) the beautiful Countess of ugh will be in your power! Phat che also will be punctual, I have ne doubs: fv the mysterious words which, accord- | ing to your imefrections, I breathed im her ears, produced a magical effect. With all her pride — and display of views, thas haughty Indy is sot immaculate: copssious of some frailty, ske t#em- bles lest her seeret be already known. Otherwise she wauld aever heve fallen inte the trap which has thie aight been set to ensnare her.” “O charming Bieanor,” exclaimed the Prince, carried away by the violence of his lieentieus long- ing,—* within an hour shall [ olasp thee in my arms— within an hour shall [ have revelled in thy beauties * “ And is it possible that your Royal Highness can thus give free course to these thoughts and hopes, while a terelble danger appears to be menacing you” demanded dirs. Brace: “for surely you muss have already seen Pauline Clarendon here to- night?—and can her visit bode any good to you ?” ‘Tt have seen her—and no daager is to be ap- orehendad for the moment,” answered the Prince SEE Ge: <2 eee Oe = aa CORNICE OOO ‘SS (CO)