The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 65: what you’re looking at

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

fo mem | ee “* Then you forgive me for any indiscretion that I | fortress may be surprised and the victorywon with may have committed by so silly an allusion to your late husband?” said Florimel, not altogether believ- ing the story of the sudden indisposition. “ How- ever, we will change the conversation,” he added, ob- serving that Mrs. Brace darted upon him a look so strunge and sinister that it made him feel uneasy. “ Let us go back to the object of my visit. I was telling you, my dear friend, that for the last ten daye ease,” observed Mrs. Brace. “ Moreover, the adven- ture which I propose has in it something so roman- tic—so truly original—so piquant, to use a French expressi Iam certain beforehand of the de- light with which you will enter into it.” “My curiosity is even painfully excited,” cried the young voluptuary. , “Do you not think that you would look well in or a fortnight I have not encountered a new face | female attire f* demanded Mrs. Brace, surveying him deserving a sigh or worthy of a tender emotion ; and it struck me that you might have it in your wer——" with an arch smile. : “Oh! now I comprehend you, my dear friend?” exclaimed Florimel. “It will be delicious! A young “1 think that I can put you in the way of an ad- | lady—eeparated from her mother in a crowd—lost venture alike original and agreeable,” observed Mrs. | her way—late in the evening—dreadfully alarmed— Brace, whe had by this time recovered her wonted | implores an asylum for the night——” equanimity and affability. | “ Excellent!” cried Mra Brace. “Your lordship “Indeed {” exclaitied Lord Florimet. “Speak— | enters fully into the spirit of my meaning. And now [ am dying to bear your explanations.” that I have thus far gratified your euflosity, my dear “Have a little patience,” said the milliner, now | Florimel, you will perhaps gtant me your patience again smiling sweetly; “ and yuu shall know every- thing iu good time. A certain gay gentleman of my acquaintance has discovered in a secluded wilderness cwo of the fairest flewers that ever graced the easth with their presences.” “ Sisters, doubtless?” @bserved Florimel, faserre- gatively. “ Yes—and of a beauty eclipsing all the brifent charms that deszie the eye in the circle of fashion.” cont.::d Mire Brace. “One of these delighttul creatures { have already seen—indeed, to speak can- didly, sue fs at thie very moment beneath my £00 f—~amme!?” while I make a few very neceseary obeervatiots in eonnexion with these charming sisters. I have already told you that a certain gay gentlernan, to whose kind pétronage I am as much indebted as to your own, bas won the affections of Octavia, the elder: but de cegent reasons will prevent him from visiting her at her own abode when the father returns home, he is naturally desirous that she should con- sent to meet him Here as frequently as it may suit his fancy to receive her. It would however be a difficult task for Octavia to remain long and ofteo abeent from hore, Without having the company ot her sister ;—and I heave therefore concluded that is “You ave determined to wheedie me out of «| order to secure the connivanes of Pauline in Octavia’s hundred suinoae to-night I" exeleimed the young notieman, hie flushing end hus beamung with licemtious fires. ™ Nay—the elder sister te already deposed of,” re- turned Mre. Brace. “ While we are now conversing toxether she is receiving her fret lessen in the echoo! of Venues but the younger sister shall ye yours,” “ Artdl je the one whom you thas promise me, as charrting as the otlar!” asked the youthful velup- tuary. «| hevevot seen her yet,” responded Mra. Braes: “but I atm assared that she is eystal to her sieter— and if Cis be the case, it strikee me that your lord- oP will have at length found an object on whom our aflections will probably settle for a considerable period.” “ You enchant me!” ejaculated Florimel. “When and where can I see this angel?” “ Permit me to give you a brief but necessary ex- planation,” said the milliner. “These sisters are the children of a puor but respectable and highly con- pected gozt.m.an, whois at present away from home. Octavia, the elder, bas already fallen into good hands; —Pauline, the younger, may belong to you. Oc- tavia of course believes that her lover intends to marry her: whereas I need searcely inform you that nothing is farther from hie intention. Last night he declared his affection—to-night she has met him in this house: you may therefore imagine chat her heart is very susceptible of the tender passion. It is fair to presume that Pauline may be won with equal ease }—and no one is better calculated to achieve such & conquest than yourself” love intrigues, it io absolutely necessary that Padiine herself should be led inte a similar adventure. The two sisters will then make denfidarts of each cther— and, by acting In conesrt, will set the watehful- ness of the father at defianes: “Most admirably ssasoned!* exclaimed Lord Florimel. “Each sister being provided with a lover, | they cannot reproach each otter, but will mutually | aseiet in the defightful imtrignest I must therefore presume that Octavies gnilant hae already recom- | mended yeu-to provide a lover for Pauline; and that yeu have honoured me with the preference.” “ Octavia’s admirer consulted me upon the subject just now, before his fair one arrived,” answered Mrs Brace: “and he left it to my discretion to manage matters in such a way that his intrigue with the young lady should be enveloped in as mach my and shruuded in as much security as possible” | a | “Then I presume that he is a man of rank, gad married to a jealous wife?® said Florimel.. | “ He is a man of rank, and shortly to be married” responded Mra. Brace. “ But you know that I never mention to the gentlemen of my acquaintance any- , thing that regards each other. ‘ Honour and secrecy’ | —that is my motto, Florimel.” “Iam well aware how discreet you are on those: points, my dear friend,” observed the yourfg noble- man; “and yca will give me credit for a total abeches of curiosity relative to the affairs of other people, Little does it matter to me who or what Octavia . lover is, 80 long 28 I possess the charming Pauline | But you have not yet told me whea I am to com. | tence the pleasing adventure which so much guits * I shall undertake it with all the ardour of a most | my fancy.” | wooer,” exclaimed Lord Florimel, “In all probability to-morrow evening,” answeree “ Nay—I have thought of a scheme by which the! ifrs. Broce. “I will however send you a line in the COMmca@Oo SS COLUM