The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 123: what you’re looking at

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

‘ite WYSTERIES. © réteen to that once Happy homté. Both the Prince and Lord Florimel are aware that we onde resiiéd there: but they would never think of seek- ing me in way former abodd. It is consequently my ihtehtion to repair thither presently atrd abctrtaiu if the howe which we lately occupied is still to let.” “Indeed, mry dear Pauline, you shall not take that trouble apon yourself,” exclaimed Georgiana. “You shall repose a few hours longer: for you are doubtless fatigued in body as well as in mind—and your breakfast shall be sent up to you in a few minutes. At mid-day you shall accompany me in the carriage to see all that 1 may have done for you in the meantime,—and then you shall hasten to Aylesbury to fetch Octavia.” Having thus spoken, the good-hearted Duchess kissed Pauline’s cheek with a pure sisterly affection, and then hurried from the room to escape the ex- pressions of gratitude which the young lady, with tears streaming down her countenance, began to utter in @ voice broiren by emotions. Iu about a quarter of an hour a female servant made her appearance with a silver tray covered with the materials for an excellent breakfast: but poor Pauline had né appetite for any of the luxuries thus provided. Having partaken, however, of a cup of chocolate, she requested writing materials to be brought to her; and she also desired that a mes- senger might be sent to the fancy-dress warehouse to procare the apparel which she had left there on the preceding evening. These instructions were complied with; and having risen from the sump- tuous couch and performed her tuilette, Pauline sat down to pen a few lines to Lord Florimel. Then, as she pondered — painfully pondered— upon the style which she ought to adopt, the words uttered by the Gipsy-masque at the theatre on the preceding evening, recurred to her memory ;— and she slowly repeated them over to herself. “ When a virtuous woman's dignity is offended by @ faithices lover, she does not writea long letter of mingled complaint, upbraiding, and reproach: but she pens a few laconic words, him to seek her presence no more, and leaving him to cal- culate and weigh all the motives whieh have sug- gested a proceeding at once so dignified and im- pertous » . And, her mind yielding to the bias of these sug- gestions, she indited a letter in the spirit thereof: but the precise nature of its contents will be ex- plained hereafter. Securing the billet in the bosom of her dress, to be posted only when her removal into her con- templated seclusion should have taken place, Pau- line anxiously awaited the return of the Dachess. Punetual to her promise, the beautiful and gene- rous-hearted Georgiana repaired to the young lady’s chamber, ready apparelled in her earriage- dress ; and, the vehicle being in attendance, they iasued forth together. On being seated in the carriage, the Duchess ordered the coachman to drive to Paradise Villas, Edgeware Road: then, as the vehicle rolled away from Devonshire House, she turned with an arch smile towards Pauline, observing, “* The three hours which have elapsed since I left you, my dear friend, have not been wasted, es you shall presently see. His Grace, whom I made acquainted with the par- pose which I entertained on your behalf, instan- taneously despatched tris ageirt to talte the business if hand; and considetable progress is no already made in the matter.” Hs P could omfy express her gratitede by teare: for her feelings wers too deeply touched to allow the utterance of words. The Duchess con- tinged to discourse with her it the kindest manner ; atid in 4 shott time the carriage stopped in front of Paradise Villas. From the window did Pauline cast her looks a¢ the house where she had spent so many happy @ays,—the house in which she had first become acquainted with Florimel,—the house, too, where the Prince of Wales, under the name of Mr. Harley, had poured his insidious love-tales into fhe ears of her sister. There was much of mingled bitterness and pleasure in the reminis- cences thus suddenly called up in the young lady's mind; but, even if the latter feeling did not alto- gether predominate, there was nevertheless a me- lancholy charm in the prospect of returning to,an abode she had once loved and every feature of which was so familiar to her recollection. On alighting from the carriage, the Duchesa and Pautine entered the house, the door of which was standing open ;—and in the front parlour they found two respectable-looking elderly gentlemen, both of whom saluted Georgiana with the profoundeat re- spect. One of them wasthe Duke of Devonshire’s agent—and the other his solicitor; and in thie cape- city were they forthwith introduced to Pauline. But before there was leisure to exchange a word upon matters of business, a waggon, laden with far- niture, stopped in front of the house ;—and Pauline, now fuily comprehending all the generous zeal which Georgiana had exercised in her behalf, threw herself upon that noble lady’s bosom and wept plenteously. The agent and the attorney were much moved by this pathetic scene ;—and when that first ebuillition of feeling was expended, Pauline was enabled to bestow her attention to the men of business In a few words the agent informed her that, im- mediately upon receiving the Duke’s imstruetions at nine o'clock that morning, he bad ascertained who was the proprietor of the house in question; and, being fortunate enough to find that individual at home, the projected transaction was speedily ar- ranged between them. In fine, the house had been purchased in the name of Miss Pauline Clarendon ; and the Duke's attorney had been called in to aserst in the drawing up of a provisional deed making over the property to the young lady, until the more formal and elaborate conveyance could be effected. In the meantime the Duke’s upholsterer had re~ ceived certain instruotions, the result of which was the arrival of the waggon laden with furniture, and attended by several men to put down the carpets and fit up the enéfre premises as promptly as many hands could work and money could inspire them with the requisite acuity. Vain were it to attempt to describe the mingled joy amd gratitude of Pauline on receiving all these munificent proofs of the friendship entertained for her by the Duchess of Devonshire: suffice it to say that if her worde felt short in expressing her feelings, her looks made up for the deficiency. And the noble lady—the authoress of this generous work—what were her emotions? Qh! never until then had she experienced se full and prefound an appreciation ef the value ef riches as & means to do good ;—aad many a frailty—-many az errer—many a fault,—aye ElOOO® SS