The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 217: what you’re looking at

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

wd THL MYSTERIES. “J demand once more,” cried the Prince, now goaded almost to desperation, “whether you con- sider her—the Princess, I mean—a fit wife for me ?” “No—I do not,” replied Lady Jersey, speaking as if she had only brought herself by wneans of a great and repugnant effort to give uttcrance to such a response, “ Deal candidly with me,” said the Prince, in a low deep voice, as he placed himself by the side of his mistress upon the sofa. “ My brother the Duke of Clarence, who saw the Princess the year before last at Brunswick, has given me a glowing account of her beauty, her amiability, and her accomplish- ments. Moreover, a private letter which I received from Brunswick yesterday, assures me that the Princess is altogether very pleasing in personal ap- pearance—that her bust is good—that her teeth are fine—that her eyes are full of intelligence—that her bearing is dignified and majestic—and that her manners are characterised by sweetness, condescen- sion, and affability. Such isthe report which I have received : in an hour or two J shall be enabled to fudge for myself. But do, dear Jersey—do, in the meantime, delineate the portraiture of the Princess to the conception which you have formed —and tell me frankly, candidly, and unreservedly why you do not consider her a fitting wife for me.” “Yes—I will speak unreservedly, since you wish it, George,” said that fiend-like woman who wore so angelic a shape: and as she breathed those words with a voice and manner of the utmost ap- parent sincerity, she allowed her delicate hand o play earessingly with the Prince's hair. “Proceed, dearest,” observed his Royal High- ness, flattered by the seemingly improvised token of fondness thus bestowed upon him. “Explain to me frankly all your impressions concerning m future wife.” ° “ And all I have heard likewise ?” said her lady- ship, in a tone of inquiry which secmed full of art- lessness. “‘Yes—and all you have heard, provided it be from good authority,” added his Royal Highness. “But pray keep me not in suspense.” “I will not — because I love you, George—and | sympathise with you,” returned Lady Jersey, fixing upon him a look of burning desire. “In the first place, then, I must inform you that Mrs. Aston, Lord Claremont, and myself, in pursuance of your instructions, repaired yesterday to Greenwich to re- ceive her Royal Highness on her landing. ‘The royal yacht did not however arrive at Greenwich from Gravesend until about ten o'clock this morning; aud the Princess landed at the Hospital. Her Royal Highness was received by the Governor, who had refreshments preparcd; and I was then enabled to study the appearance of the Princess with some de. gree of attention. Her countenance may certainly be called pretty: but it is not expessive of either softness or intelligence. Her eyes are fine, but havea bold look. Her teeth are good in front; but the back ones are decayed——” “You do not mean that ”” exclaimed the Prince, starting with an irrepressible feeling of disgust. “I not only observed it when her Royal Hiszh- ness laughed heartily, which she did ou two or three occasions during the lunche»n,” said Lady Jersey ; “but Mrs. Warcourt, the Bed.chamber Wo:nan who has accompanied her Royal Highness from Brunswick, subsequently assured me that such was the fact. Indeed - if I dared mention the anecdote ——But no—” “Tell me what is now upperinost in your mind, Frances—I insist upon it!” exclaimed the Prinoe, with passionate vehemence. ‘ Nay—I even com- mand you,” he added, in a stiJl more excited manner when he saw that her ladyship was hesitating. “ But the anecdote was told to me in strict con- fidence by Mrs. Harcourt,” urged the syren, thus artfully goading the Prince's curiosity to an into- lerable degree of poignancy. “And you will likewise tell it to me in strict confidence,” was the heir-apparent’s rejoinder. “Well, if you force me to be thus explicit, I must yield,” said the designing creature, affecting to heave a profound sigh. “The truth is, then, that (Qing the journey from Brunswick—or rather when the royal party was stopping at Osnabruck —the Princess had a decayed tooth drawn; and she sent it, wrapped up in a piece of paper, to Lord Malmesbury,”* “By God! if this were really trae! exclaimed his Royal Highness, springing from the sofa in a state of almost wild excitement. “T have told you the anecdote, George, precisely as it was related to me,” said Lady Jersey, assuming a low and mournful tone, as if she were gricved at having beet compelled to repeat such a tale. “Oh! this is too much—too much! cried the Prince, now pacing tw and fro in the greatest ngi- tation. “Such a piece of disgusting “‘delicacy affords a key to the reading of the entire haracter | of this woman whom I am expected to cherish as my | —We pears © e«<Giabuis «= «= oan Qh eee «ee - OEE wife! ButI must compose myself—I must subdue my feelings——” “Yes, you must summon all your couraye and presence of mind to your aid, my well-beloved | friend,” said the Countess of Jersey, now approach- ing the Prince and taking his hand ge~¢ly in both her own. | “Then you have more to tell me ?” he exclaimed, suffering her to lead him back to the sofa. “ And now proceed, Jersey—tell me me ali—everything !" he added, as soon as they were again seated side by side. “I was describing to you the Princess's personal appearance,” resumed the artful lady. “ Her hair is what may politely and flatteringly be called a light auburn: but, Were it seen upon the head of a servant girl, we should plainly and undisguisedly denominate it red. Her eye-brows are very light — indeed she has scarcely any. Her nose is bold and masculine— her lips are somewhat coarse. Hor stature is short—decidedly short ; and her figure is common and vuigar. You will pardon me for bemy thus explicit, George : but as you have insisted on hearing a description of my first impressions, I am ® The Earlof Maimesbury was sent spec ally to Bruns- wick to demand the hand of the Princess Caroline on be- half of the Prince of Wales. He likewise escorted the Princess to England ; and his very curious “ Diaries and Correspondence” have recently been published, in four volames, by Mr. Bentley of New Burlington Street. He waen> true friend to the Princesse, and was a heartless, selfish, dissipited, self-sufficient, and impertinent arlete- crat. The following memorandum appears in bis Diary (Vol. LI, page 20)):—" Princess Caroline has a tooth draxn: she sends it downto me by her page—nasty anc ind licate (” | ecomilcooolks