The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 227: what you’re looking at

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

£14 on the of any one save her Roya! Highness,” observed the Earl of Malmesbury, with another low and measured salutation. “Are you offended, my lord?” asked Caroline, with an air of concern. “ If so, I im- plore your pardon—for I would not give you pain for all the world. You have been very good to mée—bestowing upon me the best poasible advice : and although I scarcely recollect at this moment a single point you have so strenuously laboured to impress apon me——” “What! is it possible that I understand your Royal Highness correctly?” exclaimed the Earl of Malmesbury, lifting up his hands and raising his that your Royal Highness is touching upon ths critical moment—that moment for which I so ear- nestly, anxiously, and honestly strove to prepare the mind of your Royal Highnese——°* “ Well, my dear Lord Malmesbury—my lord, I mean,” cried the Princess, hastily correcting her- self “suppose I assure you that I have retamed in my memory all the valuable advice your lord- ship has given me—will that satisfy you?” “Tam afraid your Royal Highness would be in- sincere in making such a statement after the pre- ceding avowal,” said the courtier, with a deep gravity alike of tone and manner. “I know that Tama giddy foolish creature at times, my good friend,” proceeded the Princess, in the same chatter-box tone as before: “but you must pardon me if I frankly confess that you have altogether bewildered me with the nume- rous pieces of advice you have given me on different occasions. My memory is like a sieve in that re- spect. Heigho! I wish I was at Brunswick tying up my plants and feeding my birds ™ “Your Royal Highness is guilty of s great in- discretion in expressing such a sentiment aloud— at the very moment when his Royai Highness may be approaching the door,” said the Earl, in a tone of solemn remonstrance. “But if he does not hear me, there is no harm in saying what I think 7” cried the Princess, with a look so sweetly deprecatory of the nobleman’s displeasure that had he not been a heartless cour- tier—a mere automaton capable of only just so much mechanical action and feeling as form and ceremony allowed —he would have returned the kindest answer and in the most paternal spirit to the observation of that ingenuous, candid, and un- sophisticated being. “Your Royal Highness must only say what you think when it is consistent with the strict rules of etiquette,” was the cold and worldly remark which struck upon the Princess like an ice-wind into a warm room through a suddenly opened case- ment, “Bat I presume I may think what I choose.” said Caroline. “It would be better not, your Royal Highness,” responded the courtier. “How! are not our thoughts our own in this country ?” cried the Princess in amazement. “ Assuredly not,” answered the Earl. “ We must (utvk as well as act according to fashion: nay—we must even look and move accordiny to the same rigid rule—and as for our conversation——” “Ob! then my father’s Court is actually more “veral than your vaunted English one?” exclaimed the Princess, on whose spirits a sudden damp had been thrown by this conversation. Be ee Hin, Majesty my gracious Sove- reign is the moet particular, the best and the purest with regard to morals, in all the world,” observed Lord Malmesbury, enunciating “Bo they are in the presence of kings,” observed eyes in mingied horror and astonishment. “Now | the Earl. “it checks all the nateral gush of pare and honest feelings,” continued her Royal Highness. “There must be no feeling save that of loyaley at Court,” said Malmesbury. “It on selfishness end heartlessness,” = Hearts are aut keown withla thie sphere,” 7e- joined the courtier. “Upon my word, I begin to think you are quite correct,” exclaimed her Royal , as she threw herself back in the chair and stretched out her feet towards the fire. “May I humbly and respectfally observe,” said the Earl, “thet the sttitude which yeur Royal Highness has just assamed would not be pleasing to the Prince were he to notice it.” “Why not?” demanded Caraline. cald—and I warm them.” “ My foet axe Malmesbury. ‘‘How on earth am I to prevent &?* exclaimed the Princess, “I cannot say. All I cam point out to your Royal Highness is that it is moonsistent with oti. quette,” was the dogmatic response “ At every tarn I am encountered by the word etiquette F” cried the Princess. "And your Royal Highness must never forget measure every syllable you speak, every moutitfal you eat, every step you take, every attitude you assume, every look you cast, and every letter you write, by the standard of etiquette.” “That ts to say,” observed Caroline, hitteriy, “J am henceforth to look upon my existence ms being confined to one abode of sensations—and even these I dare not conjure up for syself, but must take them as they are chosen for me. Ii have heard of the Roman vestals being immured in living tombs when they happened to ge astray——” “An unmarried lady should know nothing of women going astray,” interrupted Lord Maknes- bury, accompanying the objurgatory comment with the wonted grave saletation. “But every lady who has arrived at year of discretion — whether married or — aware that errors and faults of that kind do exist,” exclaimed Caroline; “and it would be a wretched affectation te pretend ignorance on that point. Foz my part I never do.” “ Your Royal Highness has too much candour ip your disposition,” said Malmesbury, with aa accems of grave rebuke. “Too much candour! Bat is not candour @ virtue ?” GOH GOO SS (COLUM