The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 223: what you’re looking at

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213 THB MYETERIES. who was thus deliberately and coolly inventing a scene at Carlton House which had not take place at all; for she had come direct from her own abode to Berkeley Square, and had not set eyes on Mra. Fitsherbert for some weeks past. “The moment I gait fascinating manners, ceally trembling from head to foot lest I should offend your ladyship?” exclaimed the artful mil- finer, appearing to be suddenly seised with renewed sonfusion and embarrassment. “Nay—I am not so easily chagrined or hurt,” ex- slaimed Eleanor, affecting to experience no other eeontiment than that of amusement at this tittle-tattle —whereas her bosom was in reality heaving with in- leecribable emotions. “Proceed, Mrs. Brace: you livert me much, I can assure you.” “I thank your ladyship for relieving me of the spprehension that I might give offence,” resumed be wily milliner, who failed not to observe that the Countess was rapidly becoming more deeply inte- ‘ested in her narrative. “I was informing your adyship that the Prince broke out into enthusiastic, —nay, [ may almost add, rapturous eulogies on our ladyabip’s style of loveliness ;—and he was sontinuing in this strain—evidently carried away oy the impulse of his feelings—when Mra Fitzher- ert interrupted him sharply. For, I do not mind ailing your ladyship,—since we have entered upon the subject,—that his Royal Highness did say enough—and far more than enough to provoke Mrs. Fitzherbert’s jealousy. In fact, as J have already aad the honour of informing your ladyship, nothing sould equal his enthusiasm.” “And what did Mra Fitsherbert say ?” inquired Eleanor, her cheeks glowing as she recalled to mind he impassioned kisses that the beir-apparent had 4uprinted on her lips when he held her in his arms en that memorable afternoon the particulars of }li which had never escaped her memory. “ Mrs. Fitzherbert. exclaimed, ' hnowe that Lady Desborough is one of the handsomest women in England : but you need not dwell upon Ser charms, for all that To which the Prince re- plied, ‘ There is no harm in admiring a beautiful creature like the Countess: indeed, a man must soseess a heart of stone who cannot worship female loveliness wherever it exists.’ —These were the prin- cipal obeervations that passed,” added the designing Mrs. Brace; “ and now your ladyship has compelled me to reveal everything.” “ And are you sure that there is no i im your narrative!” exclaimed Eleanor, affecting to laugh, while in reality she was deeply moved—and had the Prince been with her at that moment, and aone else present, his Royal Highness would not per- haps have been repulsed as on the former occasion. “I can assure your ladyship that I have not coloured my tale in the least,” said Mrs. Brace. ,, by the bye, I am to return again to Carlton Honse tm the afternoon, with the patterns of the velvet for Mra. Fitsherbert's dress.” “'Well—but what induced you to tell me that you were to return thither?” inquired the Countess of Desborough. presence that I had communicated to your ladyship Fee name which cocarred ere new ot Carlton ouse.”’ “You cannot dream of such a thing!" ejaculated Eleanor, her pride suddenly prevailing ovec the tender and voluptuous thoughts which had been ex- cited in her bosom. “ Not for worlds would I have you be guilty of such an impradence! Indeed, I perceive that I was wrong to indulge in this idle gossip, Mrs. Brace,” she added haughtily. “ Pray forgive me for the indiscretion which I have perpetrated!” cried the milliner, appearing te be quite grieved at this sudden change in the manner of her patroness: and, in fact, she saw that she had gone a little too far. “No, my lady—I am in- capable of such conduct, I can assure you. Af the same time, it must be as galling to Mrs. Fitsherbert to know that the Prince is desperately in love with your ladyship, as it is complimentary to you.” “You do not mean to imply that the few flattering phrases which his Royal Highness condeaceaded to utter concerning me, denote anything of so serious a nature on his part!” said Eleanor, with a softened tone and manner. “If I were to explain my real sentiments to your ladyship, yon wee would only upbraid me again,” ob- served the milliner, affecting to be busied in putting on her bonnet and scarf preparatory to taking her departure. “No—I promise to be lees hasty with you, my good Mra Brace,” said the Countess. “Speak frankly and candidly: for altheugh it be bat idle goemp—the mere pestime of chit-chat ——~" O Precisely ao, my lady,” eaid the milliner. “ You have given ma permission to explain my real senti- meats? Well—I will tell you honestly and sincerely, then, how I read the feelings of his Royal Highness He loven—he adores—he worsbipe you 1” flooding her cheeke—her neck—her very bosom. ecold me?” cried the muilliner, into the most painfal bewildermen todo? Your ladyship condescends to listen to me— commands me to speak frankly—and then covers me with your displeasure.” “I was wrong, my good creature,” said the Countess of Desborough: “for I admit that I gave you encouragement te make this extraordinary and most unexpected revelation. But how can you pos- sibly be so foolish as to construe into a serious sen- timent the few idle compliments which the Prince was pleased to utter concerning me !” “Ah! my lady,” returned Mrs. Brace, “if you had studied human nature as profoundly es I have done, your ladyship would not be sosceptical There is a wide and eseential d difference between mere passing flattery and those enthusiastic praises. which come from the heart. Think you, my lady, that the Prince, in a moment of perfect good temper, would wantonly provoke a quarrel with Mrs. Fitsherbert by exciting her jealousy? Assuredly not. The truth is, that he was carried away by his feelinge—he was borne along by the tide of rapturous emotions — and the words he uttered flowed irresistibly from his beast COMIC OO© co