The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 341: what you’re looking at

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

eB MYSTERIES. _ a joyful aurprise it would be for you, when that lewd Boye) Highness, laconically : “but le¢ us not tall seene burst upon my eyes., Oh! fie, Georgo—I am | of sorry to have received such evidence—unmistake- ble evidence — of the vicious courses which yeu pursue.” “ Are we to retum, sire, to unpleasant subjects timation———" “Ah! Iam glad that this affair has not been f exclaimed the Prince. * Neglected—no I" cried his Majesty. “I passed my word to your friend Mr. Meagies—-Meagies— ” reiterated the King, dwelling with a species of childish pleasure upon the name. “Let me seo—to-day ’s Wednesday— Wednesday. Well —mext Saturday—bat not before, mind—you may cause it to be intimated to Mr. Clarendon that the offer of a peerage and a pension which he will receive on that same morning is a considera- tion ———” “TI understand you, my dear father—and I thank you,” interrupted his Royal Highness. “Shall I now order luncheon to be served up?” he _— by way of puttiog an end to a conversation which was growing especially tedious to him. “ No—I must take my departure,” responded the “Baim you will, my dear son,” observed hie : and, wringing the had stolen upon him, him be rang the bell violently. Germain, the faithful and discreet Freach vaiet, that I will be with her in ten minutes.” CHAPTER XCIV. €BE VICTIM OF THE ROXAL LOVER. Taz Prince of Wales repaired to his own private apartment, where he at once adopted the most ap- proved measures to restore himself to a state of King, rising from his seat. “And now, my dear | that son,” he added, his voice suddenly assuming a solemn tone,—* let me beseech you to be circum- spect in your conduct. You are about to enter the matrimonial sphere—and the eyes of the nation are upon you. Lord is about to set off for Germany in order to escort the Princess Caroline to Engiand. Thé portrait of her Serene will be sent to you in a few days—.” “ My dear father, I beg of you to abandon this topio—at least for the present,” interrupted the Prince of Wales, with an emphasis that was marked and resolute even to sternoess. * Were the Princess Caroline of Brunswick as beautiful as an angel, I could not look upon myself in any other light than alliance is a merely conventional one in which the hands and not the hearts are joined,—all these cir- stances afflict me cruelly. Indeed, I cannot bear to think of the marriage which has been planned for me—and there are times when I reooil from the idea as if it were a hideous spectre haunting my I consent to the sacrifice,” added his @ wet towel round his head, and then entered the warm bath. Issuing thence considerably refreshed, he summoned Germain, and by the aid of this. skilfal dependant, soon completed his toilette. His countenance was slightly fashed—bat it seemed rather the animation of mental excitement than the effects of wine ; and though his beain still felt somewhat heated, he did not regret this oir- cumstance, inasmuch as it inspired him with a bastard courage to encounter the lovely girl whom he had undone. Taking a last look at himself in the fall length mirror, and feeling well satisfied with his appear- ance, the Prince of Wales repaired slowly to the drawing-room to which Octavia had been shown. Yes—slowly did he proceed thither : for, in spite of the feverish hardihood that animated him, he ex- perienced a certain dread, as if his soul quailed and his heart quaked at the idea of ina few moments finding himself face to face with the confiding young woman whom he had made the victim of so black a treachery. But at length he reached the door: for a fav CONnnicboo ©) CO