The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 373: what you’re looking at

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364 when she found that the arrival was not the one which she was evidently awaiting in deep suspense. Resuming her seat upon the sofa, the beauteous Pauline gave way to her sorrowful meditations: but from time to time she looked at her watch—that very watch which Lady Desborough had presented to her at the villa in the Edgeware Road. At length she observed that it was mid-day—and the excitement of suspenss atid impatience was be- coming intolerable. Drawing forth a note from her bosom, she read it with attention; and the tears fell from her efes, moistening the page with their peariy shower. The contents of this letter were as follow :— * Cariton House, Wednesday afternoon. “My Dean Miss Pav.inr, . “] regret—deeply regret—to be compelled to address you upon a most unpleasant subject: but I implore you to tranquillise yourself and listen to the good counsel which Lord Florimel will give you. Poor Octavia called upon me just now. That she was about to take this step, you were doubtless aware. Need I assure you that I received her with kindness—and that I said all I could to console her? But her excitement grew alarming ; and she became very ill. F the Duchess of Devonshire arrived at the moment; and her Grace (with whom Iam charmed to find that you are acquainted) volunteered to take charge of the dear girl. To this proposal I readily assented, fearful that if Octavia were conveyed home immediately, your father would inevitably discover all! The Duchess of Devonshire has therefore taken your dear sister to a secluded villa which her Grace possesses at a little distance from London; and there can be no doubt that in two or three days Octavia will be completely restored to health. The moment her Grace had departed with your sister, I sent for Lord Florimel, to whom I candidly narrated what had oc- curred,—-deeming him to be the most proper person to break the intelligence to you, and advise with you how to account to your father for Octavia’s temporary ab- sence from home. His lordship kindly and prumptly undertook this task: but he requested me to pen a few lines to you, of which he offered to become the bearer. Hence this brief note. “I should add that her Grace of Devonsbire has pro mised to visit you on Gaturday next, in the forenoc~—so valescence, or else have the pleasure of restoring Octavia altogether to your arms. “That this latter alternative may be the one which next Satufday morning will see accomplished, is a wish that comes from the heart of “ Your affectionate friend, “GEORGE P.” Sach was the letter from the Prince of Wales which Pauline Clarendon now read. As the reader may observe by the heading, it was written on the preceding Wednesday afternoon—a couple of hours after the terrible scene which occurred at Carlton House in respect to Octavia. And why did the young lady now refer to it again? Simply to assure herself that the visit of the Duchess of Devonshire was indeed promised for the forenoon of this Saturday on which we find her so anxiously awaiting the arrival of her Grace. Scaroely had she read the contents of that page which in a few moments became moistened with her tears, when a carriage stopped at the door. Thrust- ing the letter in her boeom, Pauline hurried to the window; and a faint smile of satisfaction appeared upon her lips, as she beheld her devoted lover Lord Fiorimel descend. Another minute—and she was clasped iu his arma. @ THE MYSTERIES. “What news of Octavia, my dearest Pautmef” ne demanded, leading her to a -eat and placing hint< self by her side: then, perceiving that her counte- nance bore traces of recent weeping, he exclaimed, ere she had time to reply, “ Alas! nothing satisfac- tory, I am afraid. But tell me, Pauline—has any additional intelligence reached you ?” “None, dear Gabriel,” was the answer. * You are aware that the Duchess of Devonshire was to call this morning: but it is now past wid-day—~ and she has not yet made her appearance.” “ Her Grace will be sure to come, beloved girl,” said Florimel, speaking in his most soothing tone and lavishing the tenderest caresses upon the charming creature on whom his affections were so devuutly fixed. “Let as hope for the best.” “Qh! I am almost wearied of indulging in hope concerning this fatal amour of my unhappy sister with the Prince,” exclaimed Pauline, reposing her beanteous head upon her lover’s shoulder and press- ing her hand in both her own. “I tremble for the consequences, Gabriel. What can I do, if her Grace should not come ?—or how am I to act in the still more embarrassing position in which I shall be placed if Octavia do not return home well in health and comparatively traoquillised in mind? Must I not fly to her and offer the consolations of a sister? —and yet how can I leave my father unattended by either of his daughters? Moreover, such a step on my part would probably engender suspicions in his mind——” “But he is aware that Octavia is staying with the Duchess—is he not 7” inquired Florimel. “Yes,” was the answer. “ He does not however suspect that she is ill—much less that she has any- thing so very dreadful preying upon her mind. And I feel, Gabriel, as if I were playing a treache- rous and false part towards my father,” continued Pauline, in a tone of deep feeling and earnest sin- cerity : “it seems to me that [am culpable of great dunlicity and falsehood in concealing from him the real truth. Nevertheless, that truth | dare not avow: for if my father’s suspicions were once excited, he would pursue his inquiries and investigation until be had fathomed the whole affair in all its lamen- table detaila, And there is another source of un- easiness which I experience,” observed Pauline, after a few moments’ pause; “which is, that the real extent of Octavia's iliness was not made known tome. From the moment that you delivered the Prince's letter into my hands last Wednesday after- noon, I have been tortured with misgivings to the effect that Octavia is worse than his Royal High- ness represented. What did he tell you, Gabriel ? —do you really believe that his note contained the entire truth, and that nothing still more unfavour- able was concealed *” “The Prince gave me precisely the same account which was contained in his letter, dear Pauline,” answered Lord Florimel. “I repeated to you word for word all he said to me: bat if you wish, I will tell it to you over again.” At this moment a loud double knock resounded through the house; and Pauline rushed to the window. A carriage, with a dacal coroné& upon the panels, was standing at the door—and the Duchess of Devonshire immediately alighted. But she was alone—Octavia was not with her—and Pauline® heart sank with a sickening sensation in her bosom. The Duchess was conducted te the drawing-roem rrr rreeereneereinaenatoe eee, rr Te GEORG OOOXS co