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 part 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 | world, for all the world. You have been very good to mée—bdestowing 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 Maimesbury, lifting up his hands and raising his eyes in mingted horror and astonishment. “Now 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—wzy 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?” “I am 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 a 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” 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 jnst 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, “But 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 \oeral than your vaunted English one ?” exclaimed the Princess, on whose spirits a sudden damp had been thrown by this conversation. his opinions with as much dogmatic sententious.. ness as if he were “But with all those qualifications a terrible tyramy may be blended,” said the Princess ; “and really your code of etiquette strikes me as being particularily severe. It converts human beings inte mere machines.” “Bo they are in the presence of kings,” observed the Earl. “it checks all the nateral gush of pare and honest ” continued her Royal Highness. “There must be no focling save that of loyaley at Court,” said Malmesbury. “It engenders selfishness end heartlesmess,” added Caroline. “ Hearts are not known within this sphere,” re- joined the courtier. “Upon my word, I begin to think you are quite correct,” exclaimed her Royal Highness drily, as she threw herself back in the chair and stretched out her feet towards the fire. “May I humbly end respectfalty 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 Cardiine. cald—and I warm them.” “But your Royal Highness must net have cold feet,” replied Malmesbury. ‘‘How on earth am I to prevent i? exclaimed the “I cannot say. All I cam point out to your Royal Highness is that it is moonsistent with eti. quette,” was the dogmatic response “ At every tarn I am enctuntered by the word etiquette F” cried the Princess. “ And your Royal Highness must never forget te 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 is to say,” observed Caroline, bitterly, “J am henceforth to look upon my existence us being confined to one abode of sensations—and even these I dare not conjure up for ayself, 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 Malmes- bury, accompanying the objurgatory comment with the wonted grave salutation. “But every lady who has arrived at yeam of discretion — whether married or unmarried — 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?” —- CONMUC DOO (CO