The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 355: what you’re looking at

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

} r ee ere ra Pe SE g — UE gr reer eg aang aa a TT IIT EE AIS, Ee TS TT a ‘ THEA MYSTERIES. bet which we shall reproduce in this place, as the precise terms in which it was worded may have escaped the memory of the reader :— “Lord Florimel is unfaithful to you. While affect- ing a compiete reformation in his conduct, his private Hfe le as profligate ss ever; but his intrigues are carried on with a greater circumspection. To-morrow night he will be present at a masquerade at Covent Garden Theatre, disguised in a blue domino edged with a pecu- liar braiding and having a star of the same material on the top or crown of the hood. The object of his visit to that scene is a new love-intrigue; and you may convince yourself with your own eyes that such is the fact. The writer of this note is enimated by no other desire than a sincere wish to prevent so much virtue, generous con- fidence, amiability, and candour being sacrificed to such profound hypocrisy, such foul deceit, and such unpar- doneble treachery: for by all those virtues are you cha- racterised—and by all these faults is Lord Florimel dis- tinguished. ~ “Well aware that you are so utterly unacquainted with all the arts of London dissipation, as to be ignorant even how to proceed in order to procure at so sbort a notice a suitable disguise for the purpose which this let- ter naturally suggests, the writer has made the neces- sary arrangements at a respectable fancy-dress ware- house in Londun (the card of which Is enclosed). The mistress of the establishment will have a chamber pre- pared for you to perform your toilette in the strictest privacy; and you can proceed thence in a hackney- coach to the theatre, which is at no great distance from the warehouse. “QOne word more. The writer positively and earnestly enjoins you not to address a syllable of reproach to Lord Florimel within the walls of the theatre. You are even forbidden to accost him in s manner that may enable him to guess who you are. On the contrary, you must restrain your feelings and take time to deliberate upon the proper course to be subsequently pursued.” “That last paragraph, Pauline,” exclaimed Lord Fiorimel, indignantly, when he had terminated the perusal of the letter, “must serve to convince you that I was not the wearer of the blue domino at the masquerade. Read it—examine it thoroughly : sce how carefully it is worded—and how energetic is the caution that it conveys! Why were you not to address the wearer of the biue domino in a ‘manner that would provoke reply? Because any conversation that might have occurred between you, would have led to the discovery that a scan- dalous trick had been practised upon you and that I was not the masque whom you accosted.” “ Yes—the truth is apparent xow, Gabriel,” said Pauline, fixing her eyes tenderly upon her lover: “and again do I implore your pardon for the readiness with which I yielled to the suspicions so wickedly excited and so artfully maintained. And now that I bethink me, there was a female masque, disguised as a Gipsy, who accosted me on that memorable evening and avowed the authorship of the anonymous letter. I questioned her concern- ing the motive which had induced her to warn me ayainst holding any discourse with the Blue Domino; and ] remember that her tone was fero- cious, vindictive, and malignant in the extreme, as she rep'ied that those were ker secrets! Moreover, it was she herself who deliberately suggested the very terms in which I ought to convey to you the intimation that everything was at an end between us.” “The wretch!” murmured Florimel, between his set teeth. “But did you catch a glimpse of her countenance ?” he inquired. “I noticed that she had fine dark eyes, which flashed through the holes of her mask,” said Pan- line, —“ brilliant teeth and black hair. Herstature was short; but she was gracefully formed—and she was evidently quite young.” “Enough!” exclaimed Florimel: “’tis she—the unfortunate girl——and I merited all her vin- dictiveness! But once more do I fall upon my knees in your presence, Pauline,” he cried in an impassioned tone; “and never shall I rise until I have confessed my errors—my misdeeds—and re- ceived your full pardon ™ ‘No, Gabriel—you shall make no confession to me!” exclaimed the generous hearted Pauline. “Rise—I will not listen to one word of self- crimination from your lips. I have been harsh— precipitate—unkind towards you in one respect; and you have forgiven me. Shall I be less con- siderate on your behalf? Besides, I can already divine the truth in refercnce to the vindictive young woman who achieved so much mischief and who personated the Gipsy at the masquerade. She was doubtless one who has good cause to de- plore a broken pledge on your part;—and it will now be our duty to seek her—console and pro- pitiate her—and ensure her a competency, if she be poor, for the remainder of her days.” “ Ah! you know not of whom you are speaking, Pauline!” exclaimed Florimel. “Do you re- member the dreadful murder that was committed in Lambeth some two or three months back? Well, that same Caroline Walters—the murderess —is the young woman whom you would console and propitiate—and she was arrested last evening!” “Qh: the unhappy girl!” cried Pauline, clasping her hands and shuddering visibly. “ And that in- famous woman—thbe milliner of Pall Mall—was also taken into custody, I have heard—charged with crimes that are almost incredible ——” “But which appear, notwithstanding, to be con- clusively brought home to her,” added Florimel. ‘‘Let us not, however, devote a woud or a thought to any one or anything, unless connected with our own affairs—for these must now be the all-engrossing topic. Yes, Pauline,” continued the young nobleman, still remaining upon his knees before her, and speaking in a voice of the deepest contrition,—“I betrayed that young girl —that Caroline Walters -—and hence the fearful revenge which she has sought to wreak upon me, by alienating your affections from me for ever! It is true that she became my victim before I was even acquainted with you: but can you—will you bestow your hand on one who has erred so deeply as 1?” “The candour of this confession, Gabriel, per- mits me not to hesitate a moment how to answer you,” said Pauline. “Qh! surely, surely you are repentant for the past——” “God knows how penitent Iam!” ejaculated the young nobleman, fervidly. “But it is for yon, Pauline, to become my guardian angel—my saving genius; and I] will reward you with a love as un- bounded and a fidelity as true as your virtues merit !” “ Rise—rise, my Gabriel—anc be happy ©” ex- claimed Pauline, forcing the young nobleman to abandon his suppliant posture. “There—seat yourself by my side—and let me hear you converse without an excitement that is painful to us both. The past cannot be recalled—but it may be atoned (COU = SE «ep oe em ~ eee (C DOO (CO