The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 174: what you’re looking at

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

BEvvav THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. tnquiry after my son,” returned the Princess: " that is, if he be indeed alive. My thoughts are now fixed apon that object——” “And not for a moment can I dissuade your Royal Highness from so laudable a proceeding,” ex- claimed the excellent-hearted lady. “But I do not propose to declare to him the secret of his birth,” continued Sophia. “I wish you, my dear friend, to make the requisite inquiries on my behalf—to ascertain what he is and where he je—and to glean evey particular which you may imagine likely to interest a mother, Then may I become his secret benefactress—bestow all pessible bounties upon him, without suffering him to Jearn the source whence they emanate—and do for him, in fine, as much as I can or dare perform. Now, will you aid me in this enterprise 2” “I will—most aseuredly,” answered Pauline. “I have every reason to believe that. the Mr. Thurston ee child was consigned, is the same, eminent physician who lives in May Fatr and who has obtained such renown in his profession. Yeara have however elapsed since I last saw him: but I will call upon him without delay.” “ But be mast not be acquainted with my secret, Pauline,” said the Princess Sophia. “ Unless indeed,” she added, with a sigh, “he is already acquainted with it! And this is most probable: for he must have seen me—hbe must have recognized in me the lady who, under the name of Mra, Mordaunt, be- came a mother at your former residence in the Edgeware Road, aod whom he attended upon the occasion.” * At all events, if he be not acquainted with tne secret,” said Lady Florimel, “he shall not learn it from my lips. To one only perzon in the world have I ever breathed it—to one from whom my soul could keep nothing veiled —” “I understand you, Pauline,” observed the - Princess, mournfully. “You mean your husband 7? comliclbooks.com