The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 272: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES. ee, “ What on earth is al] this to come to?” demanded fection for the hall. Is it not just as I am desorib- the Prince of Wales. « Why—that ou must obtain a peerage and a yeaton for Mr. Clarendon, as the price of having the mirigue with his elder daughter completely hushed up” returned Mrs. Brace. "No influenee with the ministry perhaps," inter- rupted Mra, Braces: “but have you not the power of esiorting by menaess from your royal father-——” ahe fixed her fine eyes significantly upon him. be sure! Hannah Lightfoot’s paper—or the half of it! exclaimed the Prince. “ Your is admirable, I'll send my friend Tim my father to negociate the business, On mornipg the matter shall be entered upon. counsel, Fanny, I now see my way out of this thicket of difficulties. And you will permit me to inform you what it is that brought me hither this evening.” “I am all attention,” said Mra. Brace. “ But will you stay and sup with me? You perceive by Florimel’s RSE EB. 3 Ss & iH i i 5 E: “That he has di inted you,” added the Prince, withasmile, “ Well—I will take his place at your table this evening, Shall we be alone?” “If you like, But there was to have been "A young lady, I'll he bound !” ejaculated his Highness. "Precisely, She is a sweet ereature--and I in- tended to tempt Hlorimel with her,” said Mra Brace, 3s Camilla Morton—and as a camilla is and chaste, meang jet her sup with us,” cried the in the meantime I will hurriedly inform brought me hither this evening, You are J i F E 7; <5 rif bs Invitations were of course sent, the Ear] and Countess of Des- I just now—about an hour hithes—that the Countess will accept searcely believe it,” observed Mra know that she will be present to-morrow yoturned the Prinos, emphatically. “ My Pringass Sopbia and the Duchess of Deyon- \ told me 80 jnst now, in the course of con- * And what do yon pro to do?” inquired the : © for, fastile as Rot as yet thought of any scheme to forward views with reapect to Lady Desborough.” believe that Mrs, Fitsherbert has sent to request. your attendance her to-marrow evening naga has she not ?” asked : on receiving an affirmative reply, he continued “party at apven o'clock; and you will have to remain at Cariton House until nine or half-past in order to see that Mrs. Fitzherbert’s toilette is in per- j | SeRget borough ; ok ti : ef i refit aif f may be in expedients, I | p to the | more, to abeerve, “ Well—that is for the grand | panied bg any 255 ng “Nothing could be more accurate,” responded Mrs. Brace, smiling at the minuteness of detail into which his Roya] Highness was entering, and the ultimate object of which she could not by any means conjecture. | “So far, so good,” resumed the Prince. “ Now, you are aware that when the company arrive, they ascend the grand staircase, and the ladies pass into a toilette-chamber to lay aside their scarfs or cloaks, before they proceed to the ball-room.” “T cannot be ignorant of this fact,” observed Mrs. Brace, “since I have more than once assisted Mrs. Fitzherbert’s gentlewomen in that very chamber to receive the ladies’ cloaks. This was, however, several years ago, when curiosity prompted me to take that poet in order to obtain a good view of your lady- guests and observe the fashions which chiefly pre- eran in their toilette.” “Ah! J had forgotten that you had done this,” said the Prince. “Well—it is precisely the same thing that I require you to do again to-morrow evening. You will then watch for the Countess of Desborough —and the moment she makes her appearance, you will hasten forward to attend upon her. “But her ladyship will my services with indignation,” cried Mrs. Brace. “ Her ladyship, on the contrary, will affect not to recognise you,” returned the Prince. “Do you think that she would draw all eyes upon herself, by any display of feeling on such an occasion? Be- sides, if questioned by her friends and acquaint- ances relative to the cause of her anger against you, what reply could she make? Only reflect for & moment upon her position. She has accepted the invitation, partly, no doubt, for fear her hus- band should imagine that she had any cause of eomplaint against me—and partly in compliance with the wishes of the Princess Sophia, who is her very dear friend. Her behaviour will therefore be of a character to defy the least suspicion that any- thing, agreeable or disagreeable, has ever taken place between herself and me.” “I comprehend the force of your reasoning,” said Mrs. Brace. “I shall therefore hasten to volunteer my assistance to her ladyship the mo- | ment she enters the toilette-room——” “And, while thus aiding her,” interrupted the Prince, “ you will whisper in her ear these words :— ‘It is of the utmost importance that I should speak to your ladyship alone, for a few minutes, presently. Your honour is threatened — your reputation is at stake. I both can and will show your ladyship how to defeat your enemies.’—These ominous words will terrify her, and make her anxious to know more, Her curiosity will be painfully excited, especially as you are the person to utter so singular and m terlous a warning. Taking advantage of this ression which you are certain to create, you must add these words: ‘At midnight precisely I shall be at the end of the passage leading from the left of the landing which your ladyship will cross to enter ball-rooms. If your ladyship wishes to hnow you can meet me then and there. But come alone—or I shall hurry away {f I see you accom- : one,” “And if her ladyship should keep the appoint- ment ?” said Mrs. Brace, inquiringly. “Then you will throw open the door of the room GOLAAL N ar@n(o) S COMM