The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 276: what you’re looking at

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

eee Resa ceastattndoapae Wats sstheseashesnendetensestestssitncienesmes THE MYSTERIES. something of a nature which she would fain conceal and which she trembled to have made known. “Your ladyship sees that I cannot enter into par- ficulars here, nor at present,” returned Mrs. Brace: then, pausing as if to reflect upon what course it would be better to pursue, and in another mement seeming to be inspired with an idea, she said, “ At midnight precisely you can steal from the ball- rooms—on any pretence—no one will perceive you: and if your ladyship will then repair to the extremity of the long passage leading from the great landing, I will be there. But come alone—for to your ear ooly must I breathe the communication which I have to make.” “I will be there—at midnight—punctually,’’ mur- mured Eleanor, her voice sounding hoarse and thick. *Give me a glass of water.” The milliner hastened to comply with this de- mand; and the limpid element went hissing down the parched throat of the Countess of Desborough. “Is your ladyship better f” inquired Mrs. Brace, as she received back the glass. “Yes—I thank you,” responded Eleanor: and, by a desperate effort, she overcame her emotions. “ At all events you assure me,” ahe whispered rapidly to the milliner, “ that the evil—whatever it is—can be averted.” “Tranquillise yourself completely on that head, my lady,” said Mrs. Brace. “I will—I must,” observed the Countess. “ At midnight—punctually.” And having darted a significant look upon the milliner, whose sincerity she no longer thought of doabting, Eleanor turned to rejoin Pauline Claren- don. This young lady’s hair had required some little adjustment, which had just engaged the three or four minutes occupied by the above rapidly whispered dialogue between the Countess and Mrs. Brace. It was now for the first time that the milliner ob- served that Eleanor’s companion was none other than Pauline Clarendon: for when the two ladies had entered the room, Mrs. Brace was so intent upon | affording the Countess her officious aid that she had ‘not even thought of darting a glance at the beauteous creature who was with her. But now Mrs. Brace recognised Pauline immediately—not only on account of her marvellous likeness to her sister Octavia, but also from the fact of having seen them together on that morning when Camilla Morton had delivered the note at the house of Lord Florimel. On thus recognising the younger Miss Clarendon, a painfnl conviction instantly sprang up in the mil- |finer’s mind that something was wrong, and that the plot, as Florime]’s letter had warned her, was indeed thickening, Dut what could shedo? Nothing:— matters must take their chance ;—and, however great her anxiety and suspense now were, there was no alternative but to await the gradual development of circumstances as they should occur. In the meantime,— while the bewildered Mra. Brace was thus giving way to her hurried and agi- tated reflections,— Eleanor and Pauline had issued from the toilette-chamber and rejoined the Earl; then, the former leaning on his right arm, and the latter on his left, they crossed the landing to the mag- Nificent saloons from the open portals of which streamed the warm and perfumed atmosphere. Gloriously handsome appeared the Countess of Desborough -- bewitchingly beautiful was Pauline Clarendon. The agitation which each experienced— 259 though from such widely different causes—tinged their cheeks with a roseate hue, which set off in more dazsling contrast the fairer and softer tints. But Eleanor’s olive complexion looked rich and glowing, though of transparent purity, with her own heightened colour and in that blaze of golden lustre while nothing could be whiter or more polished in the shape of living flesh than the forehead, neck, and bosom of Miss Clarendon. How superb was Bleanor in her beauty—how fas- cinating was Pauline in her loveliness! The former seemed as if she were able to ravish a heart with one glance of her splendid black eyes—the other to steal it away with her soft and witching looks. And now, as they entered those rooms where all was a blase of attractions and an assemblage of charms, ~—yet were they not lost in the bright galaxy: but they stood out from the radiant sphere as stars of an equal glory with Mrs. Fitzherbert, the Duchess of Devonshire, or the Princess Sophia, " CHAPTER LXXIV. THE BALL-ROOM. Tt was to the Princess Sophia that the Eerl of Des- borough, the Countess, and Miss Pauline Clgrendon, first paid their homage. Her Royal Highness received Eleanor with s sisterly cordiality, and gave a moet kind and flatter- ing welcome to Pauline. Indeed, the ladies and nobles assembled in that apartment were astonished at the extreme air of friendliness and even fami- liarity with which the Princess proffered her hand to Miss Clarendon; and whisperingly they asked each other who she was. This query was soon answered by some young nobleman who had seen and admired her at Lord Marchmont’s ball; and a general anxiety prevailed to become acquainted with a young lady who ap- peared to enjoy the highest favour with her Royal Highness the Princess Sophia. Lord Florimel, who had already arrived, was now speedily by the side of Pauline: but she was not as yet able to take his arm, inasmuch as it was neces- sary that she should remain with the Earl and Countess of Desborough until after the presentation to the Prince of Wales. Florimel saw that, beneath an exterior apparently calm, a considerable agitation and excitement prevailed in the bosom of the charm- ing creature whom he loved so devotedly; and he seized an opportunity to whisper a few reassuring words in her ears. “Be not uneasy on my account, dear Gabriel,” she hastily but tenderly responded: “there will be no scene—no betrayal of anything extraordinary ;— for I am already prepared to know the worst in re- spect to my unfortunate sister.” Florimel threw upon her a look full of affection; and Pauline rapidly returned it, as she again took the proffered arm of the Earl of Desborough, who wae now about to conduct herself and the Countess into the presence of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. Amidst the brijliant assemblage they passed ;—and in a few minutes they crossed the threshold of the un- folded portals leading into the room where the heir- apparent was conversing, as already described, with GOLAAL (G boo S COMM