The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 291: what you’re looking at

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

274 “Mrs. Mordaunt?” cried Octavia, literally trem- ling with impatience. ° “Yes — aire. Mordaunt,” repeated Pauline, “And can you guess who this Mrs. Mordaunt ly is?” rn ow can J, Pauline?” exclaimed the elder sister. “But you remember that we always sus- her to be some lady of rank-~and her friend Mrs. Smith too——”" “Nor were we wrong in our conjectures, Oo- tavia,” proceeded the younger Miss Clarendon, solemnly: “for—as sure as I am now addressing my words to you—that Mrs. Smith was the high- born, wealthy, and fashionable Countess of Des- borough — and Mrs. Mordaunt was hey Royal Highness the Princess Sophia f “Great heavens! is this possible?” exclaimed Octavia, almost forgetting her own afflictions in the absorbing interest of this tremendovs revela- tion. “Tt is not only possible—it is the truth,” said ‘Pauline, “I have been introduced to her Royal ‘Highness—and there is no doubt of her identity with our Mrs. Mordaunt. Pauline, “when in conversation with the Prince of Wales relative to yourself, I was anxious to aseer tain whether Ae was acquainted with his sister's frailty—for at the moment I was breathing vague threats into his ear: and the few words which I let drop produced an effect upon him as if a vertigo had seized on his brain. Then—later in the evening—he asked me, ina tone full of deep meaning, whether Lord Florime! was acquainted with the Princess Sophia’s adventure in the Edge- “ Yes—yes—I recollect well ” exclaimed Octavia, @ sudden reminiscence flashing in upon her brain: “i¢ was from my lips that the Prince of Wales learnt the dishonour of his own sister! He ques- tioned me so closely—he forced me to reveal all that had occurred at the villa in connexion with the supposed Mrs. Mordaunt and Mrs. Smith—and now I remember that there was something strange | siste and unaccountable in his manner at the time !” “Oh! was it not a species of retribution that he should thus have received the intelligence of his sister's shame from the lips of one whom he him- self had dishonoured?* whispered Pauline, in a low and solemn tone. “ But you now perceive, my beloved sister, how it is possible that this haughty Prince can be made to fall on his knees before you and consent to any sacrifice which you may dictate as the price of secrecy respecting the Princess?” “My God! I dare not employ menaces, Pau- Une!” exclaimed Octavia, wringing her hands hys- terically. “I have loved him too well—=still love him too tenderly——And yet,” she cried, suddenly interrupting heraclf,—“why should I spare him, since he hesitates not to break my heart?—why shoald I release him from his vows if it be indeed within my power to enforce their fulfilment ?” “It is a matter of such vital importance, Oc- tavia,” said Pauline, “that you must deliberate on it with far more composure and tranquillity than you cai now bring to bear upon the question. Let us cease to speak thereon for the present—and, in the name of everything sacred! study to exercise a control over your feelings.” “I may say that the bitterness of death is past,” observed poor Octavia, with difficulty subduing a Besides,” continued THR MYSTERIES. profound sob. “The worst is now knowa—the most terrible paroxysm of grief is over —and I must endeavour——” And scarcely had she time to wipe away the traces of her tears and smooth her charming au- burn hair, when the door opened and the Hon. Arthur Baton made his appearance. CHAPTER LXXVIIL fHE PROPOSAL. * My sweet cousins,” exclaimed the young gentle- man, observing that they both started and even exhibited signs of confusion and embarrassment,— “if I ingterrapt you in any very serious discourse, I will a¢ once fetire. But really,” he added, smiling, “T am at a loss to conceive what you can have to render you both so demure——” “ Nay—ocome in, Arthur,” said Pauline. * You surely are not upon such ceremonial terms with us as to remain standing on the thresheld until we invite you to enter.” “On the contrary, my dear cousin,” returned Mr. Eaton, “I consider myself on so intimate and friendly a footing in this house, that I at once and unhesitatingly avow my desire to have a few minutes’ conversation with your sister in private.” “With me!” qjaculated the elder Mizs Claren- don, in amazement, “ Assuredly,” answered the young gentleman, with a smile: “since Pauline hag no other sister, I must of course mean you.” “ And what can you poasibly have to say to me in private, Arthur ?” exclaimed Octavia, her colour coming and going in rapid alternations, as a thousand conflicting thoughts and feaxs swept through her mind. - “Nothing very formidable,” was the response. “ Now, my dear Pauline, I am certain you will gra- tify my request by leaving me iéte-a-tfte with your r. “ Oh!. certainly—since you are really seriows— which I did not think you were at first,” exclaimed Pauline: and, darting a look fall of kind enconar- agement upon her sister, she hurried from the room. “In the name of heaven! what means all this mystery, Arthur?” demanded Octavia, the mo- ment the door closed behind Pauline. “You are agitated—trembling from head to foot —apparently overwhelmed with some secret grief, Octavia !” exclaimed the young gentleman, heed- leas of her question—for he was suddenly strack by her excited manner, her changing cheeks, her rapid utterance, and her wild looks. “Tell me— has anything occurred to vex or annoy you?—for you surely can make a confidant, of one who feels so deep an interest in your welfare as I.” “No—no—I am not agitated now,” said Octa- via, exerting all her power and all her strength to regain her self-possesaion. “I was only startled by the suddenness with which you demanded a pri- vate interview—I was fearful that something had happened—to my father perhaps——But J am composed and tranquil now, Arthur,” she added smniling faintly. “I am afraid that you are only assuming a tran- quillity which you do not in reality experience COMNIGDOOKSEEO!