The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 245: what you’re looking at

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

CLARA AT HOME 223 reveal. Louisa was not present when Clara thus performed the painful duty of reciting her narrative to her three aunts, and it was not until the sisters had an opportunity of being alone together in the evening, and when seated in the shady arbour in the garden, that Louisa obtained any insight into that strange, romantic, and even wondrous career which had elevated her sister to the peerage. Nor will the reader blame Clara if she withheld as much as possible of the details that were most likely to shock the pure mind of her innocent and artless sister. Nevertheless, she could not conceal the circumstance of her intimate connection with the prince regent. Louisa’s generous disposition naturally suggested as many excuses as possible for the errors into which Clara had been led, and it was in some such terms as these that the young damsel gave expression to her feelings: ‘‘T can picture to myself, dearest Clara, the bewilderment of horror and dismay into which you must have been thrown when suddenly finding yourself homeless, friendless, and penniless in the streets of London; and never can I forget that you have now told me in language of the most touching pathos how it was for the purpose of saving myself and our then paralyzed and helpless relative from the direst penury that you threw yourself at the mercy of that Miss Bathurst who made you such brilliant promises. Whatever you may have done, then, must receive no reproach from my lips. No, dearest, dearest sister, never can I reproach you. On the contrary, a veil must be drawn over all that it is un- pleasant to look back upon. But, tell me, oh, tell me from your own lips, give me the solemn assurance that you will never return to the royal palace, and then I shall be happy, truly happy.” ‘“‘ Louisa, you talk to me like an angel,’’ exclaimed Clara, winding her arms about her sister’s neck, and straining her in the fondest embrace. ‘‘ When I crossed the threshold of Carlton House this morning, I solemnly vowed in the depths of my soul that I was then taking leave of that palace for ever.” “ Oh, Clara, if you will only keep this vow,” cried Louisa, ‘you will more than atone for the past.” ‘“T will keep it,’’ was Lady Sackville’s firm and sincere response. ‘I have already given our dear aunt that same assurance, and she also has forgiven me, she also has prom- (C(O) nn) (C 0)(0)©) CSS (CO)