The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 368: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XXXIV THE INTENDED HUSBAND On the following day, punctually at three o’clock, Mrs. and Miss Arbuthnot made their appearance at Carlton House, and were at once ushered into an apartment where they found his Royal Highness waiting to receive them. At once rising from his seat with the most familiar courtesy, and even condescending friendliness of manner, the prince regent shook Mrs. Arbuthnot very warmly by the hand, and then throwing his arms around the voluptuously formed Penelope, bestowed upon her a hearty kiss. Both mother and daughter were somewhat surprised at this remarkable change in the prince’s manner, for the elder lady had not failed to acquaint Penelope with the freezing reserve which his Royal Highness had at first manifested toward her on the previous day, and how she had been com- pelled to use threats to bring him to reason. Of course Mrs. Arbuthnot was well pleased to observe this change, and Penelope submitted with a very good grace to the royal caress, although she now in her heart entertained the most cordial hate toward her seducer. The prince made the two ladies sit down upon the sofa, and placing himself between them, he said, with an assump- tion of the most good-humoured jocularity, ‘‘ Well, after all, this is really a very pretty drama in which we are en- gaged. But little did I think until yesterday that I should ever be called upon to play the part of a matrimonial agent. I declare that my observation makes you blush, Penelope. Yet I think that you will be well pleased when you see what a fine husband I have selected for you.” “Your Royal Highness may rest assured,” said Miss Arbuthnot, “ that it is with no small degree of repugnance 342 cComicloooks (CO)