The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 86: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER VIII CONCLUSION OF THE HISTORY OF SELLIS THE scene shifts once more to Windsor Castle, and it is the same evening of which we have been writing. The reader will not have forgotten a certain Mrs. Bredal- bane, occupying the post of one of the royal bedchamber women, and if we peep into this lady’s own room in the castellated palace, at about ten o’clock, we shall find her seated téte-d-téte with Mrs. Arbuthnot, who held a similar appointment. These two ladies had become great friends and confidantes, and when not required to be in personal attendance on the queen, they were wont to have a cup of tea or a pleasant little supper together, in order to discuss all the scandal of the palace. On the present occasion they were seated at the supper- table. The repast was over, but they were enjoying them- selves with a glass of liqueur, while indulging in some of their favourite topics of discourse. ‘“‘ Yes, my dear friend,” said Mrs. Bredalbane, pursuing the thread of some previous remarks which she had been making, ‘‘ I can assure you the princess persecutes me to death upon this subject; and that is what you beheld her talking to me so earnestly about in the park this morn- ing.” “ But how is. it,” inquired Mrs. Arbuthnot, “ that her Royal Highness should be so anxious to learn the history of Sellis’s mysterious death? ”’ “You might say murder, if you chose,’’ observed Mrs. Bredalbane. ‘“‘ Indeed! are you so positive on that head?” exclaimed Mrs. Arbuthnot. “I am,” was the response. “‘ Of all the topics whereon 68 COMmicoooks (CO)