The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 147: what you’re looking at

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

| honour of one of those ladies 132 THE MYSTERIES. which Pauline and myself originally entertained on that head.” «“ Ah! then your father is acquainted with the fact of their visit ?” observed the Prince. “Oh! yes—how could we keep such a circum- stance concealed from him?” exclaimed Octavia. “ Besides, when Mrs. Smith enjoined the strictest secrecy, she did not include my father " “The strictest secrecy relative to what, Octavia ?” demanded the Prince, his curiosity suddenly excited by the singularity of the observation which had just fallen from the lips of his charming mistress. “ Heavens! what have I been saying 2” cried the young lady, absolutely frightened at her want of caution: but her mind had been lulled, by the melt- ing softness of her heart’s feelings, into such a dreamy bliss, that she had spoken inadvertently and without reflection. “Ts it possible that you can have a secret which you will keep from me ?” asked the Prince, assum- ing a tone tenderly reproachful. “ Remember, dearest—you are already my wife in the sight of heaven—and, as such, not a thought nor deed should be concealed from my knowledge. It is not thus that I would act towards you, Octavia.” “Oh! do not upbraid me, George — dearest George!’ she exclaimed, throwing her arms round his neck and kissing him affectionately, while the tears streamed down her cheeks. “ It is not a secret regarding myself—but it may possibly involve the honour of one of those ladies ‘4 “Such a secret would be safe in my keeping, sweet girl,’ interrupted the Prince, now experienc- ing a curiosity so intense and entertaining a suspi- cion so terrible that he was sorely troubled inwardly, although he concealed his emotions as much as possible. “ T will tell you all—everything,” said the yielding Octavia: “but first assure me of your forgiveness for having hitherto maintained so much unnecessary reserve on that point.” “ Korgiveness !” he repeated, smoothing down her rich and shining auburn hair with his hand: “ how could I be angry with you, even for an instant ?” “ Dear George, how kind youare!”’ she murmured, the tears on her cheeks exhaling with the warmth of the sunny smiles which now succeeded them. ‘‘ Proceed, my love,” said the Prince, drawing her again towards him, so that her head once more re- clined upon his breast: for he did not wish her now to contemplate his features while she spoke—inas- much as he had a presentiment that he was about to hear something calculated to excite the acutest feel- _ ings that could possibly indicate their hidden work- _ ings by the expression of the countenance. “You said that this secret might possibly concern the 3) “ Yes—if she were not married, interrupted the artless Octavia. “ But if Mrs. Mordaunt be the real name, as you Said it was, of that beautiful young lady of eighteen—then must she be married, and there is no disgrace. At thesame time, the mystery which was observed relative to the child——”’ “The child!” repeated the Prince, scarcely able to control his feelings. “ But you are speaking, my dearest Octavia, as if I were already acquainted with everything—whereas I know nothing as yet of all this.”’ “Pardon me for the giddy way in which I began my narrative, dear George,” said the lovely girl, oe ———— —_—_-+— - —_— ——___—_— pressing his hand to her lips. “TI should have told you at once that Mrs. Mordaunt became a mother almost immediately after she entered our house.” “ A mother!” murmured the Prince, under his breath: for it was with the greatest difficulty he could now subdue the terrible emotions that were agitating in his bosom. “ And what became of the child ?” he demanded. ‘He was placed in the care of a surgeon named Thurston, and who resides in our neighbourhood,” answered Octavia. “'Then it was a boy ?”’ exclaimed the Prince: and, scarcely pausing for an instant, he added, “ I suppose the surgeon attended upon my —— Mrs. Mordaunt, I mean, in her confinement ?” “Yes. But am not I doing wrong in communicat- ing all these facts, dearest George?” exclaimed the lovely girl: for she began to perceive that there was something singular in the manner of her companion ; —and, raising her head, she gazed upon him with the sweetest expression of her splendid blue eyes. “You tell me that you are acquainted with Mrs. Mordaunt-—and you will therefore doubtiess meet her in the circle in which you move. Oh! do not bring a blush to her cheeks, if there be really dis- honour associated with all I have now revealed to you !” “You cannot think me so base, my charming Oc- tavia !” said the Prince, straining her to his breast. “Tt is a mere matter of conversation—perhaps of curiosity on my part: but believe me when I assure you that there is no dishonour attached to Mrs. Mordaunt’s name—and I can well divine the family reasons which have compelled her to observe so much mystery in respect to the birth of her child. A run- away and secret match—against the wishes of her parents—and ‘ “Oh! I can understand it now,” interrupted Miss Clarendon, placing implicit credence in the specious explanation which the Prince thus volunteered. “Poor creature! she is greatly to be pitied if her parents beso cruel! So beautiful—so amiable—so elegant in her manners——” “ But were you ever to behold her, riding for in- stance in her carriage, you would not point her out to any one witn whom you might happen to be at the time ?” said the Prince. “Assuredly not!’ exclaimed the young lady. “ Besides, all my thoughts—all my ideas—all my sentiments, are so absorbed in the love which I bear for you, that I have no leisure nor inclination to trouble myself relative to the affairs of others. But you appear to be pre-occupied, George—you are not well: or else something is troubling you?” she added, gazing upon him with the tenderest solici- tude. “Oh! [am always happy when in your society, my beloved girl,” he cried, now lavishing upon her the most ardent caresses. “ But tell me—how long can you remain with me this evening?—for it is paradise while you are with me—and a dreary void when you are away.” “T must return home by eleven o’clock, without fail,’ she answered, hiding her blushing countenance on his breast. ‘ Seek not to detain me longer, dear George: for I could not find an excuse to account to my father for a protracted absence.” “ Not for worlds would I involve you in so cruel an embarrassment !” exclaimed the Prince, glueing his mouth to her luscious lips, until her heavenly _ com EloOO KS .EORN