The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 227: what you’re looking at

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

ee A ll IO DEP AL OLGA BIOL SOILD 212 to Berkeley Square, and had not set eyes on Mrs. Fitzherbert for some weeks past. “The moment I produced your splendid velvet dress, Mrs. Fitz- herbert was in raptures—and she insisted upon knowing whom it was for. I accordingly mentioned your ladyship’s name; upon hearing which, his Royal Highness burst forth into such enthusiastic praises of your ladyship’s beauty—figure—elegant wait—and fascinating manners, that——But I am really trembling from head to foot lest I should offend your ladyship?” exclaimed the artful mil- liner, appearing to be suddenly seized with renewed confusion and embarrassment. “ Nay—I am not so easily chagrined or hurt,” ex- claimed Eleanor, affecting to experience no other sentiment than that of amusement at this tittle-tattle —whereas her bosom was in reality heaving with in- describable emotions. ‘“ Proceed, Mrs. Brace: you divert me much, I can assure you.” -“T thank your ladyship for relieving me of the apprehension that I might give offence,’ resumed the wily milliner, who failed not to observe that the Countess was rapidly becoming more deeply inte- rested in her narrative. “I was informing your ladyship that the Prince broke out into enthusiastic, —nay, [ may almost add, rapturous eulogies on your ladyship’s style of loveliness ;—and he was continuing in this strain—evidently carried away by the impulse of his feelings—when Mrs. Fitzher- bert interrupted him sharply. For, I do not mind telling your ladyship,—since we have entered upon the subject,—that his Royal Highness did say enough—and far more than enough to provoke Mrs. Fitzherbert’s jealousy. In fact, as I have already had the honour of informing your ladyship, nothing could equal his enthusiasm.” “ And what did Mrs. Fitzherbert say ?” inquired Eleanor, her cheeks glowing as she recalled to mind the impassioned kisses that the heir-apparent had imprinted on her lips when he held her in his arms which had never escaped her memory. “ Mrs. Fitzherbert exclaimed, ‘Hverybody knows that Lady Desborough is one of the handsomest women in England: but you need not dwell upon her charms, for all that ’—To which the Prince re- plied, ‘ There is no harm in admiring a beautiful creature like the Countess: indeed, a man must possess a heart of stone who cannot worship female Joveliness wherever it exists. —'These were the prin- cipal observations that passed,’ added the designing Mrs. Brace; “ and now your ladyship has compelled me to reveal everything.” “And are you sure that there is no exaggeration in your narrative?” exclaimed Eleanor, affecting to laugh, while in reality she was deeply moved—and had the Prince been with her at that moment, and none else present, his Royal Highness would not per- haps have been repulsed as on the former occasion. *‘T can assure your ladyship that I have not coloured my tale in the least,’’ said Mrs. Brace. “ By the bye, I am to return again to Carlton House in the afternoon, with the patterns of the velvet for Mrs. Fitzherbert’s dress.” “ Well—but what induced you to tell me that vou were to return thither?” inquired the Countess of Desborough. on that memorable afternoon the particulars of THE MYSTERIES. eee een nn aD who was thus deliberately and coolly inventing a scene at Carlton House which had not taken place at all; for she had come direct from her own abode “Oh! nothing my lady!” ejaculated the milliner “Only I was thinking how annoyed Mrs. Fitzher- bert would be, if—just for the sake of a little mis- chief—I were to tell his Royal Highness in her presence that I had communicated to your ladyship all the particulars which occurred ere now at Carlton House.” “You cannot dream of such a thing!” ejaculated Eleanor, her pride suddenly prevailing over the tender and voluptuous thoughts which had been ex- cited in her bosom. “ Not for worlds would I have you be guilty of such an imprudence! Indeed, I perceive that I was wrong to indulge in this idle gossip, Mrs. Brace,’ she added haughtily. ‘‘ Pray forgive me for the indiscretion which I have perpetrated!” cried the milliner, appearing to be quite grieved at this sudden change in the manner of her patroness: and, in fact, she saw that she had gone a little too far. “No, my lady—I am in- capable of such conduct, I can assure you. At the same time, it must be as galling to Mrs. Fitzherbert to know that the Prince is desperatelyin love with your ladyship, as it is complimentary to you.” “You do not mean to imply that the few flattering phrases which his Royal Highness condescended to utter concerning me, denote anything of so serious a nature on his part?” said Eleanor, with a softened tone and manner. “Tf I were to explain my real sentiments to your ladyship, you would only upbraid me again,” ob- served the milliner, affecting to be busied in putting on her bonnet and scarf preparatory to taking her departure. ‘‘No—I promise to be less hasty with you, my good Mrs. Brace,” said the Countess. ‘“ Speak frankly and candidly: for aithough it be but idle eossip—the mere pastime of chit-chat ——” “Precisely so, my lady,’”’ said the milliner. “ You have given me permission to explain my real senti- ments? Well—TI will tell you honestly and sincerely, then, how I read the feelings of hiss Royal Highness. He loves—he adores—he worships you !” “ Mrs. Brace, this is language which I dare not listen to!” exclaimed Eleanor, the crimson tide flooding her cheeks—her neck—her very bosom. “Did I not say that your ladyship would only scold me2” cried the milliner, affecting to be plunged into the most painful bewilderment. “ What am I todo? Your ladyship condescends to listen to me— commands me to speak frankly—and then covers me with your displeasure.” “J was wrong, my good creature,” said the Countess of Desborough: “for I admit that I gave you encouragement to make this extraordinary and most unexpected revelation. But how can you pos- sibly be so foolish as to construe into a serious sen- timent the few idle compliments which the Prince was pleased to utter concerning me 2” “ Ah! my lady,” returned Mrs. Brace, “if you had studied human nature as profoundly as I have done, your ladyship would not be so sceptical. There 1s a wide and essential difference between mere passing flattery and those enthusiastic praises which come from the heart. ‘Think you, my lady, that the Prince, in a moment of perfect good temper, would wantonly provoke a quarrel with Mrs. F itzherbert by exciting her jealousy? Assuredly not. The truth is, that he was carried away by his feelings—he was borne along by the tice of rapturous emotions —and the words he uttered flowed irresistibly from his heart. ba ee BS Al pA oS Ch se SE ee a ee ee oe SIF I III Lt IS A LL OIE IS (S(O)[(NN) 6) Ovo) O (C(O) <SE