The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 261: what you’re looking at

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246 CHAPTER LXX. AN UNEXPECTED MEETING. Tue church-clocks were striking twelve as Lord Florimel handed Miss Pauline Clarendon into his carriage which was waiting at the door; and he ordered the coachman to drive to Devonshire House; Piceadilly. Away started the splendid equipage; and the young nobleman felt proud and happy in having so charming and amiable acompanion. On her side, Pauline was so profoundly touched by the frank and candid beha- viour of her lover during the conversation which had so recently passed between them, that her happiness would have been complete, had not the position of her sister become so serious a cause of afiliction. In due time the carriage stopped in front of Devon- shire House; and the hall-porter, who answered the summons given by one of Lord Florimel’s foutmen, said that her Grace was at home. The young nobleman assisted Pauline to alight ; and they were conducted up a magnificent staircase, into a small but elegantly furnished room, where the Duchess of Devonshire, attired in a graceful diska- billée, was half reclining on a sofa placed so that she might catch the warmth of the cheerful fire which blazed on the hearth. Florimel was a great favourite with the Duchess; and she received him with all the cordial familiarity of a relative. Ina becoming manner and suitable terms he presented Miss Pauline Clarendon, with the delicate intimation that she was shortly to become Lady Florimel; and the Duchess, taking the young maiden’s hand, addressed her with so much affability and graceful courtesy that she was instantly relieved of any embarrassment she had at first experienced on finding herself in the presence of that brilliant leader of the fashionable world. “Tt is very amiable of your Grace to receive us at this unseasonable hour,’ said Florimel: “and an apology is necessary on my part * “ Not at all, Gabriel,” interrupted the Duchess. “ You are always weleome—and doubly so this morn- ing, Inasmuch as you have brought so interesting a companion. But in the same friendly and uncere- monious manner that I now receive you both, must I inform you that I have only a quarter of an hour to devote to you on this occasion: for at one o’clock her Royal Highness the Princess Sophia and the Countess of Desborough will be here.” “ We will not intrude many minutes upon you, my charming and amiable cousin,” said Florimel. “In fact, I have a little favour to ask you——” “If you mean that I must be present on a certain day,” exclaimed the Duchess, with a smile of en- chanting archness, “and that [ must keep myself disengaged fora particular ceremony, rest assured that I shall experience great pleasure in accepting the invitation. I hope you intend to make my volatile cousin quite steady, Miss Clarendon?” “T assuredly hope that the hint contained in the words of your Grace will not be thrown away upon his Jordship,” answered Pauline, smiling: “and I may add that I have the fullest and most implicit confidence in him.” “You will make a very interesting pair—and I long to see you both standing at the altar,” said the Duchess. ae ew THE MYSTERIES. —_—_ - inust become very good friends. In the course of the ensuing week I shall be receiving company ; and I shall expect the pleasure of numbering your- self and sister amongst my guests.” “Then your Grace is aware that Miss Pauline has an elder sister?” observed Florimel. “Mr. Eaton called upon me yesterday,’’ responded the Duchess ; “ and he was enthusiastic in describing and praising his two charming cousins. You there- fore perceive, Miss Clarendon, that I was pre- possessed in your favour before I experienced the pleasure of knowing you.” “ The kindness with which your Grace has re- ceived me, will never be forgotten,” observed Pau- lines “ But I am fearful that our visit has already been prolonged And she glanced significantly towards Lord Florimel. “J will at once explain the favour which I have to solicit at your hands, dear cousin,” said the young nobleman, addressing the Duchess. ‘It was not precisely to ask your Grace to honour our bridal-day with your presence: although we should not have omitted that invitation—and now we consider your Grace pledged to accept it. But my Pauline is very anxious to attend the Prince’s ball to-morrow even- ing——” “And nothing would have afforded me greater pleasure than to introduce her,” interrupted the Duchess: “ but it is unfortunately impossible—inas- much as the ball is preceded by a dinner-party, to which I am honoured with an invitation. On the next occasion, however, Miss Clarendon may hold me engaged to act the agreeable part of chaperon.” Pauline was about to express her thanks for this promise so afiably and readily given, when the door was thrown open—and a footman announced her Royal Highness the Princess Sophia and the Countess of Desborough. But what pen can describe the amazement—what language can convey an idea of the astonishment of Pauline Clarendon, when in these ladies she recog- nised the Mrs. Mordaunt and the Mrs. Smith whom she had encountered on an occasion well remembered by the reader. The Princess Sophia did not immediately notice the young lady—because she was at once accosted by the Duchess of Devonshire, who hastened to con- duct her to a seat: but Eleanor instantaneously beheld and recognised Pauline—and, though for one moment completely astounded, yet in the next she recovered her presence of mind, and, with admirable tact, approached her, saying, “My dear Miss Clarendon, I am rejoiced to meet you again. I hope that my friend Octavia is as well as your own ap- pearance proves you to be?” Pauline murmured a few scarcely intelligible words in reply: for the sense of amazement had taken so strong a hold upon her that she could not immediately shake it off But she felt the Countess press with an unmistakable significancy the hand which her ladyship had taken in her own; and raising her eyes, Pauline threw upon her a look which, though rapid, conveyed the assurance that “the secret was safe with her.” “T am delighted that we have thus met, Miss Clarendon,” continued Eleanor, repeating the young lady’s name louder than before, so that it might reach the Princess and make her Royal Highness “Indeed, you and I, Miss Clarendon, | aware who was present. CORNIECLOO () Sc (C©)