The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 275: what you’re looking at

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

POY THE MYSTERIES. Mrs. Fitzherbert and Georgiana Duchess of Devon- shire. No wonder, then, that the Duchess of Devon- shire and the Countess of Desborough were amazed: And now Pauline Clarendon summoned all her | but we must add that they were well pleased for courage to her aid—nerved herself with all the pre- | Pauline’s sake also. Indeed the young lady had sence of mind she could possibly command--and | become a special favourite with them both; and as exerted every energy to maintain her composure, Another moment—and she came within view of the Prince of Wales! From her cheeks fled, in an instant, the rich hues of the rose—a cold tremor struck her as if an ice- shaft had pierced her bosom—and the Earl of Des- borough felt her hand sliding from his arm. “ Courage, Miss Clarendon!” he whispered nas- tily : for the nobleman imagined that she was over- awed by the presence of the heir-apparent. The words recalled Pauline to herself: the colour came back to her cheeks—and she threw another rapid look towards his Royal Highness. Oh! there was not the faintest possibility of mis- take: twas he—Mr. Harley—the seducer of her sister ! A dizziness again seized upon Pauline as this conviction burst upon her—or rather as the last elimmering of uncertainty was dissipated in a mo- ment: but with an instinctive or mechanical mo- tion she kept by the Earl’s side—measuring her pace to his—leaning lightly upon his arm—and appearing to be embarrassed only by that species of timidity which young ladies are accustomed to feel when introduced into the presence of Royalty. And now the Earl suddenly stopped short—and Pauline made a low cbeisance because she sup- rage. sheet; and her superb bosom stood upheaved, with | the former was not jealous of her royal paramour’s proceedings, and as the latter had nothing to be jealous of in that respect, they experienced a gene- rous satisfaction at this brilliant triumph which Pauline was about to enjoy. For, in the courtly circles of those times, it was considered a grand thing for any young lady thus to attract the atten. tion of Royalty : and doubtless the same sickening, nauseating, maudlin sentiment prevails at the pre- sent day. But Mrs. Fitzherbert could scarcely restrain her First she became scarlet—then pale as a the suspended breath, for nearly a minute, when it began to throb and palpitate tumultuously. For, as ignorant as the others present concerning the motives which could possibly have induced the Prince to accord the honour of his hand to Miss Pauline Clarendon for the first quadrille, Mrs, Fitzherbert naturally supposed that he was smitten with her beauty ; and although she knew that he was not a saint, yet this was the first time that he had ever appeared to treat herself with such marked insult and another with such conspicuous favour in her presence. As for Pauline—overwhelmed with confusion at the unexpected invitation which she had received, posed it to be the moment to do so, as indeed it she murmured a few scarcely intelligible words of was—and she heard her own name mentioned by ; thanks for the honour conferred upon her: and, the Countess of Desborough who was thus pre- senting her to his Royal Highness—and then, ti- midly raising her eyes, she saw in an instant that the Prince was exerting almost superhuman efforts | to conceal the trouble which agitated his coun- tenance. Never, until Pauline’s dying-day, did she forget | the look which his Royal Highness wore at the moment when their glances thus met. Rage— terror—amazement—confusion—uncertainty how to act, were all depicted upon those lineaments: but quick asthe eye could wink, they became com- | posed and settled once more—so that none present save Pauline beheld that evanescent whirlwind of | conflicting feelings which swept over his features, Recovering all his presence of mind—or rather, suddenly arming himself with the courage of des- peration— George Prince of Wales addressed a few | affable observations to the Countess of Desbo- rough—said something particularly friendly to the | Earl—and then, darting upon Pauline a look of pe- culiar significance, half imploring and half com- manding her to be silent with respect to her pre- vious knowledge of him, he at once invited her to open the ball with him. The Duchess of Devonshire and the Countess of Desborough were amazed at this extraordinary | and unprecedented proceeding on the part of his Royal Highness; and Mrs. Fitzherbert instantly became scarlet with anger. For, according to the usual etiquette, the Prince should have opened the ball with some iady of the nighest rank: whereas he was about to bestow this exclusive honour upon a plain Miss, who was com- paratively unknown in the fashionable circles of ihe metropolis! ere she was half recovered from the bewilderment into which the entire proceeding had thrown her, she found the Prince proffering her his arm to lead her into the adjacent apartment, where the dancing was to take place. The quadrille was soon formed; and many a Royal Highness conducted her amidst the glitter- ing throng to the head of the room. The Duchess of Devonshire and the Countess of Desborough gave their hands to partners in that first dance, which the Princess Sophia likewise graced with her presence. But where was Mrs. Fitzherbert? Overcome with a rage to which she dared not however give vent, she had retreated precipitately from the suite of gilded saloons where this magnificent entertain- ment took place. “ Pauline, I thank you for the forbearance which you exercised towards me ere now,” whispered the Prince of Wales, while the gentle symphonies were floating through the rooms. ™ You have not been attracted hither by the same motive which has brought the other moths to flit around the light of Royalty : you came to clear up a doubt—to con- firm a suspicion!” added the heir-apparent, em- phatically, although in a low voice: for he now comprehended the meaning of those portions of Lord Florimel’s letter which are printed in italic. * Your Royal Highness thanks me for my fore bearance,” said Pauline, looking down and speak- ing in a tremulous tone: “ but I: deserve no praise for having exercised a proper control over my feelings. Think you that I obtained an introduction hither for the sake of proclaiming my sister’s | wrongs aloud? No: Iam not so insensate,” she | Ee lady cast envious eyes upon Pauline, as his eee eee (C(O) nn) (C 6)(0)() SHGO