The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 276: what you’re looking at

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

——— TNE MYSTERIES. 261 added, raising her eyes and fixing them for a mo- ment upon the countenance of the Prince. 1 read astern decision in your looks, Pauline,” he said, with a visible tremor: “what does it mean?” . “It means that justice must be done to my sis- ter—or that her wrongs shall be bitterly avenged,” answered Pauline, in reality speaking with a strong emphasis, but still without any excitement being apparent to the eyes of those who stood near. “ Vengeance ?— do you talk of vengeance, Pau- line 2” saidthe Prince, unable to control an iro- nical modulation of his voice. ‘ Remember that it is as foolish as it is rude to breathe such a word in the ears of one who can crush his private enemies, as if they were worms.” * Your Royal Highness’s sister, the Princess So- phia, will protect and shield me—/or her own sake,” answered Pauline, in a cold, firm, and collected tone, Fortunate was it foe the Prince of Wales that the quadrille commenced at this moment, and that the start which he gave, as Miss Clarendon men- tioned his royal sister’s name, was thus absorbed as it were in the opening of the Terpsichorean evolu- tions. For like lightning searing his brain, did the remembrance fiash to his imagination that the Princess's frailty was known to Pauline; and this circumstance had escaped his memory and been totally lost sight of during the brief and hurried dialogue which we have just described. “Pauline,” he said, when the arrangements of the dance again allowed them an opportunity of conversing, “it is impossible that we can tali at our ease upon a certain subject this evening. But —tell me—does your sister know that you were to be presented at Carlton House——” * Octavia entertains not the remotest suspicion of my intention,” interrupted Pauline. “She is unaware that I have undertaken the champion- ship of her wrongs—the vindication of the black treachery which has been practised upon her.” ’ “Your words are severe, young lady,” said his Royal Highness, with flushing countenance. “Not more severe than your conduct deserves,” responded Pauline, mildly but firmly. “ Well—we will discuss all this on as early an occa- sion as you choose to appoint,” observed the Prince. “ But answer me one or two questions, Pauline—for you are not so ungenerous as to leave me in a State of suspense on points of no possible interest to yourself.” “ Certainly not,” said the young lady. “If your Royal Highness will put those questions” “You will answer them? Thanks for the assur- ance which your words imply. Tell me, then—are the Earl and Countess of Desborough aware of your object in coming hither this evening?” “On my honour, they are not,” replied Pauline, emphatically: “they believe that I am instigated by those mingled motives of curiosity and vanity which young ladies naturally entertain in this respect.” * And now tell me whether Lord Florimel——” “Yes—he is acquainted with all my motives,” interrupted Pauline. “I willnot deceive your Royal Highness in a single point: but at the same time I will assure you that Lerd Florimel is incapable of betraying this secret so long as it shall please me to Keep it and have it kept.” ———— “ One word more, Pauline,’ said his Royal High- ness: then, sinking his voice to a whisper which was barely audible, he asked, “ Does Lord Florimel know of that adventure at the villa in the Edgeware Road —that adventure, I mean, in which my sister the Princess Sophia—-~” “God forbid that I should have betrayed a secret which every sentiment of honour, propriety, and humanity has hitherto enjoined me to keep!” ex- claimed Pauline, in a low but emphatic tune. “You are really a noble-minded girl!” said the Prince, not making the remark in the hope of conci- liating Pauline’s favour in the affair of her sister, but speaking with a sincerity which he expressed as it were in spite of himself. Again did the requisitions of the dance compel them to break off their discourse; and as soon as they were once more enabled to resume it, the Prince said, “ When and where will you oblige me with an interview, Pauline?” “T will write to your Royal Highness in the course of a few days,” was the answer. “In the meantime, fear not that the breath of scandal shall be allowed to sport with the united names of yourself and Octavia.” ‘* But you will tell Octavia that you have been here to-night 2—youn will reveal to her that the identity of her lover with the Prince of Wales is no longer sub- ject toa doubt?” said the heir-apparent: “and then she will betray everything in the frantic wildness of her grief. tt “ You know, then, that her anguish will be rending in the extreme,” interrupted Pauline: “and yet you seem to be more solicitous for your own safety than for the peace of mind of that confiding and innocent girl whom you have ruined. Prince of Wales, I hate you for your inoriinate selfishness,” added Pauline, in a low but strangely emphatic tone: and for an instant her eyes, usually so melting and ten- der, shot forth the lightnings of an implacable feeling as she fixed her looks on the countenance of the heir- apparent. “Tt is better that we should converse no longer on this subject, Miss Clarendon,” he said, deeply hu- miliated, yet unable to resent what he conceived to be the insult conveyed in the spirited young lady’s words. “You have promised to write to me—and in the interval,’ he observed, assuming a kinder tone, “T trust to your goodness to pacify Octavia. Any reparation which it les within my power to make —~~” “Your Royal Highness perceives that the quad- rille is now over,” interrupted Pauline, coldly : “and, as you yourself have observed, it will be better not to prolong our discourse on a very painful subject.” The Prince of Wales made no reply, but conducted the young lady to a seat, where he left her witha bow. Florimel was almost immediately afterwards by her side; and, witha look full of solicitude, he said, “‘ My beloved Pauline, you have passed through a most painful ordeal—I know you have! That your worst suspicions are confirmed, I am certain— and that the Prince has been ta]king to you upon the subject, is apparent from your manner.” “ Heavens! Gabriel,” murmured the young lady, seriously alarmed : “do my looks indicate that the topic of conversation between his Royal Highness and myself was of a serious or unusual nature? If so, a strange and prejudical construction may be put thereon: and it may be supposed,” she added, a MICLMOO GC () Sal (©