The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 65: what you’re looking at

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50 “Then you forgive me for any indiscretion that I may have committed by so silly an allusion to your late husband?” said Florimel, not altogether believ- ing the story of the sudden indisposition. ‘“ How- ever, we will change the converSation,” he added, ob- serving that Mrs. Brace darted upon him a look so strange and sinister that it made him feel uneasy. “ Let us go back to the object of my visit. I was telling you, my dear friend, that for the last ten days or a fortnight I have not encountered a new face deserving a sigh or worthy of a tender emotion; and it struck me that you might have it in your ower * “T think that I can put you in the way of an ad- venture alike original and agreeable,” observed Mrs. Brace, who had by this time recovered her wonted equanimity and afiability. “Indeed !” exelaimed Lord Florimel. “ Speak— I am dying to hear your explanations.” “ Have a little patience,” said the milliner, now again smiling sweetly; “ and you shall know every- thing in good time. A certain gay gentleman of my acquaintance has discovered in a secluded wilderness two of the fairest flowers that ever graced the earth with their presenee.”’ “ Sisters, doubtless?” observed Florimel, interro- gatively. “ Yes—and of a beauty eclipsing all the brilliant charms that dazzle the eye in the circle of fashion,” continued Mrs. Brace. “One of these delightful creatures I have already seen—indeed, to speak can- didly, she is at this very moment beneath my roof——” “You are determined to wheedle me out of a hundred guineas to-night!” exclaimed the young nobleman, his cheeks flushing and his eyes beaming with licentious fires. ‘“‘ Nay—the elder sister is already disposed of,’ re- turned Mrs. Brace. “ While we are now conyersing together she is receiving her first lesson in the school of Venus; but the younger sister shall be yours.” “And is the one whom you thus promise me, as charming as the other?” asked the youthful yolup- tuary. “T have not seen her yet,’’ responded Mrs. Brace: “but I am assured that she is equal to her sister— and if this be the case, it strikes me that your lord- ship will have at length found an object on whom your affections will probably settle for a considerable period.” “You enchant me!” ejaculated Florimel. “ When and where can I see this angel?” “ Permit me to give you a brief but necessary ex- planation,” said the milliner. ‘“ These sisters are the children of a poor but respectable and highly con- nected gentleman, whois at present away from home. Octavia, the elder, has already fallen into good hands; —Pauline, the younger, may belong to you. Oc- tavia of course believes that her lover intends to marry her: whereas I need scarcely inform you that nothing is farther from his intention. Last night he declared his affection—to-night she has met him in this house: you may therefore imagine that her heart is very susceptible of the tender passion. It is fair to presume that Pauline may be won with equal ease ;—and no oneis better calculated to achieve such a conquest than yourself.” _ “I shall undertake it with all the ardour of a most impassioned wooer,’” exclaimed Lord Florimel. “ Nay—TI have thought of a scheme by which the THE MYSTERIES. fortress may be surprised and the victory won with ease,’ observed Mrs. Brace. ‘ Moreover, the adven- ture which I propose has in it something so roman- tic—so truly original—so piquant, to use a French expression—that I am certain beforehand of the de- light with which you will enter into it.” “My curiosity is even painfully excited,” cried the young voluptuary. “ Do you not think that you would look well in female attire?” demanded Mrs. Brace, surveying him with an arch smile. “Oh! now I comprehend you, my dear friend!” exclaimed Florimel. “It will be delicious! A young lady—separated from her mother in a crowd—lost her way—late in the evening—dreadfully alarmed— implores an asylum for the night-——” “ Excellent!” cried Mrs. Brace. “Your lordship enters fully into the spirit of my meaning. And now that [ have thus far gratified your curiosity, my dear Florimel, you will perhaps grant me your patience while I make a few very necessary observations in connexion with these charming sisters. I have already told you that a certain gay gentleman, to whose kind patronage I am as much indebted as to your own, has won the affections of Octavia, the elder: but as cogent reasons will prevent him from visiting her at her own abode when the father returns home, he is naturally desirous that she should con- sent to meet him here as frequently as it may suit his fancy to receive her. It would however be a difficult task for Octavia to remain long and often absent from home, without having the company of her sister ;—and I have therefore concluded that in order to secure the connivance of Pauline in Octayia’s love intrigues, itis absolutely necessary that Pauline herself should be led into a similar adventure. The two sisters will then make confidants of each other— and, by acting in concert, they will set the watchful- ness of the father at defiance,” “ Most admirably reasoned!” exclaimed Lord Florimel. “ Each sister being provided with a lover, they cannot reproach each other, but will mutually assist in the delightful intrigues! I must therefore presume that Octavia’s gallant has already recom- mended you to provide a lover for Pauline; and that you have honoured me with the preference.” “ Octavia’s admirer consulted me upon the subject just now, before his fair one arrived,” answered Mrs. Brace: “and he left it to my discretion to manage matters in such a way that his intrigue with the young lady should be enveloped in as much mystery and shrouded in as much security as possible.” “Then I presume that he is a man of rank, and married to a jealous wife?” said Florimel. ‘He is a man of rank, and shortly to be married,” responded Mrs. Brace. “ But you know that I never mention to the gentlemen of my acquaintance any- thing that regards each other. ‘ Honour and secrecy’ —that is my motto, Florimel.” “Tam well aware how discreet you are on those points, my dear friend,” observed the young noble- man ; “and you will give me credit for a total absence of curiosity relative to the affairs of other people, [ Little does it matter to me who or what Octavia’s lover is, so long as I possess the charming Pauline. But you have not yet told me when I am to com- mence the pleasing adventure which so much suits my fancy.” “Tn all probability to-morrow evening,” answered Mrs. Brace. “I will however send you a line in the Gomichbooksrscom