The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

PAULINE 3 was indeed promised for the forenoon of this Saturday on which we find her so anxiously awaiting the arrival of her Grace. Scarcely had she read the contents of that page which in a few moments became moistened with her tears, when a carriage stopped at the door. Thrusting the letter in her bosom, Pauline hurried to the window; and a faint smile of satisfaction appeared upon her lips, as she beheld her de- voted lover, Lord Florimel, descend. Another minute, and she was clasped in his arms. ‘What news of Octavia, my dearest Pauline?’”’ he de- manded, leading her to a seat and placing himself by her side. Then, perceiving that her countenance bore traces of recent weeping, he exclaimed, ere she had time to reply, “Alas! nothing satisfactory, I am afraid. But tell me, Pauline, has any additional intelligence reached you? ”’ ‘“ None, dear Gabriel,’’ was the answer. ‘‘ You are aware that the Duchess of Devonshire was to call this morning; but it is now past midday, and she has not yet made her appearance.” “Her Grace will be sure to come, beloved girl,’’ said Florimel, speaking in his most soothing tone and lavishing the tenderest caresses upon the charming creature on whom his affections were so devoutly fixed. ‘‘ Let us hope for the best.”’ ‘“‘ Oh, I am almost wearied of indulging in hope concerning this fatal amour of my unhappy sister with the prince,” ex- claimed Pauline, reposing her beauteous head upon her lover’s shoulder and pressing his hand in both her own. ‘‘T tremble for the consequences, Gabriel. What can I do, if her Grace should not come? Or how am I to act in the still more embarrassing position in which I shall be placed if Octavia do not return home well in health and comparatively tranquillized in mind? Must I not fly to her and offer the consolations of a sister? And yet how can I leave my father unattended by either of his daughters? Moreover, such a step on my part would probably engender suspicions in his mind — ‘“‘ But he is aware ‘chat Octavia is staying with the duchess, is he not? ” inquired Florimel. ‘““ Yes,’ was the answer. ‘“‘ He does not, however, suspect that she is ill, much less that she has anything so very (C(O) ANCE