The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 29: what you’re looking at

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

MR. CLARENDON 11 I request an interview with you alone, Mr. Clarendon, I do not mean to exclude your fair bride from our conference.” Fernanda’s countenance now brightened up; and Mr. Clarendon led the way to an adjacent apartment, Lord Florimel being thus left to console ms well-beloved Pauline in the drawing-room. ‘‘ T have already hinted,”’ said the Duchess of Devonshire, when she was alone with Mr. and Mrs. Clarendon, ‘‘ that the nature of the communications which I have to make is two- fold. -On one side there is a great calamity, on the other an amazing piece of good fortune. I will not, however, insult you, Mr. Clarendon, by intimating that the latter will entirely compensate for the former; but as you are a man of the world and doubtless entertain that laudable ambition which ani- mates the breasts of all human creatures, you will doubt- less perceive in the favourable tidings a certain atonement as well as solace for the evil intelligence.”’ ‘““T beseech your Grace to explain yourself at once,’ said Mr. Clarendon, trembling all over with nervous anxiety and suspense. ‘“‘In the first place,’’ continued the duchess, ‘‘ you must prepare to hear unpleasant news neapeeeng your elder daughter, Octavia.’ “ Ah! what of her? ”’ ejaculated Clazenilos; the feelings of a father suddenly vibrating painfully to the ominous sound of words which appeared to herald the revelation of a mis- fortune. “Your daughter, your elder daughter, the lovely and fascinating Octavia,” said the duchess, solemnly, ‘‘ has been seduced.”’ “Impossible! ’”’ cried the wretched man, bounding upon his chair as if a bullet had penetrated his heart. ‘‘ She is virtue itself.’’ “ Alas! alas! ”’ exclaimed Georgiana, “her virtue has yielded to the influence of love and temptation.” ‘““ Maledictions upon the man who has blighted that fair flower! ’’ thundered forth the enraged father, springing from his seat and gesticulating with awful vehemence. ““ Stay! stay! ”’ cried Georgiana, catching him by the arm. ‘““He who has thus deeply injured you in one sense has vouchsafed a royal act of bounty in another.” “A royal act!’ repeated Clarendon, catching at the (C(O) AG } KS {