The Mysteries of the Court of London by Pauline Clarendon — page 185: what you’re looking at

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

182 THE COURT OF LONDON erly applying to such behaviour; and now I beseech and implore you not to cherish a lasting indignation against me. On the contrary, dearest, dearest Pauline, on my knees do I pray you to accord a single syllable of hope to the wretched being who has thus merited your anger. Or, stay — one word more,’ exclaimed the young nobleman, suddenly drawing himself up as he was about to sink at the maiden’s feet. “* You know not who Iam, but I solemnly and sacredly offer you my hand in honourable marriage, for you are the first woman that ever yet made upon my soul an impression which in its very symptoms is far different from a passing caprice or an evanescent passion. Say, then, my beloved Pauline, say, will you consent to become the partner of my rank and fortune? will you change your own sweet name of Clarendon for that of Lady Florimel? ” “Who are you?” inquired the maiden, bewildered and amazed. “Speak! and deceive me not!” ‘““T am Lord Florimel — but still Gabriel to you,’ swered the young nobleman. At that moment a post-chaise drove up to the front of the house; and Pauline, hastily putting aside the window- curtain, looked forth into the road. “Gracious heaven! ’tis my father!’”’ she exclaimed, in accents of despair, as she turned once more toward Florimel. Then clasping her hands together in indescribable an- suish, she murmured, “‘ Octavia is not at home—and [ ia 77 ‘Courage! reassure yourself! ’’ hastily interrupted Flori- mel. ‘‘ In the name of everything sacred, I implore you to be calm, and all shall be well.” “But how? — what can we do?’’ demanded Pauline, now suddenly struck with a sense of her complete depend- ence upon the young nobleman to save her honour from even the faintest suspicion on the part of her father. ‘ What can we do, I ask?”’ she repeated; for at that moment a loud double knock at the door resounded through the house. “Again I say, compose yourself,’”’ exclaimed the noble- man, speaking collectedly though with the haste occa- sioned by the urgency of the circumstances. “ Listen to me attentively.”’ “1 do—I do,” interrupted Pauline, trembling all over like a timid dove. ’ an- GOmiGcbooks €o m