The Mysteries of the Court of London by Pauline Clarendon — page 399: what you’re looking at

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

396 THE COURT OF LONDON could not avoid noticing, but which she affected not to per- ceive. ‘“‘ There is one point, however, which you must clear up, beauteous lady,’’ he continued, after a few moments’ pause; “‘ and we will then change the conversation, nay, more, we will consign the topic to oblivion, at least so far as words are concerned.” , “And that point?” said the countess, interrogatively. “The name of the individual in whose arms my sister forgot her duty and her chastity,’’ was the prompt reply. “ You will reveal that secret to me — ”’ “Never!” ejaculated Eleanor, in a determined tone. “Your Royal Highness must indeed entertain a despicable opinion of me to imagine even for an instant that I should betray the illustrious princess who has honoured me with her confidence, and whose friendship I enjoy.”’ And the magnificent eyes of the lady flashed forth the fires of indignation and wounded pride. “Pardon me, lovely countess, pardon me!” exclaimed the prince, falling on his knees at her feet, and seizing one of her hands, which he pressed to his lips. Eleanor was so amazed and bewildered by this sudden action on his part, that she had not presence of mind sufficient to enable her immediately to withdraw her hand; and the royal voluptuary, who never entertained a very high opinion of female virtue, pressed that fair hand all the more warmly to his lips, with the idea that it was now voluntarily aban- doned to him. For an instant living lightning seemed to circulate with thrilling transport through the veins of the lady, and an ineffable sensation of bliss seized upon her; but in another moment her virtue triumphed over the ardour of her nature, and, snatching back her hand, she exclaimed, ‘* Your Royal Highness forgets who I am!” The dignity of this reproach, the tone in which it was uttered, and the manner with which it was accompanied, would have covered with confusion and shame any other libertine than the Prince of Wales. But being accustomed to an almost unprecedented success amongst women, and setting little value upon the first display of resistance to his will, he was unabashed by the reproot which he now ex- perienced. ‘“ Never will I rise from my knees, dearest lady.” he ex- CORNIE DOO KS (EO) m