Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 377: what you’re looking at

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

360 THE COURT OF LONDON suggestion affords you pleasure. Promise me to do your best in this matter, as it is of the highest importance to me, in my amour with Octavia, that she should not obtain a defender, a monitor, and perhaps an avenger, in the person of a brother-in-law.’ “TY will do all that you have recommended,” said Mrs. Brace. | The prince was about to bestow upon her another tender caress as a reward for her ready complaisance, when the door opened and Harriet entered —or rather, burst into the room — with an afirighted countenance. ‘“What means this intrusion?’’ demanded his Royal Highness, haughtily. “Oh, madam!” exclaimed the lady’s-maid, addressing herself in an appealing manner to her mistress, as if be- seeching her to propitiate the wrath of the prince, — for she of course knew who the feigned Mr. Harley was, —‘‘ Oh, madam! pray pardon me, but such an ill-looking man has just called — and at the Pall Mall entrance, too —”’ ‘An ill-looking man,’ repeated Mrs. Brace, becoming deadly pale even through the roseate tinge which art had so delicately shed upon her cheeks, so that this woman, handsome to a degree of splendour, grew ghastly to behold. ‘Yes, madam,’ was the servant’s rapid and excited answer. ‘‘ And he says he must and will see you, as he has something particular to tell you about that robbery the other night — But, gracious goodness! he is coming this way — I hear his heavy footsteps approaching! ” “This is awkward — most awkward!” exclaimed the milliner, collecting all her courage to meet the emergency. ‘“ Your Royal Highness — ’”’ “ Perdition! I may be known — recognized!” ejaculated the prince, who had started from his seat at the sound of the advancing steps. ‘‘ Here! this will be best!” he added; and in another moment he was concealed behind the } 7? ample window-curtain which reached from the ceiling to the floor. Mrs. Brace would have given worlds that the prince should not have taken this step; but it was too late — the mischiet was accomplished in the twinkling of an eye, and scarcely had the waving of the curtain subsided when the Magsman appeared upon the threshold of the apartment. Harriet CORNIEOOOLKS (E()