The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 265: what you’re looking at

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248 THE COURT OF LONDON possible,” observed Emma. “ By the bye,” she added, suddenly turning the conversation to another topie as a thought struck her, “ did not her Royal Highness say some- thing yesterday about getting up private theatricals for our own amusement here at the villa? ’’ “Yes,’’ answered Julia, “ but in consequence of some observation that was made by one of the ladies, I fancy her Royal Highness will renounce the idea.”’ “Ah! I recollect,” said Emma. ‘ The princess was re- minded that her husband, the prince regent, had given a series of private theatricals at Carlton House, and she does not wish to imitate at Geneva what he does in London.’’ ‘““T noticed that her Royal Highness,’ continued Julia, “was looking, last evening, when we returned from our walk, over the file of English newspapers, and I saw that she ) was scanning with great attention a description which the - Tumes gave of the very first private representation, in December last, at Carlton House. I watched her Royal Highness as she read over the names of all the élite of the aristocracy who were present. Of course there was the briliant and incomparable Lady Sackville, the Countess of Curzon, the Marchioness of Conyngham, Miss Bathurst, Miss Arbuthnot, Lady Prescott — ”’ “Oh, never mind enumerating the names,’ interrupted Emma. ‘“‘ We have scanned them over and over again a dozen times. Depend upon it that her Royal Highness regards as a personal enemy, and also as a positive rival, every young and good-looking woman who visits at Carlton House.” . ‘“ No doubt she does, and naturally so under the circum- stances,’ observed Agatha. ‘‘ But what has all this got to do with the topic on which we were conversing, the private theatricals? ”’ “ Oh, only this,” returned Julia, ‘ that I was about to add, when Emma interrupted me, that so soon as her Royal Highness read over that list of names, she said, © Oh, I perceive that one must have the most dazzling beauties that can be congregated to make private theatricals go off well, and therefore we will not attempt anything of the sort here.’ This she said with considerable bitterness,’’ observed Julia. ) ; J | ‘ ss <t Gomichbooks (E(0)