The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 273: what you’re looking at

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

256 THE COURT OF LONDON said Agatha, advancing a step or two, ‘ this lady will be kind enough to go through the usual formality and give me her card, that I may present it to your Royal High- ness.”’ ‘Most cheerfully will I do so at once,” answered the lady, in a mild but firm voice, “‘ provided that the mention of my name may not In any way prejudice the object of my mission,’ and here her large dark eyes were swept rapidly over the three ladies in waiting, whom she no doubt at once perceived to be sisters, and thence perhaps guessed who they were. ‘Your card, madam?” said Agatha, somewhat imperi- ously. ‘“‘ No stranger is allowed to exchange words with her Royal Highness until the name has been duly announced and the presence of the individual approved of.” ‘“ May it please your Royal Highness,’’ said the lady, “‘ to read the letter of which I am the bearer? ’’ and she raised her hand to the bosom of her dress to draw forth the despatch she alluded to. “Madam, your card?’ repeated Agatha, now speaking more imperiously than before, and extending her hand to recelve the card which she thus demanded in a way that - showed she would take no refusal. ‘““ Yes,’’ said the princess, herself beginning to think there was something suspicious in the lady refusing to give her name, *“‘ you must announce who you are, and I promise that whatever name it may be, the avowal shall not in any way prejudice you, though I am at a loss to conceive how you should entertain such an idea, provided it be a name which you can make known without a blush.”’ But as the princess thus spoke, a blush did arise, and quickly. too, upon the cheeks of the lady, which Agatha, instantly perceiving, failed not to take advantage of. ‘This lady evidently dares not reveal her name,”’ she said. “ Tt will be much better for her to withdraw at once,’ ana this hint, intended indeed as a command, was accompanied by an imperious gesture of the hand. Now, in real truth, Agatha as senior lady in waiting, was only performing her duty by insisting on the name being given or on the lady’s prompt withdrawal. The lady herself seemed to know this full well, and, as the princess remained silent, allowing the affair tq take its proper course, she said, m GoOmMmicbooks (E(0)