The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 279: what you’re looking at

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

262 - THE COURT OF LONDON “Then I desire you to speak with your usual frankness now,’ said the princess, both encouragingly and impatiently. ‘Come, baron, what is your opinion? ”’ ‘1 think, may it please your Royal Highness,”’ said Ber- gaml, “‘ that 1) Lady Prescott had been suffered to enter into details, she would have explained any seeming contradictions or anomalies in all this proceeding. For instance, she might have stated how it is that the letter is dated in December and is only delivered in May, how she comes to be the bearer of it, where Mr. Loftus is, and all other particulars. I there- fore think, may it please your Royal Highness, that con- sidering this letter emanates from the Princess Sophia, that it addresses you so seriously, and that it adjures you so solemnly, I think, I say, that it would have been prudent to have heard Lady Prescott at greater length, notwithstanding it was indiscreet in the beginning for a lady in her condition _ to have appeared before you. At all events, if Mr. Loftus be in Geneva, as I think is probable, it would be but prudent to see him.” | ‘Then I have made up my mind how to act,’’ exclaimed the princess, who was entirely a creature of impulse, and, starting abruptly from the garden seat, she added, “ Baron, I confide this matter entirely to you, with the request that you lose no time in sifting it to the very bottom. You, as a man, can see Mr. Loftus, whatever be his character; you can hear what he has to say, and judge accordingly. But if he be not at Geneva, then may you probably find out Lady Prescott’s abode, and with some suitable apology for intro- ducing yourself to her, ascertain what more she may have to say upon the business which brought her hither ere now. In conducting these inquiries let this letter itself serve as your credential.’’ With these words the Princess Caroline placed Sophia’s despatch in the hands of Bergami, who forthwith took his departure to enter upon the investigation with which he was now charged. ‘The princess then reéntered the villa, followed by the three sisters, who exchanged looks of appre- hension and alarm with each other. ‘“T can now dispense with your attendance until dinner- time,’”’ said her Royal Highness to the young ladies, “for I shall retire to my own room and pen a long epistle to the Princess Soghia, who at all events must have been animated EGOmMichdoo cS (E(0)