The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 299: what you’re looking at

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

282 THE COURT OF LONDON all idea of obtruding myself upon the princess’s notice again. Indeed, I prayed, fervently prayed, that she might forget me, so as to be enabled to give up her thoughts wholly and undividedly to the husband whom expediency and diplomacy had selected for her. I heard of her marriage; next I heard that she was unhappy; then I heard that she had given birth to a daughter, and that even this circumstance had failed to endear her royal husband to her. Years and years elapsed. I had opportunities of pushing my way in the world, but my mind had grown too unsettled to allow me to take advantage of them. I abandoned my diplomatic career and joined the Prussian army. Without vanity I can say that the credentials I possess are those of which any military man may be proud. In a short time I rose to the rank of captain, and fought in all the dread campaigns in which Prussia bore her part against Napoleon. But if I had aban- doned the seclusion of the diplomatic cabinet in order to fly from thought, I assuredly had gained nothing by the change, for my pursuer followed me through all the mazes of war, © even into the ranks of battle. At length the abdication of Napoleon at Fontainebleau and his retirement to Elba gave a short peace to Europe, — that peace which is now to be disturbed again by the wild ambition of this meteor-man whom it is impossible not to admire and gaze up to as the mightiest of warriors, the greatest of heroes, and the grandest of emperors. Quitting the army at the time of the abdication, I visited Italy for my amusement, and some months ago | was suddenly startled by the intelligence that her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales was traveiling in the same country. and was indeed daily expected at the same city where I then was. I was now seized with feelings which I cannot attempt to describe. Suffice it to say that I was impelled by an irresistible power to see the princess. Against this impulse [ struggled for several days, but it grew stronger than myself, and, yielding to it, I proceeded to the hotel at which she had taken up her quarters. On sending up my card. I was at once admitted to her presence, and she received me with a frank affability and a warm-hearted candour which seemed to say as plainly as looks and actions can possibly have a meaning, ‘ I receive you as an old friend. In the name of friendship, welcome. There must be an eternal silence, if not oblivion, with regard to that episode CORNIELOOO KS, (EO) mm