The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 166: what you’re looking at

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

ERNESTINA AND THE PRINCE 143 The lady locked up the paper in the drawer of a chiffonier standing in one of the window recesses, and then took her seat upon a sofa, the prince placing himself by her side. At the same instant his looks fell upon the door communicating with the mysterious suite of apartments; and, as a train of recollections associated therewith gushed through his memory, he said, “‘ Ernestina, my darling, have you ever been in those rooms? ”’ : ‘““ Never,”’ she replied. ‘“‘ They are my uncle’s private apartments, and he does not allow any one save his valet, Stephen Brockman, and the housekeeper to enter them.”’ ‘‘ And have you never been inspired with curiosity suffi- cient to induce you to explore those forbidden regions? ”’ asked the royal voluptuary, now seized with an ardent longing to witness the effect of the gallery’s contents upon Ernestina, whose passions he hoped to see flame up to a maddening pitch. “To speak candidly,’’ she replied, ‘‘ I have wished to penetrate into the secrets of those apartments; but I have never found an opportunity. The door has always been locked.”’ “Ah! you little vixen,’’ exclaimed the prince, patting her cheek; “‘ you have tried the door, then? ’’ ‘Do you not know that woman’s curiosity is as great as her capacity for love?” said Ernestina, laughing. ‘ But have you ever visited those apartments, — you, who are so intimate with my uncle? ” “I have, dearest Ernestina,’”’ responded the prince, ““and I can assure you that they contain the choicest specimens of statuary and painting. Ah! how I should rejoice to become your guide there! ’’ : “It is impossible,”’ said Ernestina, rising from the sofa and trying the door. ‘‘ You perceive it is locked, and I dare not ask Brockman for the keys, even if my uncle had left them in his possession,”’ she added, returning to her seat. ‘Are you not aware that there is a secret entrance from the dressing-room of the marquis? ’’ inquired the prince. Then, without waiting for an answer, he exclaimed, “ But of course you are not, otherwise you would long ago have obtained access to the apartments by that means of com- munication.”’ “No doubt,” exclaimed Ernestina, laughing, and dis- GOMmiiGc doo (A) ‘Ss (CO)