The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 375: what you’re looking at

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

344 THE COURT OF LONDON feeling of delicacy, never subsequently enlightened Louisa in that respect. Thus the reader will understand that when Louisa heard the name of the Marquis of Leveson mentioned by the British consul, she knew nothing of the worst phases of his character, but only that he was one of the prince regent’s confederates in respect to the conspiracy against the Princess of Wales. These circumstances being duly borne in mind, it will be the more easy to comprehend the ensuing details of Louisa Stanley’s narrative. ‘Yes, on hearing that name of Leveson,” she continued, after a brief pause, ‘I felt that 1t was indeed probable he might know something of Jocelyn and of Jocelyn’s proceed- ing, since his lordship was so intimately connected with the machinations and designs of the prince and so well acquainted with the Misses Owen. Therefore, after thanking the Brit- ish consul for his kindness, I at once repaired to the hotel which he had named; and on inquiring for the Marquis of Leveson, I was introduced to his presence. If you have ever seen him, Clara — ”’ ‘“ Yes, — 1 — I think I must have seen him,”’ observed the elder sister, with a slight appearance of confusion. ‘“ But goon. What were you about to say? ” ‘“T was on the point of observing that his lordship is an elderly, if not an old man,” continued Louisa, “‘ and his age, added to the paternal kindness with which he received me, naturally inspired me with confidence. Besides, I was too anxious to be relieved of my dreadful suspense relative to Jocelyn to give way to much misgiving on my own account; and as he doubtless saw by my looks how torturing that sus- pense was, he at once entered on the painful topic alluded to in his pseudonymous letter. After a suitable preface, he proceeded with every appearance of gentleness and con- siderate caution to unfold a long tale of charges and accusa- tions against poor Jocelyn. Thus at his very first words I was so far relieved as to learn that the object of my affec- tions had neither sustained personal injury nor was dead, between which calamities my frenzied fancy had been cruelly alternating. But, oh, if I were indeed relieved from that poignant suspense and excruciating alarm, it was only to hear sufficient to prove, as I then thought, that henceforth Jocelyn was unworthy of the love which I had bestowed upon him. Nevertheless I could not, I would not, I dared (COU () Doaks (E(0)