The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 154: what you’re looking at

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

THE ROYAL BROTHER AND SISTER = 1383 ‘“‘ By one of the inscrutable impulses of nature,’’ said the prince, his look suddenly assuming more of what may be termed a religious seriousness than for years past it had ever been accustomed to put on, ‘‘ your maternal feelings, Sophia, have been touched, and evidently to some depth. Whether it be curiosity to behold one’s offspring, whether it be some intuitive prompting of latent love, or whether it be one of those impulses which have their origin in a moment of the heart’s weakness, I cannot say; but not the less certain is 1t that [ have more than once experienced, within the last year or two, a similar feeling to that which has this day manifested itself in you.”’ “What mean you, my dear brother?” inquired the princess. ““T will soon explain myself,’ he continued. ‘In the same way that you experienced a desire to behold your son, even if it be only for a single moment, so am I influenced by an earnest longing to cast my eyes, if only for a moment likewise, upon my daughter. You know full well that Florence Eaton, the niece of Lord and Lady Florimel, is my own child, the daughter of that Octavia, Pauline’s sister, whom I loved with so profound an adoration.” “ But Florence knows not that you are her father,” observed the princess, gently. ‘““ No, nor is it necessary that she shou!d, not a whit more necessary than that your son should be made aware that you are his mother. You are intimate with the Florimels,”’ continued the regent, “‘ and you can so manage matters that some day, for a few moments, my daughter may appear in my presence and speak to me, although without being aware that she is my daughter.” “ Do you not know, George, that your name is seldom, very seldom mentioned in the presence of Pauline? for her husband and her friends are ever fearful of reviving the memory of her dead sister.’’ “ Yes, and also because the Florimels regard me as the destroyer of poor Octavia’s health, happiness, and life,”’ added the prince, in a mournful tone; and for an instant he seemed as 1f remorse had touched his heart, for an expression of unutterable anguish suddenly swept over his countenance. “But it will not be necessary for me and the Florimels to meet,’ he added, immediately. ‘‘ Do you arrange matters Conniclooolks (C(O)