The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 203: what you’re looking at

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

178 THE COURT OF LONDON ment many of the most diabolical laws and decrees have at different times received the royal signature. Into this room did the master of the household now conduct Lady Florimel and Florence Eaton. Pauline, who knew what was to happen, had some difficulty in concealing a certain amount of agitation and excitement which arose from the prospect of the interview that was now close at hand. As for Florence, totally unsuspecting whom she was about to meet, she followed her aunt in gay and cheerful confidence; but when Sir Robert Conway, on throwing open the door, exclaimed, ‘‘ Good heavens! what have I done? the prince regent is here! ”’ the lovely girl trembled all over at the sudden idea of finding herself face to face with his Royal Highness. Oh, if she had only known, if she had only entertained the slightest scintillation of a suspicion that the prince was in reality her father, the author of her being, how different would have been her emotions, how far more solemnly and pathetically interesting this hour of her life! — As a matter of course, Sir Robert Conway affected to be overwhelmed with confusion in observing the prince regent in the Royal Closet. Pauline likewise stepped back a few paces, but with a really natural recoil from the destroyer of her sister, and not with any affected surprise or alarm, while her young, timid, and beautiful niece clung to her arm in vague terror lest this intrusion on their part should . be visited by some unpleasant remonstrance. The prince, who as a matter of course through prearrange- ment had been located in the Royal Closet, now stepped forward, and with that easy yet elegant assurance which characterized him at once exclaimed, ‘‘ Do not be alarmed, my dear Conway. I presume you have brought these ladies hither to view the apartment, and they shall not be dis- appointed.” ‘““ May it please your Royal Highness,” said the courtly Conway, with a low bow, ‘‘ Lady Florimel and her niece, the Honourable Miss Eaton, will present their duty to your Royal Highness.” Pauline bowed with a matron’s dignity, accompanied by a due amount of respectful courtesy, and Florence, recovering her presence of mind at the reassuring words of the prince, made a graceful salutation. This homage on the part of the ladies was acknowledged by what the court Gomicbdooks (E(0)