The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 205: what you’re looking at

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

180 THE COURT OF LONDON making. No sooner, therefore, had he opened that case and glanced upon that miniature, no sooner, indeed, had his eyes travelled from the features of the mother, as per- petuated by the limner’s art, to those of the daughter briliant with the animation of youthful life, when he closed the case again, and returning it to his pocket, instantaneously took the hand of Florence, saying, “‘ Pardon me, young lady, pardon me, but you suddenly reminded me of a dear friend now no more.”’ Florence became overwhelmed with confusion, almost with dismay, for she felt that the prince’s hand trembled nervously as he held her own, and there was something so peculiar, so touching, so appealing at the moment in his looks, that she experienced the strangest and most unac- countable feeling springing up in her heart. It was as if, all in a moment, she became deeply interested in this prince whom she had never seen before. But, ah, little did she suspect that it was nature asserting its empire within her gentle bosom, and influencing her with those promptings that were so mysterious, so inscrutable, and so profound! ‘‘ Permit us to retire, sir,’’ now interjected Lady Florimel, fearful that the scene might go to such a length as to excite suspicion in the mind of Florence, and render some explana- tion indispensable for the purpose of allaying it. ‘‘ Lady Florimel,”’ said the prince, fixing his looks upon her in a peculiar manner, “‘ I hope that your noble husband and yourself will some day favour the reception-rooms at Carlton House with your presence, and that you will be accompanied by your amiable niece.’ Pauline bowed, but gave no reply. Then, taking the hand of Florence, she whispered, hastily, ‘“ Let us withdraw.” The young lady’s thoughts were thrown into such confusion by the prince’s manner, the words he had addressed to her, and the emotions which they had suddenly conjured up, that she scarcely knew what she was doing, but mechan- ically making a graceful salutation, she suffered her aunt to lead her from the room. Sir Robert Conway followed, and when they reached the Princess Sophia’s apartment, Florence was so overcome by the powerful yet unaccountable agita- tion of her feelings that she burst into tears. Lady Florimel threw a rapid glance upon the princess, as much as to say, ‘Did I not prophesy some such result as this?’ and her Gomicbooks (E(@)