The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 222: what you’re looking at

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

THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE 193 wickedness,’’ said the Princess Sophia, terribly afflicted and profoundly humiliated at being thus compelled to listen to the recital of a parent’s iniquities. “Tis, alas! all too true,’ observed the Princess Charlotte. ‘“ And, oh,”’ she exclaimed, bursting into tears, ‘‘ how shall I ever be able to meet my father again, otherwise than to overwhelm him with reproaches for his conduct toward my mother? For observe, my dear aunt,” she cried, suddenly Wiping away her tears, and evidently deriving solace from the thought which had just struck her and to which she was about to give utterance, ‘‘ not once throughout that long conversation which I overheard this morning did either the queen or Mrs. Owen venture to impute a single crime to my poor mother. On the contrary, it is because the conspirators know her to be virtuous that they are compelled to invent imputations against her and suborn perjurers to weave the meshes of circumstantial evidence around her in order to consummate her ruin. The mere existence of this con- spiracy, without even all the frightful details that have come to my knowledge, would be sufficient to prove my mother’s innocence and virtue. Then wherefore is she thus persecuted? Why have I been for years separated from her? At first, when I was a child, I was told that it was not consistent with my rank as lineal heiress to the throne to be brought up under my parents’ care, and knowing no better, but believing what I was told, I repined not. But as I grew up, misgivings relative to the truth of those representations entered my mind, and, as you are well aware, my dear aunt, I have for the last two or three years been much afflicted, much grieved, not only at being sepa- rated from both my parents, but also because they them- selves are separated. You know,” added the Princess Charlotte, with the fervid eloquence of feelings deeply moved, “‘ that such have been my griefs.”’ “T know it, alas! too well,’? exclaimed the Princess Sophia, throwing her arms around the neck of her young and handsome niece. ‘‘I know it, my beloved Charlotte, for you have poured forth all your woes into my bosom, and I have done my best to console you.”’ “Yes, you have been a dear, fond relative to me,” replied the royal niece, affectionately returning the aunt’s caresses. ‘How often have you sustained my drooping spirit, and CoOnniclooolks (C(O)