The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 260: what you’re looking at

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

THE QUEEN 231 ‘“ depend upon it I shall find means to put a stop to any such ridiculous proceeding, and when you next meet your aunt Sophia, the best thing you can do will be to remain silent on the subject. Now you understand me, and I wish you good night.” The young princess made no reply, but turned away with swelling heart, and as the door closed behind her grand- mother, she threw herself into an armchair and burst into an agony of tears. “This, this indeed is slavery! ’’ she murmured to herself. | ““T am as much enchained as any one of those poor and oppressed millions who are compelled to obey the despot rule of royal sway. The only difference between us is that their chains are of iron undisguised, while mine are gilt. Oh, my poor mother, am I[ indeed separated from thee by an impassable gulf? May I not warn thee of the perils which the machinations of thine enemies are conjuring up around thee? Am [I indeed a prisoner within these walls? But who will dare make me so? ”’ And rising from her seat with a sudden assumption of that dignified energy which so well became her, the princess advanced toward the door. ‘To her surprise, the handle yielded to her touch, for she almost expected to find it locked. Then she paused, mistrustful, as it were, of being left thus far free, for she fancied either that the queen was watching at the end of the passage, or that she had set spies upon her. But again recovering all her presence of mind, she issued forth from her room and proceeded along the passage, but without any definite aim. Suddenly a thought struck her, and obeying the impulse of the idea, she knocked at the door of Mrs. Bredalbane’s antechamber. The summons was almost immediately answered by Lady Prescott, who had not yet retired for the night, but was still keeping her invalid friend company. And here we may observe that her ladyship was a young widow, six and twenty years of age, and exceedingly good- looking. Her beauty was of an Oriental cast, her complexion was dark, her eyes were very fine, and her teeth were like ivory. As for her eyes, she now opened them wide with astonishment on beholding the Princess Charlotte returning thither after the taunts and reproaches she had received from the queen. Cconnicloooks (C(O)