The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 261: what you’re looking at

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

232 THE COURT OF LONDON ) ‘“T wish to speak to you particularly,” said the young princess, passing into the antechamber. ‘‘ Has Mrs. Bredal- bane retired yet to rest? ”’ “No, your Royal Highness,” said Lady Prescott, and hastening to draw aside the curtain in the doorway, she thus afforded ingress for the youthful Charlotte to the inner room. “Now, ladies,’’ said the princess, coming to the point at once, and addressing herself in an earnest and serious manner to Mrs. Bredalbane and Lady Prescott, ‘‘ I have done you a service to-night and am about to crave a boon in return. The service which I rendered you was by for- bearing from mentioning to the queen that conversation which, to speak candidly, I overheard from the very first syllable of the narrative down to where it was so suddenly interrupted by the ejaculation which burst from my own lips on the appearance of her Majesty.” ‘Your Royal Highness heard all ?”’ ejaculated the two bedchamber women, as if speaking in the same breath. “Yes, every syllable relative to my uncle Ernest — or the Duke of Cumberland, as I would rather call him,” added the princess, with a shudder, “ for if the dreadful suspicions which I have formed be true, I would rather not acknowledge him as a relative.”’ “Your Royal Highness must not judge too hastily,” exclaimed Mrs. Bredalbane. ‘‘ The remainder of my narra- tive —”’ “Well, I long to hear it,” interrupted the princess, ‘‘ but I dare not remain here many minutes now. The queen is perhaps watching me, espying my actions, and she may either return to my room — ”’ “Oh, heavens! if her Majesty should have seen your Royal Highness come hither!” cried the Honourable Mrs. Bredalbane. ‘‘ She would discharge me at once.” “No, the queen did not see me come hither,’’ said the princess. ‘‘ And recollect,’’ she added, proudly, “I may some day become Queen of England, and then I shall know how to reward those who serve me now.” “Your Royal Highness may command us in all things,” said the two ladies, again speaking, as it were, in the same breath. “A thousand thanks for this assurance,’’ exclaimed ) Gomicbooks (E(0)