The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 276: what you’re looking at

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

VISITORS AT ST. JAMES’S 247 informed that you are not precisely honest in your present intentions, that you pass under a false name — ”’ A peculiar smile gradually appeared upon Jocelyn’s classically chiselled lips as the princess thus spoke hesitat- ingly and timidly, but it was a smile not of conscious guilt preparing to veil itself under the mask of sophistry or effrontery; it was the smile of sublime confidence which the honourable and virtuous man puts on when he hears an accusation which he can easily explain or a calumny which he can readily refute. He thereupon entered into certain details which we are not permitted at present to reveal to the reader, but which the Princess Sophia heard with mingled astonishment and satisfaction, the latter sentiment being experienced because she was well pleased that a young man who had already made so favourable an impression on her mind could prove not only that he was as honourable as he was handsome, but that his honour was of the most mag- nanimous and lofty description. For a long time did they continue in earnest and con- fidential discourse. They viewed the position of the Princess of Wales in all its bearings, they scanned all its difficulties, and they studied all the obstacles which would have to be encountered by any one who strove to succour that unfor- tunate princess. ‘Know you,” inquired Sophia, after a brief pause, ‘‘ who those Englishmen were that assisted you to escape in France? ”’ ‘““T am still entirely in the dark on that head,” replied Loftus. ‘‘ The only clue that I at present possess is con- fined to such meagre evidences as that one was called ‘ my lord,’ another ‘ captain,’ and a third Robin; but from certain particulars mentioned in a few notes which passed between me and my unknown friends just prior to my release, I have every reason to suppose that Miss Clara Stanley, the elder sister of the young lady to whom I am engaged to be married, was the instigatrix of my deliverance. I shall call upon Miss Stanley either this afternoon or to-morrow, and perhaps ascertain from her the whole particulars.”’ “Then, on your release,’”’ said the princess, with an arch smile, “ you did fly back to Canterbury to behold your Louisa? ”’ “ Yes; and does your Royal Highness blame me,’’ cried Cconnicloooks (C(O)