The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 377: what you’re looking at

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

344 THE COURT OF LONDON forget everything connected with myself. But now you * remind me that I have indeed been most remiss, and I would not for the world have you imagine that I purposely studied the slightest concealment toward you.”’ ‘Doubtless, then,” said Emma, ‘“ this long preface will herald the oy es of your name? ”’ ‘“ Have you ever heard of Colonel Malpas? ” inquired her companion, with a transitory look of uneasiness as to the impression that his words might make upon the young lady. ‘“ Yes,’’? she exclaimed, ‘‘ I have assuredly heard of him as one of the gay companions of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent. But for the last six months I have been away from England, and therefore unacquainted with all that has been going on in the fashionable world at home. But are you Colonel Malpas? ” ‘“T am,” replied this gentleman, well pleased to hear that his fair companion was so much in the dark as to home occurrences. And here we may observe that the colonel had shaved off his moustache, and, with his countenance slightly browned by the warmth of the sunny South, he had lost that air of a drawing-room officer which was wont to distinguish him. He had, moreover, to a certain extent got rid of the affected drawl in his voice, and thus, possessing a very handsome person and elegant manners, he was but too well calculated to make an impression upon any young female who was either tenderly sensitive or else fervidly licentious. Of this. latter description was Emma Owen, and thus was it that the assiduities of Colonel Malpas had from the very first proved so welcome to her that she had already made up her mind that if he should prove bold and daring the resistance she might offer would not be of too desperate a character. Besides, Emma had another reason for encouraging the colonel, —a reason altogether unconnected with her own sensual passions, but having reference to the part which she had to perform in carrying out the views of the conspirators against her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales. “ And you are Colonel Malpas?” she said, gazing with a kind of subdued tenderness upon her companion. Then, as a sudden idea seemed to strike her, she said, with altering voice and overclouding look, ‘‘ But if I mistake not, I have heard of a Mrs. Malpas, and therefore you are married? ”’ CoOnnicloooks (E(0)