The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 221: what you’re looking at

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

194 REYNOLDS’ WORKS ‘‘ Hush! no Highness here,’”’ said the princess, for such indeed she was; then with a gracious smile she added, “‘ But I forgot that we were speaking in our own native language. Tell me, Sagoonah, how like you this strange country? ” ‘‘ T have seen so little of it,’” was the response given by the ayah, and this time she was cautious not to address her mis- tress in a manner becoming her rank, “ that it would perhaps be wrong to pronounce an opinion. But I like any country where it suits you to dwell, and so long as I remain with you it is immaterial where.’’ “Yet you must have already formed an opinion,”’ resumed the princess, ‘‘ relative to this country of the great English people. Tell me frankly, apart from any feeling of devotion toward myself, to what conclusion it is that you have thus come? ”’ Sagoonah reflected for a few moments, and with downcast eyes; then suddenly raising those brilliant orbs, she said, decisively, ‘‘ Yes, I like England now.” At this moment a knock and ring were heard at the front door; the princess started perceptibly, and made a hasty sign to Sagoonah, who again glided from the apartment. The moment the door closed behind her, the princess experi- enced a still stronger access of trouble than she had previ- ously displayed; something like a shiver of anxiety and suspense passed over her, but the next instant her magnifi- cent countenance brightened up with hope and joyous expec- tation. The door opened, and Mr. Redcliffe was ushered into that apartment. The princess made a movement as if she would have risen from the ottoman where she was seated, and would have flown toward him, but she repressed that evident inclination, she remained where she was, and with her head partiaily bent down, she surveyed the visitor with a look that was full of fondness as well as mournful deprecation, and which like- wise seemed to implore pardon and mercy at his hands. And he, on his side, remained standing for nearly a minute close by the door, his tall form enveloped in his ample cloak, — that form which was so upright, so well knit, and so com- manding. His dark eyes were fixed half-severely, half- reproachfully upon the princess, but it was evident that there was the influence of constraint upon both, and that neither knew how to begin addressing the other. CORNICLIIOOKS (E(0)