The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 255: what you’re looking at

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224 REYNOLDS’ WORKS his freedom, and at length my father would have given it, but I, alas—”’ The princess stopped short, and Sagoonah, slowly rising from her kneeling position, retreated to a respectful distance, where she stood in her wonted attitude, her bayadere form upright, and her face inclining toward the splendidly mod- elled bust which the arrangements of her linen dress left more than half-revealed. ‘‘’Twas strange,’ proceeded Indora, after a brief pause, and again speaking in a musing manner, “ that my inter- ference should have come to Clement Redcliffe’s knowledge, for my father would scarcely have spoken of it. Doubtless it was a surmise, though a correct one, on Redcliffe’s part, but how bitter were the reproaches which he levelled against me at the time. Ah, that was a scene of fearful excitement which I can never forget.”’ | ‘Your Highness has suffered much for your love’s sake,”’ observed Sagoonah, gently. ‘Love is a rose with thorns,’”’ answered Indora, in a mournful voice, “‘ and perhaps, my faithful Sagoonah, it is fortunate for you that you have never experienced that sentiment. To me it has proved a source of illimitable happiness and of almost overwhelming affliction, — the soul alternating between a paradise of bliss and Satan’s kingdom. No, Sagoonah, seek not to learn what love is; avoid it if you have the power. Happier, far happier are you than your unfortunate mistress.” “Ts hope, then, at this instant dead within the bosom of your Highness? ’’ inquired the Hindu dependent. ‘““Oh, how can I explain the exact nature of my own feelings?’ cried Indora, almost petulantly. ‘‘ When the ocean is agitated into mighty waves, the bark which is floating over it rises at one moment to the summit of a billow, and is the next plunged down into the abyss. So it is with my heart, — now at one instant elevated by hope, at another plunged into despair. For the vessel, when thus storm-tossed, beholds from the summit of the billows the beacon-light shining afar off and marking the entrance of the refuge harbour, but when borne down into the deep, deep trough of the sea, the mariner on board his vessel beholds nought save the dark, gloomy, menacing waters around him. And so, again, is it with my heart. Now, Gomicbooks (E(0)