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

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

o44 aote might have had oceasion at some time to write to your sister,” said Florimel, cruelly e:nbarrassed. “Write to my sister!’ ejaculated Panline, ia amazement. “Surely you cannot fancy that 0 vile & woman as the authoress of this letter must be, eould hold any correspondence with Octavia? O Gabriel! It is not because my sister has shown every proof of confidence towards him whom she loves—it is not because she is already his wife in the eyes of heaven, though not in the estimation of the world, that you should think so injuriously of her!” “ No—no—I was mistaken—I was wrong!” cried Florjmel. “And now let us change the discourse, my beloved Pauline ——” “We cannot abandon the topic in its present state,” said Miss Clarendon, firmly. “Who is the woman that wrote this letter, and whom you sus- pected to be in communication with Octavia ?” “TI dare not—must not——” stammered Florimel, with increasing embarrassment. “Oh! a light breaks in apon me!” suddenly ejaculated Pauline. “It is at the house of Mrs. Brace, the milliner, that Octavia meets her lover —— and you are in Mrs. Brace’s confidence——you told Oc- tavia so when you accompanied her home on that memorable morning —— Yes—everything confirms my suspicions——and it is this same Mrs. Brace who is the vile authoress of that mos: vile letter! My God! what will become of poor Octgvia? She is deceived —— I can read it all —-~—’’ And, covering her face with her hands, Pauline wept bitterly. | , “What have I done? — what mischief have I made?” cried Florimel, starting from his seat, and beginning to pace to and fro in an agitated manner. ‘To set myself right with you, Pauline, [ have en- gendered the most terrible suspicions in your mind ——” “It was my fault, Gabriel—dear Gabriel!” she exclaimed, springing towards him and throwing her armz about his neck. “ Yes—it was my fault,” she eontiuued, in a voice broken with deep sobs: “J compelled you to speak out—I extracted the truth from you——and [ appreciste all the delicacy which prompted you to remain silent —— Oh! my poor Octavia—I fear that you are deceived—betrayed— bost—undone: for no honourable man could place the woman whom he intends to make his wife in eoutact with a wretch so vile as this Mrs. Brace!” And Pauline sank, convulsed with grief, upon the sofa. “Tranguillise yourself, my beloved—in the name of God! tranquillise yourself,” said Florimel, adopt- ing his most soothing tone. “ All may not be so bad as you fancy —— Octavia's intended husband may not be acquainted with the real character of this Sirs. Brace—— Aud remember, dearest, that amongst men the milliner’s private avocation is not looked upon eee? “ Do not advance anything in extenuation of the wicked woman,” interrupted Pauline, with im- passioned tone and manner. “I will forget that you ever knew her—that you ever made her services available to your own purposes: for that such has been the case, is too evident, Gabriel —— Neverthe- lena, all ¢haé shall be forgotten, I say, if you will now fend me your assistance on behalf of my poor deluded sister, And remember, dear Gabriel,” continued the sweet girl, in a tone of earnest entreaty,— remember *hat when you become wy husband, Octavia is thereby -_ ws THR MYSTERIES. made your sister also—and as a brother you must be jealous of her honour. To her father —her na- tural protector — all this unhappy business cannot. be made known: but as you are already well ac- quainted with every detail—indeed, as it was from your own lips that I received the first hint respect- ing Octavia’s love and the connexion which she had formed so hastily—it is for you to unravel the whole, and asccrtain who this Mr. Harley really is.” “Mr. Harley !—is that the name?” inquired Flo- rimel, who now heard it for the first time; and at the same instant he recollected having been informed by Mrs. Brace that Octavia's lover was a man of rank and shortly to be married, but that he had not. the slightest intention of espousing the elder Miss Clarendon. “Yes — his name is Harley,” repeated Pauline. “But I will show you a portrait which bears the most striking resemblance to him—for I myself have seen this Mr. Harley, and I can vouch for the marvellous accuracy of the likeness.” Thus speaking, the young lady wiped away her (vars; and, opening a portfolio which lay upon the table, she displayed to the view of the astounded- Lord Florimel the portrait of his Royal Highness. the Prince of Wales. For nearly a minute the young nobleman gazed im speechless wonderment upon the print: but at length raising his eyes, and turning them slowly towarda Pauline, he was shocked to perceive that her coun- tenance was ghastly pale—that her looks were wild and haggard—and that the colour had even fled froim those lips which, naturally of such a delicious coral- were now almost as white as the pearls beneath. “My God! what is the matter?” exclaimed Fio- rimel, extending his arms towards her;—and she- sank, suddenly convulsed with sobs, upon his bosom. He seated himself on a chair—he took her upon his knees—he strained her passionately in a fond embrace —he kissed away the tears that now rained down her cheeks, to which the excitement of bitter anguish brought back a crimson glow. “ Sweetest—dearest Pauline,” he murmured in her ears, —“ tranquillise yourself, [ implore you! Never —never did I love you so ardently—so sincerely—eo devotedly, as at this moment. My God! tell me what I can do for you, angelic girl: but dry those tcars—subdue these rending sobs, I conjure-—-I en- treat you! Yes—I will behave as a brother towards Octavia—because it now rests with yourself when L shall demand your hand of Mr. Clarendon and lead you to the altar. As your husband, Pauline, I shall acquire the right to vindicate the honour of Octavia; —and you have only to breathe your commands, in order to see them executed !” “ Gabriel, your words console me —and these ge- nerous assurances which they convey render me as proud of you as [ was already fond,” said Pauline, of her own accord approaching her lips to his own and returning the fervent kisses which he imprinted thereon: then, gently disengaging herself from his embrace, and taking a seat by his side,—but placing one of her fair hands in familiar and artless confi- dence upon his shoulder,—she observed, while pass- ing her handkerchief across her eyes, “ You have now seen the portrait of Octavia’s lover; and if Mr. Har- ley be not the Prince of Wales himself, then never was resemblan:e more wonderful.” * 1 atm astonishe 1—Lewildered!" exclaiined Flo. ECOMICOOOKS CO