The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 257: what you’re looking at

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EP wm CHAPTER LXX. AN UNEXPECTED MEETING. Tus olrarch-olecks ware striking twelve as Lord Flosimel handed Miss Pauline :‘Claranden into bis catrisge which was waiting at the door; and he ordered the coachman to drive to Devensbise House, Piccadilly. Away started the aplendid eqnipaga; aud the young nobleman falt-preud and bappy in having so-charming and aminble a eompaiion. On berade, Pauline was eo profoundly touched -by the frank and candid beha- vioar ef her lover daring she-canvemetion whieh had so recently passed between them, that her happiness would hare been complete, had net the position of her sister become s0 serious a: gause of lo -due time the earsiagestopped un front ef Devon- shire House; and the hall-porter, who answered the summons given ‘by ane-of Losd Rloximal's foetmen, | nobleman, aaid that her Grace was at homea The yaaung nobleman assisted Panline to alight ; and they ware conducted up a reagni&eent staircase, into a small but elegantly furniahed reer, where the Duchess.of Devenshire, attived in e guceful disha- +iliée, wen half reclining on a sofas planed so thatahe | ing might-catoh the warmth of the cheerful fire which blazed on the hearth. Fleuimael was a great favourite with the Duchess; and she meecived him with all the cordial familimity of a relative. Inadecoming manner and suitable terms he.presented Miss Panline Clarendes, with the, delieate intimation that she wae shortly to become Lady Florimel; and che Dunhesa, taking the young maniens hand, addsessed her with eo much affability and graceful courtesy that she was inatantly relieved of any embarrassment she bad at first experienced on finding herself in the présence of thet beilliant leader of the fashionable world. “It is very amiable of your Graee to reseive us at thie unseasonable hour,” said Florimel: “and an apology is mecessary on my part-——” “Not at all, Gabriel,” interrupted the Duchess. “ You are always welcome—and doubly so this morn- ing, inaemuch as you have: brouzht se interesting a companion. Bnt in che same friendly and uncere- nronious manner that I now receive you beth, must I inform you that I have only a quarter of an -hour to devote to you on this oecasion: fer at one o'clock her Royal Highness the Princesa Sophia and the Countess of Desborough will be here.” “ We will not intrude many menutes upon you, my charming and amiable cousin,” said Fiorimel. “To fact, I have a little favour to ask you——” “If you mean that J must be present on a certain day,” exclaimed the Duchess, with a smile of en- chanting archness, “and that [{ must keep myself disengaged for a particular ceremony, rest assured that I shall experience great pleasure in accepting the invitation. I hope you intend to make my volatile comain quite ateady, Miss‘Clarendon ft” “T asauredly hope that the hint contained in the words of your Grace will not be thrown away upon his lordship,” answered Pauline, amiding: “and I may add that I have the fullest and most intplicit confidence in him.” “You will make a very interesting pair—and | long to see you both standing at the altar,” said the Ouchess. “Indeed, you and I, Miss Clarendon, > —— ae ee oe =a Ee TBE MESTERIES. must become very good friends. In the coume of the ensuing weak I shall be receiving cempany: and I shall expect the pleasure of numbering yous- self and mater amongst ay gnests” “Then your Grace is aware that Miss Panhme has an elder sister?” observed Florimel “Me. Eston called upen me yesterday,” responded ‘the Duchess; “and he was enthusiastic in describing and praising his two charming.cousina. You there- fore perceive, Miss Olarendon, that I was ore possessed in your favour before I experienced te pleasure of knowing you.” “ The kindness with which your. Grace has re ceived ‘me, will never be forgotten,” observed Pau- line. “But I am -fearfn] that our visit has already been prolonged ——” And abe glanced significantly towarda Lend Florimel. “T waill.at once explain the favour which I have to solicit at your mands sue conn,” said the young the Duchess. “It was not pracieely t to ask nak your Brace: ‘~ honour our bridal-day with your psesence: although we should not hare Steirease,| omitted that .invitation—and now we consider year Grace pledged to accept it. But my Pauline is very. anxious to attend the Prinee’s ball to-merrew even- ae “And: nothing would have afforded me greater pleasure than to introduce her,” interrupted the Duchess: “but it is unfortunately impossible—inas- mouch as the ball is preceded by a dinner-party, to which I am honoured with an invitation On the next eocasion, however, Miss Clarendon may hold me engaged te aet the agreeable part of chaperon.” Pauline wasabgut to express her thanks for this promise so affably and teadily given, when the door was thrown open—and a fectman announced her Reyai Highness the Princess Sophia and the Countess of Desberpugh. But what pen can describe the amagement—what language .cam convey an idea of the astonishment of Pauline Clarenden, when in these ladies she recog- nised the Are. Mordauni and the Afra. Smith whom she had encoustered on an cegasion well remembered by the reader. The Princess Sophia did not immediately notice the young lady—because she was at once accosted by the Duchess of Devonshire, who hastened to con- duct her to a seat: but Eleanor instantanesusly beheld and recognised Pauline—and, though for one moment completely astounded, yet im the next she reeovered her presence of mind, and, with adumrable tact, approacbed her, saying, “My dear Miss Clarendon, I am rejoiced to meet you again. I hope that my friend Octavia is as well as your own ap- pearance preves you to be 7” Pauline murmured a few scarcely intelligible words in reply: for the sense of amazement had taken so strong a bold upon her that she could not immediately shake it o£ But she felt the Countess press with an unmistakable aiguificancy the hand which her ladyship had taken in her own: and raising her eyea, Pauline threw upon her a look which, though rapid, conveyed the assurance that “the secret was safe with ker.” “I am delighted that we have thus me, Miss Clarendon,” continued Eleanor, repeating the young lady’s name louder than before, so that it nright reach the Princess and make her Royal [ighness aware who was present. —~ — -_ e ECOMICOOOKS CO ho