The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 264: what you’re looking at

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

, eee = ear——Oh! how audibly her heart beats—how tamultucusly her bosom heaves |— the door opens—and Ramecy appears ! Bcercely can he revgrain his impatience soff- ciently to apare a moment to lock the door: an- other instant—and he is clasped in the arms of the Countess. “ Dearest, dearest, Eleanor!” he exclaims, as he enfolds her in his embrace ‘*‘ Dearest, dearest Gastavus!” she murmurs, straining him to her bosom. And if hell's flames were immediately to follow ihe consummation of her frailty, she would not resign these few moments of elysium to save her- self from that eternity of pain. Forgotten is her husbani—forg. tten is every eense of duty—forgotten is all the world beyond the four walle of that chamber of love! Oh, if she knew everything concerning her lover !—but she did not ! “ Dearest, dearest Eleanor !” what rapture was there in the words for her ears! ° “Dearest, dearest Gustavus !"—with what in- effable delight did she murmar the avowal of love to him who was now dearest to her of all the world And sow Ramsey learnt the nature of that secret which Eleanor had promised to reveal to him, and the knowledge of which instantly ac- counted for all that had hitherto appeared so ex- traordinary and mysterious between herself and her husband. CHAPTER LXNXII., FRESH SCHEMES AND PLOTS, Luavine the Countess of Desborough and the re- suacitated to enjoy the delights of love in each other’s arms, we must go back three or four hours and our readers to accompany us, at about half- past eight o’clock on that Sanday evening, to the dwelling of Mrs. Brace in Pall Mall. It will be remembered that this delectable lady had invited Lord Fiurimé: to sup with her on the seht. Since the previous Monday evening, when the invitation was given, Mrs. Brace had not heard fcom the young nobleman ; and she therefore con- claded that he meant to honour her with his c m- pany. Due arrangements were accordincly made fr the select banquet ;—and Camilla, experiencing not the remotest suspicion of Mrs. Brace's treach- erous intentions, had suffered herself to be per- suaded to keep her mistress company in entertain- 853 ing the noble guest. I: is true the young girl would in reality have preferred the privacy of her own chamber: but this feeling on her part was solely on account of the recent loss of her parents, and not thr.ugh any misgiviag with re- spect to the integrity of the milliner: on the con- trary, in the artlessness and innocence of her soul, she had fancied that it was from motives of deli- cacy that Mrs. Brace had invited her, as she might have chosen any other of her young ladies to be present on apn occasion when she was to receive 4 male guest. The preparations for the little banquet, then, were in progress: the cook wa. busy in the kitchen —— Mra. Brace, elegantly dressed, was already seated in her parluar—and Camilla was arranging ker toilette in her own chamber,—when, at half- past eight, a letter was delivered at the house, by one of Lord Florimel’s footmen. Mrs. Brace opened it hurriedly, and read the follo ring words: — “Z regret. my dear friend, to occa ion you any dis- apn intment: bat it ie totally tmpesible fer me to par- take of your hospitality tais Nort do I think :¢ evening. likely that I shall ever be enab'ed to visit you again. For I have this day succeeded in making my peaee with the charming and well beloved Paal:ne: say, more--I bave dem :.nded her in marriage of her father, wo as once a:cepted my proposal. *- Now, look you, my dear filend—understand—and be reasonable. It eults me to throw off my bad habits and eorrespomdence must be through the post. th nk that I am angry with you: itis no such thing. I ungra e‘ally towards you ; because I have received many kindmesses at your hands. But I am going to be stealy —aend that desiaration explains everything. “~ Rest a-sured, my dear friend, that you have ne well- wister more sinesre than myasf 4s a pracit of my good feeling I will give you a hint whic) may not be azn. serviceable: but I r.ty on your honour to kesp the miat- ter entirely to yourserl 18 is thie:—The plot in which peor O.tavia Clarendun te the heroine, thickens rapidly Vy deloved Pautine is not idle on behalf of her sister ; and of course I cannot stay her procecdings ecen if I felt in- cised In less than fe ty elght hours she will Aave cleared up ali dowbts riepecting the identity of Otacia’s lover | “ aga.n I implore you to retain these hints « profound secret, at least 00 fay a1 my neme fe concsined. But be assured that there is a st:..rm trewing—and you will do well to adupt some ma ure to screen yourself “ FLORIMEL.” The letter fell from Mre. Brace’s hand—and at the same instant the Prince of Wales was ushered into the room by Harriet. The lady's-maid retired immediately, closing the door behind her; and his Ruyal Highness advanced towards Mrs. Brace, who bad risen from her seat on bis entrance. But the moment he obtained e nearer view of her countenance, he was struck by the expreesion of trouble and annoyance which it wore; and, seizing both ber hands, he extlaimed a eeEEEREERemnennanmammnnies ) capnenennne tetra aaaaaaasaaaaaaaaaaaacadacasacascaaaaaaamasaaacsad aa ECOMICOOOlKS.CO