The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 374: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES. and thither did Pauline repair, leaning upon Flo- rimel’s arm—for a faintness was in all her limbs, and her spirit was crushed with a presentiment of evil. ‘*] am giad that you are here, Gabriel,” were the first words which the Duchess uttered, as she caught sight of the young nobleman: then, tak- ing Pauline’s hand, she said, “My dear young friend, I shall not keep you in a state of unne- Cessary suspense-——” ‘‘ No—no; for heaven’s sake, speak!” mur- mured the maiden, shuddering from head to foot. “TI see that your has bad news for me-———” “ Alas! would that I could give you some re- assuring answer!” exclaimed the Duchess: “ but poor Octavia is far from well—the blow has been a cruel one !” “But she is alive?” ejaculated Pauline, in a tone of thrilling anguish, as the terrible idea flashed to her imagination that her beloved sister was no more and that the Duchess was about to break the tidings of her death as gently as possible. “Oh! entertain not such a dreadful apprehen- sion !” cried Georgiana, penetrating her thoughts. “ Yea— Octavia is alive, thank heaven—and well too in bodily health ” “ Oh, horror! I begin to comprehend the ap- palling truth !” shrieked forth the wretched Pau- line : “it is her reason that is affected—her senses have abandoned her! Great heavens, I understand {t all now—and your Grace does not contradict the fact! Alas—alas! my poor dear ruined sister, what bas thy destroyer done to thee A— what new iniquity has he perpetrated? Oh, ven- geance upon his head—no, not vengeance—'tis mercy that I implore of the Prince—mercy on behalf of the ruined Octavia I” And having given utterance to these exclama- tions in a wild tone, and with a countenance evincing the poignancy of the anguish which rent her soul, Pauline sank upon her knees—co- vered her face with her hands—and burst into an uncontrollable passion of sobs, and tears, and bitter lamentations. “ Let her weep, Gabriel—let her weep!” whis- pered the Duchess hastily to the young noble- man, as he rushed forward to raise his well-be- loved from that posture of despair. “ This out- pouring of her surcharged soul will relieve her.” And for some minutes Pauline continued to give way to her almost frantic sorrow. But suddenly raising her head, though without moving from her knees, she looked up into Geor- giana’s countenance, exclaiming, “ You have not told me whether my horrible suspicion be true! Perhaps I may be wrong—God grant that I am! Is my sister so deeply afflicted that she has lost her reason? Teli mo, dear lady—oh! tell me— let me know the worst—or else give me instan- taneous relief by the assurance that my fears have exaggerated the evil !” , And as she thus spoke, the beanteous creature twined her outstretched arms round the form of the splendid Duchess of Devonshire,—every lineament of the anguished countenance express- ing the intense anxiety with which the response was awaited. “My dear girl,” said her Grace, profoundly affected, ‘‘ your surmise is indeed too true! But, in the name of God! tranquillise yourself——” “No—I cannot become tranquil!” exclaimed Rn we gy oe Pauline, springing straight up like a galvanized body. “Something must now be done—sa decisive course must be taken—I can deceive my father no longer! He is not at home now—but he will return presently — and then—oh, then," she added wildly, “I shall throw myself upon my knees before him-—-I shall tell him all—and I shall implore his forgiveness on behalf of my poor ruined sister !” She paused—seated herself on the sofa—and appeared to reflect profoundly for upwards of a minute. At length Lord Florimel approached her: and, taking her hand, he pressed it to his lips, saying, ‘My beloved Pauline, I beseech—I im- plore you to compose yourself. All may not be eo bad as you imagine——.” “It is impossible that the aspect of my sister's position can be worse, Gabriel,” inter- rupted the young maiden, in a tone of profound feeling; und then followed another outburst of indescribable anguish. “ Listen to me, my sweet young friend,” said the Duchess of Devonshire, when the violence of this new paroxysm of Pauline’s affliction had somewhat subsided: and placing herself by the young lady’s side on the sofa, Georgiana took her hand with every demonstration of affection, ob- serving, “You are endowed, Pauline, with a strong mind and excellent sense—and I am cer- tain that you will look this misfortune courage- ously in the face. For that any harm which happens to your sister, becomes a misfortune to yourself, [ am well aware—so great is the affeo- tion existing between you both But what course does prudence now recommend? That the veil of secresy shall be drawn as completely as possible around this lamentable ocourrence— and that the world shall not be suffered to learn the real cause of Octavia’s affliction. She is now in a comfortable retirement—surrounded by all the gentle ministrations and affectionate atten- tions which friendship can suggest and which her position demands. An eminent medical practi- tioner devotes himself to her cure; and he last evening declared to me most solemnly that in a few weeks’ time her reason will be re-established, provided his regimen receive no hindrance nor interruption. It would, therefore, be imprudent, my dear Pauline, to think of visiting your sister at present. As for cherishing sentiments of vin- dictiveness against the Prince of Wales, your own good sense will show you how useless and inef- fectual such a project must prove,—while ita only result would be to proclaim to the world your be- loved sister's dishonour. Respecting your father, my dear Pauline,” continued the Duchess, her tone becoming more tender and soothing as she proceeded, ‘' I will myself undertake to communi- cate the intelligence to him ;—-and I will guarantee that he shall pardon his afflicted daughter—pardon you also for having in any respect withholden from him the truth.” “Her Grace s fairly and kindly, Pau- line,” said Lord Florimel; “and you will do well to leave the matter entirely in her hands.” “ Yes—I will follow your advice, dear Gabriel,” returned the young maiden; “ and to your lady- ship,”she added, addressing herself to Georgiana, “my eternal gratitude is due for all the generous interest you have taken and are still taking in this lamentable affair. But tell me about my dear a econmmiclbooks com