The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 267: what you’re looking at

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at the end of the passage where she is to meet you —and the Countess will pass on into that apart- ment, thinking that you are showing her inte some retired place where you may converse together without fear of interruption or observation.” “ And what next ?” asked the milliner. “ Why—the instant the Ceuntess has crossed that threshold,” returned the Prince,—“ instead of follewing her, you will shut the door hastily—lock it on the outeide—and take your departure. Leave all the rest to me.” “The scheme sppears as clumey in its concep- tion as it will prove awkward in the carrying out,” said Mrs. Brace. “It may seem wild, far-fetched, and even pre- posterous to describe,” observed his Royal High- ness: “but, when managed with your tact and in- genuity, it will pase off just as I anticipate. At all events, you will do your best, Fanny ?” “ Most decidedly,” answered the milliner. The footman now entered the room to lay the table for supper; and in a few minutes Camilla Mortoa made her appearance. The Prince of Wales was introduced to her as Mr. Harley; and he was instantaneously struck by her sweet, pensive, and touching style of beauty. The lily whiteness and rose-leaf hue which were so delicately mingled in her complexion, were set off to the greatest ad- vantage by her mourning garb; and the derk vesture likewise enhanced the elegance and grace of that figure which, though slight, was rounded in accordance with the most perfect specimens of Grecian art. She was somewhat surprised when, instead of meeting Lord Florimel, she was thus introduced to «a Mr. Harley: but the milliner hastened to inform her that his lordship had been seized with a sudden indisposition, and that Mr. Harley, who was “a very old friend indeed,” had dropped in by accident ;— and as Camilla cared nothing for either the one or the other, it was perfectly indifferent to her whether she sate down to sapper with Lord Flori- mel or Mr. Harley. The evening passed away ; and, although Camilla fancied that Mr. Harley fixed his eyes upon her somewhat intently more than once, she was never- thelese compelled to admit to herself that he was a polished gentleman, very agreeable, and endowed with great conversational powers. When she rose at eleven o'clock to retire to her own chamber, the Prince proffered his hand and endeavoured to con- vey her's to his lips, while Mrs. Brace was con- veniently stooping to pick up her handkerchief: but Camilla instantly snatched back her hand, while her cheeks suddenly became crimeon ;—and, darting on his Royal Highness a look which con- thought him as a companion, the yo maiden hurried from the room. ™_e And when she had gained the solitade of her own chamber, Camilla burst into tears : for a sus- picion, faint as the murmuring of far-off waters in the ears, had now for the first time sprung up in the secret depths of her soal,—a suspicion with regard to the virtue ef Mrs. Brace and the respecta- vility of her establishment. Or eee a mmm cs i hap SS Sr Ta ESSA, ya a a OO fT OT rn, eget ee nso THE MYSTERIES. —_7 CHAPTER LEKI. ree alf-past nine o'clock on the memorabk onday evening so anxiously antivipated hearts; and the state saloons of the phew ciwelling were bethed aa it were ine Sood af resent uxury. effect, to ravish and enchant the senses. The guests invited to the ball were now begin- ning to arrive; and the Prince of Wales, baving already left the dinner-table, was conversing with those ladies who had been preseat at the select There was Mrs. Fitsherbert, in all the grandeur of those charms which were sow embellished the richest and most tasteful toilette. Her so pale in hue but so glossy and shining, to have caught the golden rays of a brilliant day sun and to have imprisoned them in those luxu- | TRE GRAND ENTERTAINMENT A le of the beholder. Next to Mrs. Fitsherbert sate the Duchess of Devonshire, radiant in loveliness, and with giow- ing smiles upon her coral lips. Nature's own roses, which art cannot equal, blushed softly upon her cheeks; and her silky auburn halr was with all the richest metallic hues. Love, and light were in her large deep was a glorious being—a splendid finely developed, superb, and Juno-like beasty which in a moment can melt into yielding sensuousness of wanton Venus. And in that same saloon where the Prines Wales was now conversing with Mrs. Fitsherbert there fally, too, waved ostrich-plames over charming heads; and fair hands agitated the raised a gentle zephyr in the midst of | ] left more than half-exposed to the ravished eyes languid, and perfumed rustling The company invited to the arrive; and every minute tocracy—some nobie, with s or some lady bearing a proud name — — to the helr-appe ent te the throne. ° mitt in ih) (1) S NOOO) ©)