The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 309: what you’re looking at

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

a couple of hours agreeably enough in his estima- | tion. He then muffled himself in his cloak—quitted Carlton House by the private staircase leading from his own bed-chamber—and passed hastily into St. James's Square. The doorof that department of the milliner’s establishment was speedily opened; and in a few minutes he was seated with Mrt. Brase in the little parlour to which allusion has been so frequently made in former chapters of cus tive. ; To this lady the Prince speedily commentcated the satisfactory intelligence that her advice had been adopted in respect to the means of propitiating Mr. Clarendon when he should come to know his daughter’s shame; and the milliner was weil pleased by the intelligence thus conveyed. She then epoke of the isee of the adventure at the ball, the failure of the Princa’s attempt upon Lady Desborough Having been already made known by him in a nete which he had written te Mrs, Brace on the ensuing morning, His Royal Highness did not however at present seem in a humour to diseuss that subjects but, hastily shifting the diseouree, ye demanded whether she Bad any good news for respecting * Miss Camille Moston. “I will tell you very ogndidly,” anewered Mus. Brace, *that I am at a loss to cummprehend this young git. It was Sunday evening, you remember, that you supped with me, Camilla being peusent. All Monday I saw little of her, as I was much occupied during the day——end om the night I was at Casiton House, as you are aware. But yesterday I obesrved that there was some alteration in her meaner. She ether beheld me with rp veiaiameny of timi- ity, or with susp knew not which. I spoke kivily to her—eke anseured une in'c tame that coroeh ene as being oold and with an air that seemed reserved. Throughout yesterday she was thus peculiar in her manner; and te-eday it has been the same,” added the milliner: for it wae on the Wednestiny evening ee SaES ES RE NG Tans CREREENS to gether. “Think you, my dear Fanny,” i 1 Royal Highness, “that she suspeots whe I am f* “ Decidedly not,” responded Mra. Brace. “If she did, she would not heaitate to tell me so—for, with all her natural timidity, she is a girl of a frank, art- “It was thus that I also read her character, on Sundey night,” said the Princes. “ Well, if she do not suspest who I am, what the deva mingiving can dhe entertain t” “I know not P, che has overheard some een Ain’ on past of the senior girls,” rece, ina mvesing tone, “There is one Rachel Forrester will mother: and Wer lane 7% bare not been able to arrange any ohhing at all,” ineavepted Mrs. Brave, luconi- cally. © Tisy truth is, cry dear Primes,” dite observed, after a betel pamme und lowering her tone, “ Cusuiile is am orphan und Cotally friendlees—and conenyuently is not the eame ausessity w met fn w slow, uefa) manner if has parents to fly to is coné@rned. Now, do you un derstand me f” “I should be a perfect idiot if I did not,” an- ewered the heir-apparent. “You mean, my dear Fanny, that you leave Camilla Morton entirely to my management——”’ “Yes: to your tender meveies,” said the milliner, darting upon him a look full of signi : The Prince of Wales regarded his watch. It was close tipen eleven o'clock. The young ladies had all rétired to rest: but it was too early to think of put- ting his diabolical scheme into execution. He se- cordingly resdived to wait until near midnight; and Mrs. Brace covered the table with all the wines, epirits, and liqueurs that were likely to tempt the palate of hie Royal Highsess, That, by the aid of suraoca punch and seme delestable conversation with the handsome milliner, the Pree whiled away the time until “Now, my dear Fanny, I shall retire—i hope te paradise,” said the heir-apparent, emiling at his owas awfal blasphemy. “ But should any sceident dissp- unexpected event constzain me to | point mo-—-eny beat a retreat—I shall find my way to your chamber, “Indeed, my good friend,” exclaimed Mrs. Brace, blushing and looking confused, “ I must bag and im- plore you to leave me unmolested under any circum- stances——" « Well, well,” interrupted the Prince, smiling sig- nifeantly; “let us hope thaf my snceess with Ca- mille will be such as to render it ummcesenry for me to seek a bed elsewhere. But I understand you, my oanning friend—you have a little intrigue of your own in progress to-night—ehf Thera, now—you need not blush ner cast down your eyes: I am well aware that you ase not immaculete—and indeed I have no right to question you as 60 year proceedings. Se give me a taper and conduct mie to the door of Contilia’s room.” Mra, Brace said not a word : but, with the crimson hos still upen her cheeks, she roee—lighted a wax oandle-—and led the way noiselessly along the pas- sage into that division of her premises which looked apon St. James's Square; for the sleeping-rooms of the young ladies were all, for obvious reasons, in this latter compartment of the spacious establishment. Having ascended two flights of stairs, Mrs. Brace Fanny,” he added, caressing her plamp cheek with his hand. Gin «. o0h6-ts. «sD { ~ nNr-r Ren = = = £4 a. hee Deets 2S 2 oo | gave the Prince the candle—whispered the number | dscw | agaies behind him. earefully closed it This aate-cham He new steeped Gown end pooped through tie as whee young gitl whic keyhole. EO NOOKS ©) CO