The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 65: what you’re looking at

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

/ so fiw MYSTERIES. SS Se fe SSP SU * Then you forgive me for any indiscretion that I | fortress may be surprised and the victorywon with may have committed by so silly an allusion to your late husband?” said Florimel, not altogether believ- ing the story of the sudden indisposition, “ How- ever, we will change the conversation,” he added, ob- serving that Mrs. Brace darted upon him a look so strange and sinister that it made him feel uneasy. “ Let us go back to the object of my visit. I was telling you, my dear friend, that for the last ten days or a fortnight I have not encountered a new face deserving a sigh or worthy of a tender emotion ; and it struck me that you might have it in your wer——" “I think that I can put you in the way of an ad- venture alike original and agreeable,” observed Mra. Brace, whe had by this time recovered her wonted | implores an asylum for the night——” equanimity and affability. ease,” observed Mrs. Brace. “ Moreover, the edven- ture which I propose has in it something so roman- tic—so truly original—so piquant, to use a French expression—that I am certain beforehand of the de- light with which you will enter into it.” “My curiosity is even painfully excited,” cried the young voluptuary. “Do you not think that you would look well in female attire ?” demanded Mrs. Brace, surveying him with an arch smile. “Oh! now I comprehend you, my dear triend #* exclaimed Florimel. “It will be delicious! A young lady—eeparated from her mother in a crowd—lost her way—late in the evening—dreadfully alarmed— “ Excellent!” cried Mra. Brace. “Your lordship “Indeed !” exolalmed Lord Flormmel. “Speak— | enters fully into the spirit of my meaning. And now [ am dying to Kear your explanations.” that I have thus far gratified your eufiosity, my dear “Have a Hittle patience,” said the milliner, new | Florimel, you will perbape gtant me your pathence again smiling ¢weetly; “ and yuu shall know every- thing iu good time. <A certain gay gentleman of my acquaintanée has discovered in a secluded wilderness cwo of the fairest flowere that ever graced the eacth with their presenes.”’ “ Sisters, doubtiosst” @b:erved Florimel, iasarre: gatively. “ Yes—and of a beauty eclipsing all the brillant charms that deszle the eye in the circle of fashion.” cont... Mim Brace “One of these delightful creatures { have alrendy seen—indeed, to speak can- didly, she ts at thie very meotnent beneath my rou f--*” While | make a few vety neceseary observations in eennexion with these charming sisters. I have already teld you that a certain gay gentlernmn, to whose kit! petronage I am as much indebted as to your own, has won the affeotions of Octavia, the elder: but és éegent reasons will prevent him from visiting her at hey own abode when the father returns home, he is y devirous that she should con- sent to meet Bin Here as frequently as it may suit hia fancy to receive her. It would however be a difficult task for Octavia to remain long and oftes abeent from horie, #thout having the company at her sister ;—and I have therefore concluded that is “You are determined to wheedie me out of a | order tonecure the connivance of Pauline i Octavia’s hundred guineas to-night!" exelaimed the young nobleman, hie cheeks flushing ead hw eyes beaming with lleemlous fires. ” Meay—the alder sister is already Geposed of.” re- turned Mra Brace. “ While we are now conversing together she ie receiving her first lessen in the echool of Venue: but the yeutger sister sitall be yours.” “ Add ie the one whom you thus 1196, as charcting as the otter?” asked the youthful volup- tuary, L hewenot seen her yet,” responded Mra. Brace: “but I sm assared that she is eyteal to her neter— and if Mis be the case, if strikes methat your lord- a will have at length found an object on whom our affections will probably settle for a considerable period.” “You enchant me!" egaculated Florimel, “When and where can I ese this angel ?” “ Permit me to give you a brief but necessary ex- planation," said the milliner. “These sisters are the children of & pvor but respectable and highly con- nected gont.e1.-a, whois at present away from home. Octavia, the elder, has already fallen into good hands; Pauline, the younger, may belong to you. Oc- tavia of course believes that her jover intends to marry her: whereas I need scarcely inform yon that nothing is farther from his intention. Last night he declared his aflection—to-night she has met him in this house: you may therefore imagine shat her heart is very susceptible of the tender passion. It is fair to presume that Pauline may be won with equa! ease j~—and no one is better calculated to achieve such & conquest than yourself.” “ I shall undertake it wich al! the ardour of a most umpessioned weoer,” exclaimed Lord Florimel. “ Nay—I have thought of a scheme by which the love intriguen, it ie absolutely necessary that Padline herself should bu led inte a similar adventure. The two sisters will thes make eenfidatte of cach ether—— and, by acting in will set the watehful- ness of the father at “Most admirably sansoned{* exclaimed Lord Florimel. “ Each sieter being provided with a lover, they cannot re each otter, bat will mutually aseiat in the ietrignest I must therefore presume that Ovtavida gallant hue already recom- mended yeu to provide a tover for Pauline; and that you have honoured me with the preference.” “ Octavia’s admirer consulted me upon the subject just now, before his fair one arrived,” answered Mra. Brace: “and he left it to my discretion to manage matters in such a way that his intrigue with the young lady should be enveloped in as much my and shrouded in as much security as possible” | “Then I presume that he is a man of rank, married to a jealous wife?” said Florimels “ He is a man of rank, and shortly to be married/* responded Mra. Brace. “But you know that I never mention to the gentlemen of my acquaintance any- . thing that regards each other. ‘ Honour and secrecy’ | —that is my motto, Florimel.® “Iam well aware how discreet you are on those | points, my dear friend,” observed the yourfg noble man ; “and yca will give me credit for a total aberhee of curiosity relative to the affairs of other peopla, Little does it matter to me who or what Octavidle | lover is, so long 2s I possess the eharming Pauline , But you have not yet told me when I am to com. , tnence the pleasing adventure which so much gaits . my fancy.” | “In all probability to-morrow evening,” answeree Mra. Brace. “I will however send you a line in the | CORNICE OOO (G ‘SS COM