The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 93: what you’re looking at

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

incident: of the past night had left apen them, s eesmetic skilfully applied gave her the complexion ef so soft a rose that it was impessible to recognise this triumph of art over nature. It wae shortly after six o'clock that Mrs. Brace descendied'to her own parlour, where the fire was -al- ready lighted: But scareety had she entered tirat strange room, when the lady‘s-maid burst in with terror de- picted upon her countenance, and exclaiming, “ Oh! ere —a robbery has been committed during this ti” Mrs. Brace affected to be sadly alarmed at this announcement; and, following the abigail, she hur- ried te the dining-room, the door of which had been opened by sawing partially round the lock and then breaking the wood away with a crow-har—none: of the burglars’ skeleton-keys having previously suc» eeeded in enabling them to effect an entrance. The side-board had likewise been forced, and all the plate taken ont: but, om examining it, not a single | article. was missing. ‘This: circumstance naturally 1 induced the lady's aaéd to observe thet the burglars were most probably interrupted by seme falee alarm in the middle of their work—a belief whieh the mil- liner took care to encourage, protesting however that it was very strange how so much violence could have been used without in reality disturbing s single soul. From the dining-reem Mre. Brace and: Harriet proceeded 'te the shop, where nothing had been med- dled with. Thie was not, however, astonishing—as the robbers could net be supposed likely to trouble themselves with bonnets, dresses; and lace-eaps. The front door had been forced in tire manner already de» scribed: but as nothing appeared to have been stolen in the house; fall confirmation was thus given to the abigail’s opinion that the burglars were unexpectedly disturbed by some false alarm which however Had the efféct of inducing them to beat a precipitate re treat. While Mra. Brace and Harriet were conducting their investigations in the shop, the young ladies made their appearance in twos and threes at a time; and they were much alarmed at first on hearing that thieves had visited the house during the night :—but they were speedily tranquillised by the assurance that nothing had been stolen. Mrs. Brace intimated her desire that no unpleasant metice on the part of the public should be attracted towards the establish- ment by suffering the particulars af: the atsemapted gobbery to transpire; and thus the afiais.wee efhc- tually hushed up. | Scareely had the milliner setumned to her own: pare leur-—it being new nearly seven o'clock in the mom- map wheee déty it was to: attend the door in St. James’s Square, by which mems-of entrance, be ft reeellected; all: persons: of th» male'sex were in- treduced inte the-cstebdliciment: ‘The young nebleman had been home te-his splendid mansion in Piccadilly, and had: resumed his male attrre: but it were realty difflenlt to decide which vation that Mrs, Brace made the moment the: foot man had retired. “And now teil me of your success, my dear Fio- rimel,” she continued. with an arch smile which enabled her to display her very fine tecth: © your countenance is pale and pensively in ——" ” Tell me, my dear friend,” he abruptly exclaimed, “has Octavia taken her departure yet f” “Oh! no,” responded the milline. “She can eearvely have slept off the effects of the wine in which the narcotic was mixed, and a glass of which her gallant adiministered to her. For Harriet wae present at the time, and saw her-take it.” “Then she is safe!” ejzculated Florimel, with emphasis. “What do yon meant” demanded Mrs. Brace, gasiog upon the nobleman in unfeigned surprise. “My dear friend, do not seek explanations af pre- sent,” he returned, in a tone slightly petulant: “ you shall learn everything in the course of the day. F will come presently and have a long discourse with you. Nay—do not appear angry and pout,” he added, patting her plump cheek with his delicate white hand, and resuming his wonted kindness of manner towards her. “I cannot possibly be sngry with yeu, Florimel,” traordimary “ Nothing very partioular—only that I have not sueceeded with Panline, and that I am far from eerry et the failure of my enterpries.” “You speak.in enigmas,” exclaimed the nulliner. “TI will explain the whale by and bye, my dear friend. In the meantime I must fulfla solemn pro- mise which I have made to Pauline,” continued the nobleman: “and this is to induce Octavia to retarn home without delay—for her father has come back f° “* Her father come back!" repeated Mra. Brace, turnimg pale even through the artificial tint of hes on. “Then all will be discevered——” “ Noting will be discovered if you only consent todo as I require,” interrupted Florimel. At this moment Harriet entered the room, and something in the ear of Mrs. Brace. “'You wish to see Octavia?” said the latter, tern ing towards Florimel, as soon as she had received tha communication thus privately made to her by the abigail. “Yes—without delay,” answered the nobleman, Mrs. Brace made'a sign to [arriet, who instantly quitted the room. “Is anything the matter?” demanded Florimel) uneasily. “ Nothing of any consequence. Octavia’s gallant has taken his departure—and the young lady herself theugh comparatively pacified by all her lover has said.to her this morning, nevertheless shriake from the idea of returning home.” “T will undestake to tranquillise her corapletely,” said Florimel. “ Have the kindness to order s hack mey-ceach at once.” Mrs. Brace rang the bell, and gave the feotmam the requidite: insttnotions Immediately afterwards Oot tawia, dressed in Ker bounet and. shawl, was: intro duced by Harriet; but:on percetving that’ Mrs: Brace was novalone, she was atiout to retire, when the mil- emphatically. Ovtaviz, who war very palé and Hadevidently been weeping, surveyed the young peer with # counts nance expressive of mingled surprise and shama— eurprise at the emphatic way in which Mrs. Brae COMIC OOO co