The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 226: what you’re looking at

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

eee ee = came emmy AD THE MYSTERIES SE ie So this proc’ of her royal paramour’s fickleness. “I am not jealous of the Prince: it were ridiculous tobe so. Iam well aware that his love-adventures are innumerable; and if I were to sigh each time J learn that I have a rival in his caprices—for we will not call them affections—I should be only making myself miserable from morning to night.” “True!” murmured Eleanor, in whose bosom new and exciting thoughts had been engendered by all that the Duchess of Devonshire had said to her on this occasion. “And therefore, my dear friend,” added the santon and voluptuous Georgiana, “if you should chink fit to lend a willing ear to the Prince’s seduc- dive words, I shall not experience the slightest an- aoyance. But I must now say farewell, Eleanor— and I shall expect to see you at Devonshire House m the course of to-morrow or next day: for I must assuredly become your tatress and guide into she realms of pleasure. Adieu, my dear friend.” 27 With these words, the Duchess embraccd Lady Desburough, and took her departure. Eleanor had escorted her Grace as far as the landing outside the apartment ;—and, as she was returning slowly and in a thoughtful mood to her seat upon the sofa, it suddenly flashed to her mind like a glare of lightning, that if any one had hap- pened to be in the inner drawing-room it were easy to have overheard somo portion, if not the whole of the preceding conversation, the two saloons being only separated from each other by folding. doors. A terrible sickness seized upon the heart of the Countess as this source of alarm sprang up in het mind; and opening one of the doors, she entere¢ the adjacent apartment. But a vertigo appeared to fasten upon her brain. when she caught sight of her husband—yes, the Earl of Desborough—seated at the table apparently bending, over a book, and with his back towards her. a: So ow eee OONRANKA ateylo) SS COMM