The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 265: what you’re looking at

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248 that you have been referred to him. Will you do this?” “Iam rejoiced that I have received your per- mission to take this step,” answered nobleman, pressing her hand tenderly. “Mr. Clarendon will not then think it strange that you should have consented to take a drive—round the park shall we say ?—in my carriage.” * When he sees that your intentions are honour- able, my Gabriel,” responded Pauline, “he will not allude to the circumstance. With regard to the affair of to-morrow evening, my father fortunately dines out—and I shall not be at a loss to invent some excuse to satisfy Octavia. Indeed, I will tell her that I am to accompany you to the Opera—and you must call for me in your carriage at twenty minutes to nine. You can then put me down at Desborough House in Berkeley Square.” “ All this shall be attended to, my beloved,” said Florimel. “ And now, Gabriel,” resumed the young maiden, gazing tenderly upon him,—* you must not imagine that because I am so ready in devising the means to lull my sister’s suspicions asleep to-morrow even- ing, and mislead her as to the real place and ob- ject of my visit,—you most not imagine, I say, that duplicity is no stranger to me——” “1 would not wrong you thus grossly !° exclaimed Florimel, in an impassioned tone. “I know you to be innocence itself—I am aware of the motives which prompt you to visit Carlton House to- morrow evening—and your sisterly feelings render you all the more estimable in my eyes. Your con- duct, my Pauline, on the first occasion of our acquaintance, has taught me to admire—love—and respect you,” he added, again pressing the hand which he retained in his own. “And your conduct of this day, Gabriel, has endeared you to me more than I can explain,” murmured the beauteous creature, fixing upon him a look fall of unutterable feelings. “It is sweet ta be praised by your lips !* exclaimed Florimel, returning that look with one of adoration. “But I must congratulate you, Pauline, on the readiness with which your appearanoe and manners engage the esteem and friendship of those with whom you come in contact. The Duchess of Devon- shire took an immediate fancy to you: the Countess of Desborough greeted you as kindly as if you were her sister ;—and the Princess Sophia pleaded most eloquently in your behalf respecting the pre- sentation at the heir-apparent’s ball to-morrow night.” Pauline had no time to respond to ‘these obser- vations: for at the moment her lover had done speaking, the carriage stopped in Cavendish Square. CHAPTER LXXI. THE FAIR PATRIOCIAN AND THE RESUSCITATED. It was about four o’clock on that Sunday afternoon when the Countess of Desborough returned to her resideneo in Berkeley Square. The incidents of the morning had annoyed her; and-there was a certain pouting expression upon her coral lips, which, instead of impairing the effect aS SSS nS is pe se Pe gunneteeeteninetnensge anes the young | missing THE MYSTERIES, of her loveliness, gave an indescribable charm to her classically chiselled features. Retiring at once to her own chamber, and dis- her female attendants the instant they had assiated her to lay aside her bonnet and searf, she threw herself into an arm-ochair and gave way to her reflections. “To-morrow evening I shall be doomed to meet that despicable voluptuary face to face f"—thus ran the current of her thoughts. “Oh! how my blood boils at the idea of having permitted him to bestow his lustfal kisses on my cheeks—my lips! How maddened with rage do I feel at the recollection of that weakness which induced me to assent to admit him to my chamber! But thank God! I escaped his polluted embrace ;—and the amour which his infamous pander and assistant, the milliner of Pall Mall, was sent hither to forward and promote, was interrupted at the very moment when he stood upon the threshold of sucoess, and Jon that of shame and degradation. And now—to think that I must appear to-morrow evening in the presence of this man—treat him with the respect due to his princely rank—and receive any courtesy which he may choose to demonstrate towards me! But even this I could endure—and I should not be so deeply vexed and troubled now on that account alone. Alas! I foresee that my beloved friend, the Princess Sophia, stands upon an abyss. Her honour is in the keeping of two young ladies——-And yet neither Octavia nor Pauline would betray her! No—no: they are good and amiable girlsa—they will keep her secret. Her secret, indeed! Does not her royal brother know it ?—and is he not aware that the child was born at the very house occupied at the time by these young ladies? And one of them is to be presented to him to-morrow night! Poor Sophia! were she aware that her secret was thus known to her eldest brother—the brother of whom she stands most in awe—she would die with grief. Alas! alas! how is all this toend? My soul is filled with gloomy presentiments. Where- fore should Pauline Clarendon be thus anxious to appear at Carlton House ? Is it through that curiosity which influences giddy girls ?—is it to gratify a mere sentiment of vanity ?—or has she a still less worthy motive in view? No—no: she is a good girl, I repeat; and it is natural enough that she should desire to mingle in that bright sphere of fashion to the confines of which she has only been so very lately raised.” Such were the conflicting thoughts and anxieties which swept through the imagination of the Coun- tess of Desborough in the solitude of her own chamber. But her reflections gradually flowed into another channel ;—and a voluptuous langour came gradually upon her,—like the softly stealing infla- ence of a dreamy repose in an atmosphere oppres- Then, rising from her seat, she contemplated herself in the full-length mirror which stood near ; and as she surveyed her own magnificent form, which was so faithfully reflected on that polished surface, a smile of mingled triumph and joy ap- peared apon her lipa—and then, in another moment, her bosom heaved to the profound sigh that came as it were from the very depths of her soul. But the influence of her warm and impassioned nature was now upon her;—and, yielding to the OONRANKA ateilo) S COMM