The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 351: what you’re looking at

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836 with throbbing brows—aad with palpitating heart, did I throw myself into your arms, my beloved Amelia, and breathe in your ear that fatal truth which involves alike my happiness and my honour! But I do not repent having revealed that secret to you-———Oh! no, my dearest sister, I do not repent —for you can now afford me your pity, your sym- pathy, and your consolation !” “And I do compassionate you, Sophia— pro- foundly compassionate you,” said the Princess Amelia, flinging her robust white arms about her sister’s neck and embracing her affectionately, “In luving General Barton, you have bestowed your affections upon a man in every way worthy of “ No—not in every way, Amelia,” interrupted the elder sister, with an accent of bitterness marking the profound melancholy of her tone: “not in every way—for he is not a Prince!” “ Alas! is it not terrible that etiquette and cold formality should surround us as with a wall of ada- mant?” exclaimed the Princess Amelia: ‘is it not unnatural that our passions and feelings, though the same as those which animate the humblest peasant, are to be curbed by laws and statutes? Marriage to us can never be associated with the heart’s feelings: it must prove nothing more than a cold ceremony— a glacial convention resulting “ Marriage, my sweet sister, is with me impos- sible,” interrupted the Princess Sophia, subduing a sob by a great effort. “Think you that situated as I am—being a mother, and with my secret known al- ready to several persons—TI should ever dare accom- pany « suitor to the altar? No, dearest Amelia _—it is impossible; and if our parents should seek to dispose of my hand, I would rather throw myself at their feet and confess everything than allow thera to confirm ahy matrimonial negotiation on my be- hal£ But you, Ameli “No, dearest Sophia,” exclaimed the younger sister; “marriage likewise becomes impossible for me! I havealready told you that I love Sir Richard Stamford—and I feel that my happiness is bound up iu this passion which has obtained such speedy, prompt, and despotic empire over my soul. Only oue week has elapsed since we firat encountered each other under circumstances 80 strange—so remark- able;—and since then we have met every day,” added the Princess, concealing her blushing counte- nance in Sophia's bosom. “ His misfortunes had already engendered a profound sympathy in my heart, even before I ever bebeld him; and I was therefore prepared to love him tenderly and well.” “ And he knows not that you love him thus t” eaid the Princess Sophia, interrogatively. “ He may perhaps conjecture that such is the fact,” answered Amelia: “but no avowal of the state of my feelings has issued from my lips. Oh! no—it were indelicate in the extreme to give utterance to a word calculated to reveal all I experience for him! Oar acquaintance has been so short—and he is so profoundly absorbed in the contemplation of those misfortunes which have fallen upon his head——” “ And yet he must conceive it to be strange that you have thus met him daily since the morning when you first became personally known to each other f” “ Alas! I am well aware that my conduct is im- prudent in the extreme,” said the Princess Amelia, her superb bosom heaving with a profound sigh: THE MYSTERIES. “nay, more—he may even look upon it as un- maidenly—undignified—improper! But I must submit to any opinion which he may form, however derogatory —for I feel that I love him more than my own life. He is handsomer, if possible, than our eldest brother, whom he so much resembles; and his sorrows have invested his countenance with a shade of pensiveness which give an ineffable attraction to the perfect manly beauty of his features. His voice is soft and touching, without losing its proper mas- culine intonation ; his form is finely proportioned ;— and his manners are more than polished and agreeable —they are absolutely winning. How, then, can I be blaméd for loving one who is in every way 80 worthy of an attachment the most devoted—the most sincere—the most fervent that woman's heart is ca- pable of bestowing ?” “TI do not blame you, my sweet sister,” murmured the Princess Sophia: “heaven knows that I have neither the inclination nor the right to reproach you. On the contrary, I deeply sympathise with you. But beware, Amelia—beware, dear girl,” continued the elder lady, now blushing deeply in her turn,— “lest your love betray you into frailty, and your lot shou:d become as unhappy as mine !” “Sophia,” answered the young Princess, in a tone so melting and tremulous that.it was scarcely au- dible,—*“ I have reflected well upon all the probable consequences of this love which I have formed— and I am prepared -to make any sacrifice and incur any risk, rather than surrender an attachment in which my earthly happiness is so deeply involved. If my ouly chance of safety be in refusing to meet Sir Richard Stamford any more, assuredly I shall not adopt that course.” “ And yet you know not whether your love be re- ciprocated, my dearest sister 2” observed the Princess Sophia, gazing fondly on the blushing countenance of the charming and infatuated Amelia. ‘‘T have already told you,” she replied, “ that he is absorbed in the misfortunes which have overtaken him. But ow each occasion that we meet, he listens with a more evident pleasure to the words of solace which I pour into his ears: he calls me his good genius—his kind angel ;—-and he begins to acknow- ledge that there is yet hope for him in this world. Ah! my dearest Sophia, you must not suppose that this love of mine can fail to touch a reciprocal chord in Ais heart! He welcomes me as bis con- soler—he already looks upon me as his best and sincerest friend—and he assures me that his heart will ever cherish the most fervent gratitude. Oh! there is something sublimely interesting in those in- terviews which take place between us,” exclaimed the impassioned and enthusiastic Princess, her coun- tenance glowing with animation and her eyes swim- ming in a liquid radiance. “God grant that you may always speak of them in the same tone!” ejaculated the Princess Sophia. “ But there are moments, dearest Amelis,” she con- tinued, her voice and manner suddenly assuming an ominous solemnity,—“ when I doubt the possibility of permanent happiness for any member of our family.” “ Merciful heaven!” cried the younger sister, a strong shudder convulsing her frame: “this is an echo of the same misgiving which has so often dis- turbed my own mind.” “ And I fear that it is not altogether unfounded, Amelia,” returned the Princess Sophia. “Our ane —_ * COMGRDOO S COMM