The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 247: what you’re looking at

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

CLARA AT HOME 225 good time, and also adopt his own manner, to make you acquainted with his real name and explain wherefore he ever assumed a fictitious one.” ‘“ Yes, that is his secret,’’ said Louisa, ‘‘ and from his lips only must I receive the revelation. Besides, I experience no undue curiosity in that respect, for whatever may be his real position in life, it is he only whom I love, and if he never revealed himself to me as aught besides simple Jocelyn Loftus, that affection would sustain no diminution.” In this manner did the two young ladies remain conversing for some time, until the servant who had been despatched to the Fountain Hotel returned with Mary Owen. And now was this young lady enabled to clasp Louisa in her arms and call her by the endearing name of cousin. Then Clara was presented to Mary Owen, also as a cousin, and they embraced; but infinite was the surprise of the young girl to hear of the identity of Louisa’s sister with the brilliant Lady Sackville. Nor less was she amazed to learn that Sir Valentine Malvern was the half-brother of the two sisters. Yes, it was indeed a complete family party assembled at the cottage that evening; and although there were naturally many painful memories, yet the circle of united relatives was not without its experiences of present happiness and of hope for the future. ‘Clara took up her abode at the cottage in order that she might not even for a few hours be separated from her sister. Mrs. Owen, Mary, and Sir Valentine Malvern returned to the Fountain Hotel, and Lilian repaired to her humble lodging at the peasant’s hut. On the following day Clara passed many hours in writing. She addressed a brief letter to the prince regent, taking an eternal adieu of him, thanking him for the many kindnesses she had received at his hands, beseeching that he would adopt no measures in the hope of recalling her to Carlton House, and concluding with the intimation that her husband would explain to him her motives for so suddenly abandoning a court life and retiring into comparative seclusion. She next wrote a letter to Miss Bathurst, stating that the drama in which she had played so conspicuous a part was now at an end, never to be re- sumed, — at least by her; and she likewise terminated with the remark that Horace would give all requisite explana- tions. She then drew up a very long, earnest, and touching (C(O) nn) GDoOOo <Siil r nin