The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 274: what you’re looking at

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7 oe THE MYSTERIES. 259 CR EEE EE eee eee something of a nature which she would fain conceal | though from such widely different causes—tinged and which she trembled to have made known. their cheeks with a roseate hue, which set off in “Your ladyship sees that I cannot enter into par-| more dazzling contrast the fairer and softer tints. ticulars here, nor at present,” returned Mrs. Brace: | But Eleanor’s olive complexion looked rich and then, pausing as if to reflect upon what course it | glowing, though of transparent purity, with her own would be better to pursue, and in another moment | heightened colour and in that blaze of golden lustre: seeming to be inspired with an idea, she said, “ At| while nothing could be whiter or more polished in midnight precisely you can steal from the ball-/| the shape of living-flesh than the forehead, neck, and rooms—on any pretence—no one will perceive you: | bosom of Miss Clarendon. and if your ladyship will then repair to the extremity How superb was Eleanor in her beauty—how fas- of the long passage leading from the great landing, | cinating was Pauline in her loveliness!) The former I will be there. But come alone—for to your ear | seemed as if she were able to ravish a heart with one only must I breathe the communication which I | glance of her splendid black eyes—the other to steal have to make.” it away with her soft and witching looks. “JT will be there—at midnight—punctually,” mur-| And now, as they entered those rooms where all was mured Eleanor, her voice sounding hoarse and thick. | a blaze of attractions and an assemblage of charms, “ Give me a glass of water.” —yet were they not lost in the bright galaxy: but The milliner hastened to comply with this de-| they stood out from the radiant sphere as stars of an mand; and the limpid element went hissing down | equal glory with Mrs. Fitzherbert, the Duchess of the parched throat of the Countess of Desborough. | Devonshire, or the Princess Sophia, “Ts your ladyship better?” inquired Mrs. Brace, as she received back thie glass, “ Yes—I thank you,” responded Eleanor: and, by a desperate effort, she overcame her emotions. “ At all events you assure me,” she whispered rapidly to the milliner, “ that the evil—whatever it is—can be averted.” , “Tranguillise yourself completely on that head, my lady,” said Mrs. Brace. “] will—I must,” observed the Countess. “ At midnight—punctually.” And having darted a significant look upon the milliner, whose sincerity she no ionger thought of doubting, Eleanor turned to rejoin Pauline Claren- don. This young lady's hair had required some little adjustment, which had just engaged the three or four annutes occupied by the above rapidly whispered dialogue between the Countess and Mrs. Brace. It was now for the first time that the milliner ob- served that Eleanor’s companion was none other than Pauline Clarendon: for when the two ladies had entered the room, Mrs. Brace was so intent upon affording the Countess her officious aid that she had not even thought of darting a glance at the beauteous creature who was with her. But now Mrs. Brace recognised Pauline immediately—not only on account of her marvellous likeness to her sister Octavia, but also from the fact of having seen them together on that morning when Camilla Morton had delivered the note at the house of Lord Florimel. On thus recognising the younger Miss Clarendon, a painful conviction instantly sprang up in the mil- liner’s mind that something was wrong, and that the plot, as Florimel’s letter had warned her, was indeed thickening. Dut what could shedo? Nothing:— matters must take their chance ;—and, however great her anxiety and suspense now were, there was no alternative but to await the gradual development of circumstances as they should occur. In the meantime,—while the bewildered Mrs. Brace was thus giving way to her hurried and agi- tated reflections;—Eleanor and Pauline had issued from the toilette-chamber and rejoined the Earl: then, the former leaning on his right arm, and the latter on his left, they crossed the landing to the mag- nificent saloons from the open portals of which streamed the warm and perfumed atmosphere. Gloriously handsome appeared the Countess of Desborough -—bewitching!y “-heautiful was Pauline Clarehdon. The agitationwhich each experienced— | apparent was coiiversiug, as already described, with an a a CHAPTER LXXIV. THE BALL-ROOM, It was to the Princess Sophia that the Earl of Des- borough, the Countess, and Miss Pauline Clarendon, first paid their homage. Her Royal Highness received Eleanor with a sisterly cordiality, and gave a most kind and flatter- ing welcome to Pauline. Indeed, the ladies and nobles assembled in that apartment were astonished at the extreme air of friendliness and even fami- liarity with which the Princess proffered her hand to Miss Clarendon; and whisperingly they asked each other who she was. This query was soon answered by some young nobleman who had seen and admired her at Lord Marchmont’s ball; and a general anxiety prevailed to become acquainted with a young lady who ap- peared to enjoy the highest favour with her Royal Highness the Princess Sophia. Lord Florimel, who had already arrived, was now speedily by the side of Pauline: but she was not as yet able to take his arm, inasmuch as it was neces- Sary that she shou!ld remain with the Earl and Countess of Desborough until after the presentation to the Prince of Wales. Florimel saw that, beneath an exterior apparently calm, a considerable agitation and excitement prevailed in the bosom of the charm- ing creature whom he loved so devotedly; and he seized an opportunity to whisper a few reassuring © words in her ears, | “Be not uneasy on my account, dear Gabriel,” she hastily but tenderly responded; “there will be no scene—no betrayal of anything extraordinary ;— for | am already prepared to know the worst in re- Spect to my unfortunate sister.” Florimel threw upon her a look full of affection; and Pauline rapidly returned it, as she again took the proffered arm of the Earl of Desborough, who was now about to conduct herself and the ‘Countess into the presence of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. | Amidst the brilliant assemblage they passed ; —and in afew minutes they crossed the threshold of the un- folded portals leading into the room where the heir- (C(O) nn) (C 6)(0)©) <SEGO@