The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 281: what you’re looking at

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

el eT ES —————eeeeEeEEaanaEeEee “66 THE MYSTERIES. circulate. The absence of both of us at the same time cannot fail to engender certain suspicions ;-—and I leave you to judge whether they will be more pre- judicial to you or tome. Now, beauteous Eleanor, do you begin to see the position in which you are placed ?” “ And despair nerves me with courage !”’ suddenly ejaculated the lovely woman, who did indeed appear lovelier still in her indignation. “ You may keepme a prisoner here, Prince of Wales,” she cried, darting looks of defiance at the heir-apparent: “ but I take God to witness that, be the consequences what they may, the first use I shall make of my liberty will be to hasten into the presence of a magistrate or a judge and demand whether there be no law to reach even your Royal Highness.” “You are talking nonsense—utter nonsense, Eleanor!” said George, his lips curling with con- tempt. “In the first place, Kings, Queens, Princes, and Princesses may do just what they please—for they are above the law and stronger than the law; and the law was only made to keep the millions in subjection tothem! Think you, then, that magis- trates or judges would dare to entertain a charge against a Prince? No—no: they would sconer hang ten thousand innocent working-men, than even ven- ture upon a reprimand to a guilty scion of Royalty.” “But if you detain me here—by force—agaimst my will,’ exclaimed Eleanor, “the scandal—the shame—the infamy that will result——” ** Can all be dispersed and set at rest in amoment,” interrupted his Royal Highness, with a promptitude showing that he had well considered the subject. “For how stands the matter? Mrs. Brace will step forward and declare that she managed the whole in- | trigue—that the Countess of Desborough of her own accord proceeded to a certain bed-chamber where she met the Prince of Wales—and that it is a mere maudlin sentiment of compunction, or else a feeling of jealousy, whieh makes her turn round upon her royal paramour to denounce him. There, Eleanor— the story is cut and dried—all in readiness ;—and you see that everything can be accounted for as naturally as possible.” “Yes—I indeed perceive that you are capable of any villany,’’ exclaimed the Countess, darting a look of deadly hatred upon the Prince of Wales. “I al- ready knew you to be profligate—extravagant—sel- fish—ungrateful—and heartless: but it was reserved for the incident of this night to teach me that you are a Villain.” “The sooner I close that abusive mouth with kisses the better!” cried the Prince, with a voice and look of vindictive triumph ;—and, extending his arms, he rushed towards the Countess. “ Hold!” ejaculated a full-toned female voice ;— and from behind the curtains of the bed stepped forth a lady whose flashing eyes, crimson countenance, and quivering lips proclaimed a rage not easy to be ap- peased. It was Mrs. Fitzherbert ! A ery of joy and triumph burst from the lips of the Countess of Desborough: but a terrible oath— an imprecation so fearful that we dare not attempt to record it—fell from the tongue of the Prince of Wales. “Madam, you have doubtless heard all that has passed between his Royal I mean, between this man,” exclaimed Eleanor, pointing disdainfully and loathingly at the Prince,—* and myself?” “Yes—every syllable,’ answered Mrs. Fitzherbert, darting furious glances on the heir-apparent, who folded his arms, leant against the mantel, and en- deavoured to assume an air of indifference. * You will therefore agree with me, madam,” con- tinued the Countess, “that I have been subjected to an outrage as vile asthe spirit which suggested it must be cowardly and despicable ?” “ We will not use hard words, if your ladyship pleases,” said Mrs. Fitzherbert, bending a severe look upon Eleanor; “ for, according to one portion of the dialogue which ere now took place between yourself and his Royal Highness, it would appear that he has received some considerable amount of encourage- ment on the part of your ladyship. Nay—it would even seem,” she added, with a caustic emphasis, “that on one particular occasion his Royal Highness should have become the partner of your ladyship’s bed, had not some unforeseen incident prevented so agreeable a result.” ‘‘ Viadam,” said the Countess of Desborough, re- » covering all her dignity, and fixing her magnificent eyes with grand effect upon Mrs, Fitzherbert,—“if you yourself be immaculate, then wherefore is it that you are not styled her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales ?—but if, on the other hand, you have no claim to that distinction, how dare you un- dertake the part of moralist with me? Tell me that you are the wife of his Royal Highness, and you will then bring a blush to my cheek, and [ shall fall upon my knees and implore your pardon for ever having wronged you in thought, though never in deed: but if you be only Mrs. Fitzherbert—the mistress of the heir-apparent ——” «Silence, madam!” cried the lady whom Eleanor thus boldly addressed in such words of sareasm : then, stamping her foot imperiously, Mrs. Fitzherbert drew herself up to her full height —and, in a tone and manner of the loftiest dignity, she exclaimed, “Ttis time that your ladyship should learn whom you have insulted and outraged—for I am indeed her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales ™ “Wy God! what have you said ?—what madness have you perpetrated?” exclaimed the heir-apparent, ‘suddenly becoming fearfully excited: and, seizing Mrs. Fitzherbert—for so we had better continue to call her, imasmuch as she was never known by any higher name to the world,—seizing her by the wrist, we say, the Prince muttered in a low, hoarse, and thick tone, “I am aware that my conduct has been bad this evening towards you: but your vengeance is terrible in the extreme! For by proclaiming yourself to be my wife, you have endangered my very heritage of the British crown!”’ | A deadly pallor came over the countenance of Mrs. Fitzherbert, as she was thus painfully reminded of the tremendous indiscretion of which she had been guilty: bat almost mstantly recovering her presence of mind, she took the Countess of Des- borough’s hands in both her own, saying, “ Let us pardon each other for the harsh words which we have exchanged—and let us henceforth be friends.” “Oh! cheerfully—cheerfully!” cried the generous- hearted Eleanor, in a tone of fervent sincerity. “ Your Royal Highness 2 “ Hush!” exclaimed the other: “ you must never fail to call me Mrs. Fitzherbert ! I will not ask you to swear to keep this secret—because I know that your ladyship is a woman of honour, and it would be an insult to exact a vow to that effect: but I will | eae een op iinet es LA erie eee! er im (C©) Cc 6)(0)(0) KS (EO)