The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 327: what you’re looking at

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

ee i el 312 THE NN ee een MYSTERIES. interrupted Mrs. Fitzherbert, with a smile that dis- played the brilliant teeth between the parting coral of the lips. “His Royal Highness keeps few secrets from me, madam,” said Meagles, catching a glimpse of the handsome countenance as it appeared handsomer than ever when the light of so sweet a smile played upon it: then, again averting his eyes, he added, “Yes, madam—I am aware that the marriage cere- mony was celebrated between yourself and his Royal Highness——” ‘And I presume and hope that the Prince speaks of it with respect?” exclaimed the lady, suddenly alarmed by the peculiarity which was apparent in the tone and manner of Tim Meagles as he made the observation which she thus interrupted. “Oh! his Royal Highness entertains the utmest respect towards you, madam,” responded Meagles, not daring to look at her as he thus spoke; “and whatever may happen, he will ever adopt measures to ensure your happiness and prosperity.” “Whatever may happen!” repeated Mrs. Fitzher- bert, with increasing alarm-~a terror that she vainly endeavoured to conceal; for it was apparent in the half-excited, half-tremulous tone in which she gave utterance to those words. “And I am sure, madam,” continued Meagles, “that no one can regret more deeply —more pro- foundly—more bitterly than his Royal Highness, the necessity which compels him to yield obedience to his august father’s will——” “] begin to understand you, sir,” murmured the lady, in a faint voice: then subduing her emotions with a great though painful effort, she said, “ Tell me candidly, Mr. Meagles—has the Prince sent you to me on this occasion 2” And she laid her hand gently on his arm as she spoke—as if appealing in a friendly spirit to his honour and his generosity to treat her with frankness aud candour. “It is by the desire of his Royal Highness that I have sought this interview,” replied Meagles, wno was compelled to look Mrs. Fitzherbert in the face as he thus answered her query: and the anxiety which he saw depicted there, in spite of her strenuous endeavours to veil her feelings, did him harm. “You are a messenger from his Royal Highness, —and the bearer of evil tidings, Mr. Meagles,” said the lady, atter a few moments’ pause. “ But tell me allthat the Prince has commanded you to communi- cate—keep me not in suspense, Mr. Meagles, I im- plore you.” “Madam,” resumed the individual thus energeti- cally appealed to, “ I beseech you to prepare your- self to hear intelligence which will no doubt distress you. But the Prince relies upon that attachment which you experience for him—that love which you bear him——” “Then assuredly the tidings which you are about to lmpart, are more serious than I could have pos- sibly anticipated,” exclaimed Mrs. Fitzherbert, her courage and presence of mind rapidly oozing away ; “forit is evident that the Prince has well instructed you how to gild your prefatory words and administer a little honey to mitigate the after bitterness of a vast amount of gall. Oh! Mr. Meagles, if you have any compassion for me, you will at once and without farther delay tell me what iiis Royal Highness pro- poses—wishes—or commands.” “lhe Prince is forced, madam,” replied Meagles, ee et - “to give his assent to this alliance which has been planned for him——” “With Caroline of Brunswick!” ejaculated the lady, a visible trembling passing over her magnifi- cent form: and, while the blood rushed to her coun- tenance, dyeing her cheeks with a crimson hue that made them appear in strong contrast with the pale colour of her shining hair, sne bit her lip convul- sively in order to restrain an outburst of those feelings which suddenly began to boil within her. “Yes—with Caroline of Brunswick, madam,” re- peated Meagles. “ No one is better acquainted than yourself with the peculiar position in which the Prince of Wales is placed. His debts are enormous —and the only way of inducing the House of Com- mons, servile and grovelling as it is towards the Royal Family, to vote the funds to liquidate those liabilities, is by offering the marriage of his Royal Highness as a guarantee for his future steadiness.” “ His Royal Highness ts married, sir!” exclaimed Mrs. Fitzherbert, rising from her seat and drawing herself up so proudly and with an air of such queenly hauteur that Meagles was for a few minutes com- pletely overawed. “ Yes,” continued the lady, ina tone well suited to the feminine dignity of her man- ner and the loftiness of her bearing,—“ the Prince of Wales is married—and I am his wife! I know it may be objected that there is in existence a certain law entitled the Royal Marriage Act, which was passed twenty-three years ago, and in contravention of which I have become the wife of his Royal High- ness. I am aware, therefore, that the detestable technicalities of law courts may pronounce our alliance illegal—and a vile statute may be made to triumph even over the ordinances of God. But such a monstrous proceeding shall not be allowed to take its course without resistance—aye, a bitter resistance on my part. For marriage is a tie which cannot be trifled with—unless indeed Parliaments shall at once proclaim themselves an authority superior to God and God’s ordinances, and declare that they are jus- tified in repealing all the beneficent provisions of the Christian Church in order to suit the whims and pander to the caprices of Royalty. No, Mr. Meagles —the Prince saall not divorceme thus! I love him enough to die for him—but not sufficiently to permit myself to be made the sport of his pleasure and the victim of his convenience: for death were preferable to such an insult!” And having thus spoken, Mrs. Fitzherbert sank down exhausted upon her seat. “Madam,” said Meagles, in a deep and solemn tone,—“ I have listened to you with the utmost at- tention—and I perfectly agree with you in all the opinions which you have enunciated. For I admit the infamy, the scaudal, and the atrocity of the Royal Marriage Act, which suspends in respect to a single family those laws which apply to the mil- lions forming the rest of the community. But allow me to remind you that the English Monarchy is in reality as despotic and as absolute as that of Russia —with only this exception, that whereas the Russian Sovereign promulgates his will all at once in the shape of an ukase, the English Sovereign establishes his tyranny through the medium of a servile Par- liament. Nevertheless, madam, it is as easy for the King of England as for the Emperor of Russia to perpetrate a foul wrong—the way in which it is done is alone diflerent.” “And what would you have me infer from all eee eoetweeus <2 <= — ——— COnmniclbooolkkS. (C (C(O)