The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 399: what you’re looking at

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

mr et mm et re pee 354 THE the cruel, the profligate, and the unprincipled! But since you know who I am, Mrs. Brace,’ exclaimed the orphan, with passionate vehemence,—* perhaps you are also aware that your friend Mr. Harley is none other than the Prince of Wales—the man whom circumstances point out as the moral mur- derer, although not the physical assassin, of my lamented parents!” “ TTush, my dear child—-in the name of God! Do not talk in this wild and dreadful manner,” said the milliner. ‘ His Royal Highness wishes to see you —to throw himself at your feet—implore your pardon for the past — and learn in what way he ean serve you for the future. Oh! you will find him contrite and full of sincere regrets;—and it will now be his joy and happiness, as well as his duty, to atone for all the sufferings which you have endured through any misconduct or indiscretion on his part.” “Ts this possible?” exclaimed Rose, who, despite of the bitter experience which she had recently had of human perfidy, was stiil too artless, ingenuous, and confiding to suppose that the world’s iniquity, hypocrisy, and deception could extend much farther. “It is so possible, my dear child,’ answered Mrs. Brace, “that his Royal Highness will be here in an hour to confirm all I have just told you. Compose yourself, therefore, to receive him—and you will yet find that much happiness is in store for you.” Having thus spoken, the milliner pressed the young maiden’s hand and hurried from the room: put as the key once more turned in the lock, a damp fell suddenly on the orphan’s spirits and a secret voice appeared to whisper to her that she was again betrayec! Yes--a flood of misgivings poured in unto her soul. for why should she still be retained captive ?— and why was the Prince about to visit her in that bed-chamber? But now a desperate energy nerved the friendless girl;—and, remembering with a species of heroic exultation the tremendous exploit that had saved her on the former occasion, she looked around for the meansof escape. Alas! none met her view—no plan suggested itself! Useless were it to dare a second descent from the window. Such a proceeding would only land her in the yard, where her re- capture must be inevitable. But—ah! what hope is this which strikes her ?— what scheme suddenly springs into existence in her mind ? Wild and romantic idea!—and yet is it not feasible ? Yes:—and she will attempt it without another instant’s delay. Seating herself at the table, she steadied her hand as well as she could to pen the following lines :— “ Whoever finds this, let him at once hasten to succour a persecuted girl who is held prisoner in the dwelling of Mrs. Brace, the dress-maker of Pall Mall. To a con- stable admission will not dare be refused; and let no excuse nor denial be received! ‘The blessing of heaven will wait upon those who may reseue from dishonour the orphan *“ Rose Fosrer.” Having written this hasty billet, she folded it up and concealed it for the present in her bosom. Her next proceedings were promptly undertaken and skilfully executed. With a piece of whalebone taken from a pair of stays, and by means of some ee ee ee MYSTERIES, twisted silk, she made a bow: then breaking off a thin rail from the back of a chair, she trimmed it with a knife until she reduced it to the degree of lightness fitting it to serve as an arrow. ‘To the end of the stick she fastened her note; and opening the window gently, she shot the arrow completely over the roof of the adjacent house, so that she felt certain it must fall into St. James’s Square, Then, closing the window, she cut off the silk from the whalebone and burnt the thin shavings of the wood, so that not a trace of her proceeding remained visible inside the chamber. Hope once more returned to the young maiden’s bosom—for she looked upon the thought which had led to the step just adopted, as tle inspiration of that heaven which had not deserted her. And, Oh! in some minds—especially in those of youth—how elastic, how indestructible is hope! Sometimes, to be sure, it is but the last stand which the anguished soul makes against despair ;—and not very far removed from this case was the position of Rose Foster now ! For had she not received sufficient proof of the unprincipled character of the heir-apparent and the extremes to which he was capabie of venturing in order to gratify his passions or administer to his selfishness ?2—had not his heartlessness murdered her parents ?—and was she not compelled to risk ler own life in an appalling manner, to escape from his libidinous persecution ? All these reflections swept through the mind of the agitated girl, and nearly overwhelmed the hopes that had sprung up in her bosom; and as the mo- ment approached at which his Royal Highness was to be there, a sense of colossal danger grew upon her with almost overwhelming effect. At length she hearda stately step drawing near her chamber: the key turned in the lock—the door opened — and the Prince of Wales entered the room. Closing the door behind him, he advanced with affable mien and extended hand towards the maiden, who stood motionless as a statue, and pale as the sculptured marble too,— but with her eyes fixed eagerly on his countenance as if to read her doom in his features! Then, whether it were that she beheld some sinister light in his eyes—or whether some secret presenti- ment confirmed all her fears and utterly annihilated all her hopes, we know not: but certain it is. that, suddenly starting into full and agonised life from that statue-like stillness, Rose Foster threw herself on her knees before the Prince—and, extending her clasped hands towards him, shrieked forth, “ Mercy! mercy !” “ Silly maiden, of what are you afraid 2?” exclaimed his Royal Highness, hastening to raise her—or ra- ther endeavouring to do so: but she resisted his at- tempt, withdrawing violently the hands which he had seized in his own. “ Miss Foster--for I know who you are,’ continued George,—“ I implore you to tranquillise yourself. Do not entertain so much mistrust concerning me!—do not look upon me with such cruel suspicion! Rise, 1 beseech you——” “ Does your Royal Highness swear that you come hither with friendly intentions only ?? demanded the terrified girl — still remaining upon her knees, but averting herself almost shudderingly from the Prince, c-eeoeooo CORNIELOO c} CSE (C(O)