The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

t THE COURT OF LONDON dreadful preying upon her mind. And I feel, Gabriel, as if I were playing a treacherous and false part toward my father,’’ continued Pauline, in a tone of deep feeling and earnest sincerity. ‘“‘ It seems to me that I am culpable of sreat duplicity and falsehood in concealing from him the real truth. Nevertheless, that truth I dare not avow; for if my father’s suspicions were once excited, he would pursue his inquiries and investigation until he had fathomed the whole affair in all its lamentable details. And there is an- other source of uneasiness which I experience,’”’ observed Pauline, after a few moments’ pause; “‘ which is, that the real extent of Octavia’s illness was not made known to me. From the moment that you delivered the prince’s letter into my hands last Wednesday afternoon, I have been tortured with misgivings to the effect that Octavia is worse than his Royal Highness represented. What did he tell you, Gabriel? Do you really believe that his note contained the entire truth and that nothing still more unfavourable was con- cealed? ”’ “The prince gave me precisely the same account which was contained in his letter, dear Pauline,’’ answered Lord Florimel. ‘ I repeated to you word for word all he said to me; but if you wish, I will tell it to you over again.”’ At this moment a loud double knock resounded through the house, and Pauline rushed to the window. A carriage, with a ducal coronet upon the panels, was standing at the door, and the Duchess of Devonshire immediately alighted. But she was alone, Octavia was not with her, and Pauline’s heart sank with a sickening sensation in her bosom. The duchess was conducted to the drawing-room, and thither did Pauline repair, leaning upon Florimel’s arm, for a, faintness was in all her limbs, and her spirit was crushed with a presentiment of evil. ‘““T am glad that you are here, Gabriel,’ were the first words which the duchess uttered, as she caught sight of the young nobleman. Then, taking Pauline’s hand, she said, “My dear young friend, I shall not keep you in a state of unnecessary suspense — ”’ “No, no; for Heaven’s sake, speak! ’’ murmured the maiden, shuddering from head to foot. “I see that your Grace has bad news for me — ”’ | ‘“‘ Alas! would that I could give you some reassuring OO) COM re) S (CO)