The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER II MR. CLARENDON Ir would be impossible to describe the astonishment, amounting to a positive shock, which Pauline experienced as this strange announcement fell upon her ears. The colour forsook her cheeks, and she stood motionless and pale as a statue, her eyes fixed vacantly upon Fernanda. Then a crimson glow suddenly suffused her countenance, her bosom rose and fell rapidly, and her looks settled upon her father’s features, as if to read the truth therein and convince herself that she was not being made the victim of a heartless joke or cruel mockery. | To Fernanda this scene, brief though it were, was far from agreeable, especially as she immediately recognized the Duchess of Devonshire and Lord Florimel, with both of whom she was acquainted; but, with characteristic self- possession and firmness, she took Pauline’s hand, saying, ‘‘ Have you no congratulations to offer to your father, if not to me? But weshall be friends, very good friends, dear girl, when you come to know me well.” These words recalled the maiden to a sense of the necessity of demonstrating her obedience toward her parent’s wishes, as well as her respect for the choice which he had made and the step which he had taken. She accordingly endeavoured to make a suitable reply to Fernanda’s speech and give utter- ance to some words of welcome and congratulation; but the thought suddenly flashed to her mind that while her father was bringing home a young and beauteous bride, her sister was suffering under the most cruel affliction. A torrent of tears choked her utterance, and, staggering back a few paces, she would have fallen heavily, had not Lord Florimel caught her in his arms and supported her to the sofa. CORNUC OO QD)