The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 384: what you’re looking at

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

350 THE COURT OF LONDON and bashfully she hovers around him, while he does not move an inch. Surely it is some statue that is perched up there, and not a being of warm flesh and blood; else never would he remain thus apathetic while so heavenly a creature is endeavouring to win his attention.”’ ‘Your Royal Highness will pardon me,” said Germain, ‘but he is evidently contemplating her through his mask with an absorbing interest. My opinion is that each one has got a particular appointment, and that neither is convinced that the other is the person expected.”’ ‘Yes, it must be something of that sort, Germain,” observed the prince; “‘ and the misunderstanding or uncer- 99 tainty becomes every instant more embarrassing. The Blue Domino remains stationary, the Flower Girl advances timidly, and now she passes him by, and they do not speak. But this is extraordinary, Germain, and I have a very great mind to accost the fair one and propose myself as her com- panion.”’ | “Your Royal Highness may spoil all by so precipitate a course,” said Germain. ‘‘ Let us see the result of this curious dumb-show and byplay, and be led by circum- stances.” “And if the unknown charmer should find her expected beau either in that Blue Domino or in some HOS masque?”’ sald the prince. “Then it will be difficult to bring matters to the issue desired by your Royal Highness,” returned Germain. “ But an idea has just struck me, may it please — ” “Well, what is this idea? ”’ demanded the prince. “That there is no appointment at all on the part of this lady,’’ answered the valet; ‘ but that she is a jealous wife or mistress, on the lookout for a faithless husband or a perfidious lover.” ‘“‘ Kgad! the idea is not a bad one, Germain,” exclaimed his Royal Highness. ‘‘ But what is she doing now? She advances as far as the musicians, she turns abruptly, she retraces her way, ah! and now they speak.” “And there is evidently nothing cordial between them, your Royal Highness,” observed Germain. ‘““Upon my word, I am not sure,” said the prince; “he takes her hand — ”’ ‘““ And now she repulses him,” added Germain. “ Ah! GOnMGooOo S CO) im