The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 346: what you’re looking at

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

316 THE COURT OF LONDON night, I rose very early and have already paid my promised visit to the gaol. Caroline Walters still lives, and indeed retains her full consciousness; but there is no hope of her ultimate recovery. As I was coming away the rumour was spreading through the prison that Mrs. Brace had just been discovered hanging in her cell, and on making the inquiry, I found that such was indeed the case.”’ ‘‘ And thus terminates the career of the fashionable milliner of Pall Mall,” said Lord Montgomery, rather in a musing than a mocking tone. ‘‘ The mistress of a prince, a courtesan in whose arms have reposed some of England’s proudest peers, a procuress and a go-between —”’ ‘‘ Wherefore enumerate her failings now that she is no more, Eugene? ” interrupted Florimel, in a reproachful tone. ‘“‘ Let us remember that if it were not for such voluptuaries as you and I have been, there would be no scope for the avocations of a Mrs. Brace. But let that pass. My object in paying you this early visit.is dictated by those feelings of sincere friendship which have mutually animated us from our boyhood. In a word, I have resolved upon communica- ting to you a secret which poor Caroline Walters revealed to me last night — ‘““ A secret which regards me?” exclaimed Montgomery, wondering what it could possibly mean. ‘‘T am not sure, perhaps it may,” said Florimel; “ at all events I shall be pursuing the safer course by breathing this revelation in your ear. Eugene,’ continued the young nobleman, after a few moments’ pause, “‘ I am acquainted with all the particulars. concerning that masquerade at Covent Garden — ”’ ‘‘ Ah! then the secret regards the Unknown? ” ejaculated Montgomery, his whole frame trembling with the poignancy of a suspense suddenly excited to the most painful degree. “ But you will forgive me for having undertaken to play your part upon that occasion? ” “You were impudent — most impudent, Eugene,” re- turned Florimel; ‘‘ and you know not all the mischief that has resulted from your freak. But the friendship of years is not to be destroyed by such a thoughtless, foolish act on your part, and therefore we will not talk of forgiveness in the matter. The important point is whether you know who the siren lady is —”’ GOMicbooks (E(6)