The Mysteries of the Court of London by Pauline Clarendon — page 372: what you’re looking at

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

ANOTHER MEETING 369 \ “You are aware that my father has returned, and you will now seek an early opportunity to form his acquaint- ance? ”’ said Octavia, thus delicately reminding the prince of all the pledges and vows which he had made her on previous occasions. ‘“ When he shall have become settled in his new abode, dearest,’ was the specious answer, “I shall obtain an introduction to him. He now stands every chance oi shortly becoming heir to the Marchmont peerage.”’ “ Unless some favourable change should take place in respect to the Honourable Mr. Arthur Eaton, who, as I informed you in my letter, is wasting away visibly. Some frightful and unknown malady has fallen upon him,” added Octavia, in a tone of deep commiseration. ‘“ And is no cause alleged for this strange indisposition? ”’ inquired the prince, who was toying with his lovely mistress while thus conversing. ‘“ My father was speaking of the matter again this morn- ing,’ answered Octavia, ‘“‘ and it appears that some time avo the Honourable Mr. Eaton was supposed to be deeply enamoured of the orphan niece of a rich nobleman; but he suddenly discontinued his visits to her, without any obvious reason. Her noble uncle brought her with him from Derby- shire to London, and since that time the mysterious sickness has stricken the young man. Nevertheless, my father declares that it is not a mental malady, but a physical one; he is not pining away through disappointed hope and blighted affection, but is gradually perishing, as if all the elements of existence were sapped and undermined.” ‘This is most extraordinary,” said the prince, on whose breast Octavia’s head lay reclined, while from time to time he imprinted burning kisses upon her brow, her cheeks, and her lips. ‘‘ But since we are thus discoursing for a moment — and observe, it shall not be for long,’”’ he added, tenderly, — ‘‘ upon various and comparatively indifferent matters, let me ask you something more than you have already yet told me relative to those two ladies whose travelling-chariot broke down in front of your house, the very first evening that I was so fortunate — so truly blessed as to become acquainted with you. On the last two occa- sions that we met here, I have been going to speak to you about them; but subjects of a nearer and dearer interest CONnniclooolKs (GO)