The Mysteries of the Court of London by Pauline Clarendon — page 398: what you’re looking at

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

ELEANOR AND THE PRINCE d9D divined the truth,” said the prince; “ but that person will never divulge the secret to another.” “ And yet he could not have informed your Royal Highness of everything,’ exclaimed the Countess of Desborough; “because, although he might have recognized the princess and me in the carriage, it was impossible for him to perceive the situation in which my beloved companion so unfortu- nately found herself.’’ “He remained in the neighbourhood and kept a strict watch all night long,” said the prince, determined to avert suspicion from Octavia relative to the authorship of the information he had received. ‘ He saw the surgeon sent for, he knew that a child was born during the night, and as he was well aware that your ladyship could have no motive in concealing the birth of an infant of your own, he naturally concluded that 1t was my unhappy sister who — ’’ “ Enough!’ exclaimed the countess, imperiously. ‘“ I again declare that I can discover no advantage in discussing this most painful subject. Your Royal Highness admits the secret to be safe in all quarters; let me therefore implore you not to disinter it from so desirable an oblivion. I love the Princess Sophia as if she were my own sister, I enjoy her confidence, and I have done my duty. Surely your Royal Highness has not come hither to upbraid me for the part which I enacted throughout that trying scene? ”’ “God forbid!”’ ejaculated the prince. ‘‘ On the con- trary, my deepest gratitude is due to your ladyship.”’ ‘“ In this case, your Royal Highness will grant me the boon I am about to solicit? ’’ observed Eleanor, hastily. “Speak!” said the heir apparent, his eyes now dwelling with admiration upon the countenance to which excitement had brought back all the glowing hues of health and beauty. ‘“ My prayer is that your Royal Highness will not reveal to the Princess Sophia your knowledge of her secret,’’ answered the countess. ‘ Oh, she would die through shame were she even to harbour a suspicion that her weakness, or rather, her unfortunate love and its consequences, should be known to the brother of whom she stands so much in awe.” “I promise your ladyship not only this, but anything else that you may choose to ask of me and which I may have the power to perform,’ replhed the voluptuary, assuming a significant tenderness of tone and manner which Eleanor COMnnicloool Ks (GO)