Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 387: what you’re looking at

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

310 THE COURT OF LONDON so much absorbed my attention that I lost sight of the matter.”’ “Do you not remember that my sister and I informed you those ladies were a Mrs. Mordaunt and Mrs. Smith, and that we fancied they were travelling incognito? ’’ said Octavia. ‘‘ But you yourself declared that they did not deceive us in respect to their names; and yet my father shares the suspicion which Pauline and myself originally entertained on that head.”’ “Ah! then your father is acquainted with the fact of their visit? ’”’ observed the prince. “Oh, yes, how could we keep such a circumstance con- cealed from him?’’ observed Octavia. ‘“ Besides, when Mrs. Smith enjoined the strictest secrecy, she did not in- clude my father — ”’ “The strictest secrecy relative to what, Octavia?” de- manded the prince, his curiosity suddenly excited by the singularity of the observation which had Just fallen from the lips of his charming mistress. “Heavens! what have I been saying? ”’ cried the young lady, absolutely frightened at her want of caution; but her mind had been lulled, by the melting softness of her heart’s feelings, into such a dreamy bliss, that she had spoken inadvertently and without reflection. “Ts it possible that you can have a secret which you will keep from me? ’’ asked the prince, assuming a tone tenderly reproachful. “‘ Remember, dearest, you are already my wife in the sight of Heaven, and, as such, not a thought nor deed should be concealed from my knowledge. It is not thus that I would act toward you, Octavia.”’ ‘Oh, do not upbraid me, George — dearest George! ” she exclaimed, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him affectionately, while the tears streamed down her cheeks. ‘“‘ It is not a secret regarding myself, but it may possibly involve the honour of one of those ladies — ”’ ‘Such a secret would be safe in my keeping, sweet girl,” interrupted the prince, now experiencing a curiosity so intense, and entertaining a suspicion so terrible, that he was sorely troubled inwardly, although he concealed his emotion as much as possible. “IT will tell you all—everything,” said the yielding Octavia; “but first assure me of your forgiveness for CORMIEOOOKS (Efe)