The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 202: what you’re looking at

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

THE RECONCILIATION 175 ‘One word more. The writer positively and earnestly enjoins you not to address a syllable of reproach to Lord Florimel within the walls of the theatre. You are even forbidden to accost him in a manner that may enable him to guess who you are. On the contrary, you must restrain your - feelings and take time to deliberate upon the proper course to be subsequently pursued.”’ “That last paragraph, Pauline,” exclaimed Lord Florimel, indignantly, when he had terminated the perusal of the letter, ‘‘ must serve to convince you that I was not the wearer of the blue domino at the masquerade. Read it, examine it thoroughly; see how carefully it is worded, and how energetic is the caution that it conveys. Why were you not to address the wearer of the blue domino in a manner that would provoke reply? Because any conversation that might have occurred between you would have led to the discovery that a scandalous trick had been practised upon you and that I was not the masque whom you accosted.” ‘““Yes, the truth is apparent now, Gabriel,’ said Pauline, fixing her eyes tenderly upon her lover; “ and again do I implore your pardon for the readiness with which I yielded to the suspicions so wickedly excited and so artfully main- tained. And now that I bethink me, there was a female masque, disguised as a Gipsy, who accosted me on that memorable evening and avowed the authorship of the anony- mous letter. I questioned her concerning the motive which had induced her to warn me against holding any discourse with the Blue Domino, and I remember that her tone was ferocious, vindictive, and malignant in the extreme, as she replied that those were her secrets. Moreover, it was she herself who deliberately suggested the very terms in which I ought to convey to you the intimation that everything was © at an end between us.”’ ‘The wretch!’’ murmured Florimel, between his set teeth. ‘‘ But did you catch a glimpse of her countenance? ”’ he inquired. ‘““T noticed that she had fine dark eyes, which flashed through the holes of her mask,’’ said Pauline, ‘“ brilliant teeth and black hair. Her stature was short; but she was gracefully formed, and she was evidently quite young.”’ ‘“ Enough,” exclaimed Florimel; “ ’tis she, the unfortunate girl, and I merited all her vindictiveness! But once more CONnlIE Oe S) (©)