The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 347: 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 Florileeds “at all events I shall be pursuing the safer course by breathing this revelation in your ear. Hugene,”’ 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 co