The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 389: what you’re looking at

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

308 THE COURT OF LONDON which she has devised so many pretexts to ensure since the evening of the fatal discovery? Concealed in her dress — next to that bosom which shall palpitate no more with love’s Elysian sensations —is a note containing a few hastily penned lines from Sir Richard Stamford. In this billet, furtively conveyed to her, the baronet tells Amelia that he has resolved to leave England for ever; and he beseeches a last interview ere he shall turn his back upon his native land, to revisit 1t never. In the most secluded nook of the spacious park Sir Richard Stamford was waiting for Amelia. His appearance was also changed — much changed, for the load of grief that lay upon his mind was scarcely less than that which appeared to be crushing the soul of the unfortunate princess. Painful, indescribably painful, was their meeting now; not only painful as an encounter between a brother and a sister may be rendered by circumstances of bitter adver- sity, but with an enhanced poignancy because their hearts’ maddened feelings were mingled with a profound sense of shame. ‘“ We now meet for the last time, Amelia,” said the baronet, in a low and tremulous tone. “I thought that you would like to see me once more ere I quit this land for ever — ”’ ‘“ And to what part of the world, Richard, do you intend to repair?’ asked the princess, with downcast eyes and with a faint blush upon her cheeks. ‘“T know not —I have as yet resolved upon nothing,” returned Sir Richard; ‘“ unless it be that I am decided to abandon my native country for ever. This is the only reso- lution which I have formed, and I am certain that you will approve of it.” ‘“T do, I do,”’ said the princess, with imipaacteaind earnest- ness; ana now she raised her tearful eyes and fixed them with mingled tenderness and shame upon the baronet’s. counte- nance. ‘‘ Yes, you do well to leave a country where you have experienced so much misery, Richard,’ she continued; ‘and whithersoever you proceed, may God Almighty’s blessing attend upon you.” ‘“T know that you will often think of me, Amelia, and sometimes pray for me,” returned the baronet, in a voice that was profoundly mournful; “ and this thought will con- sole me in my voluntary exile. But you, dear Amelia, oh, CORNIELIOOLKKS (E(@)