Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 313: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. 305 i| | | | | | | ' ae HBS, : | ' | | Y | ; >/a.\¥ sey Ta | HH ace AP | ETO | ! wan Nt hi, = TT I | Misses ts =x fY | | | j } Hu j > i = —> aM ned | Fans CRA Lyi LL INS) ee ceria | IT | j wea 1 THT ga ’ | . 1 « | . i i is ra Sl lh ae i) ah « (. to excite the admiration of even their own sex. From her couch Ciprina was conducted to a batb- room, where the atmosphere was deliciously per. fumed, and the water of the bath itself had the fragrance of eau-de-cologne or otto of roses. Then, on issuing from the bath, Ciprina’s luxuriant raven hair was gently and softly combed out by the handmaidens; and if it suited the young lady’s mood to have music, she had but to speak the word and the wish was complied with. Her toilet was performed with the least possible amount of exer- tion to herself; and as her time was entirely her own, she might linger over it with a species of delicious languor or pleasurable indolence. Then, on joining the Marchioness in the breakfast par- lour, Ciprina was sure to find ber noble friend pro- vided with sume amusing topic of discourse; while the repast itself was such as to tempt the most fastidious appetite, or create one where it natu- rally existed not. Then the forenoon was spent No. 39.—AGNEs. in lounging over portfolios of prints—in the music-rootu—or in the picture gallery—or perhaps by a visit to the conservatories: but never did Ciprina put her hand to needlework,—no, not even to such light embroidery as the most fashionable idleness or aristocratic indolence might choose ag the means of whiling away an hour or two. In the afternoon visitors were received—for the Mar. chioness was acquainted with all the elite of Floren. tine society ; or else, if the ladies did not choose to remain indoors, the carriage was ordered and they repaired to the public exhibitions, to day- concerts, or to conversaziones, or to any others of the numerous fashionable amusements with which the Tuscan capital abounds. In the evening the Marchioness generally invited a few friends to dinner; and three or four times a week her saloons were thrown open at nine o’clock for the reception of those who had the entrée at ber mansion, a a re ee ee, tae ae Ce one Bee po a CoOMmiclooolks oOimM