The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 180: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. we met—and—and—to tell you the truth, Flori- mel——But, no—it would be ridiculous on my ——— And Mrs. Brace burst into tears. “My dear creature,” exclaimed tae young noble- man, throwing his arm round her neck; “ what, in the name of heaven, is the matter with you? Have I said or done ought to afflict you? Ifso, I declare most solemnly that nothing was farther from my intention. Speak—tell me—leave off weopi i “Oh! you will despise me,—you will laugh at me, Florime] !” murmured the handsome but crafty milliner, drawing him towards her in such a man- nex that his cheek rested against her own. “Tam incapable of treating a friend with ridi- cule,” said the nobleman. “ But tell me, my dear creature—tell me—what you would have me understand ?” 4 That I love you,” answered Mrs. Brace, in a tone of melting teuderness. 22 “ Alas! this is most unfortunate,” said Florimel, his voice expressing commiseration: “ for you are well aware that my heart is devoted to Pau- line——" “Think not, my lord,” interrupted the milliner, “that I was insane—mad—rabid enough to sup- pose that you could love mein return—me, whoa Bo many years older than yourself. But you have toyed with me at times—you have caressed me— you have complimented me. How could I do otherwise than conceive an affection for you—you who ure so eminently handsome! Oh! there was no favour—there is none—which you might uot have demanded of me with the certainty of its being accorded !” And, as she thus spoke, Mrs. Brace wound her arms round the nobleman’s neck and fastened her lips to his. : Now, in spite of all his excellent resolutions— his vows—and his sincere intention of remaining faithful to Pauline Clarendon, Lord Florimel was comicbooks.conn