The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 278: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. THE MARCHIONESS OF BELLENDEN, cealed altogether; and those who were wont to| stance could banish completely from her fall red admire the superb slope of her shoulders, could now contemplate their dazzling whiteness into the Although the impressions were still fresh and vivid which had been made upon her by Sir John Lade’s sudden death, and which had fastened upon her mind when the tidings of that event were con- veyed to her in the sponging-house,—and although her present discourse with Tim Meagles was of a grave and serious nature,—yet was there a certain roguish archness in the expression of her features which contrasted singularly enough with the mourning cap that imprisoned her handsome countenance. This charming wickedness of look Lad become so habitual to her that she could not possibly divest herself of it, even if she had tried: it flashed from her magnificent dark eyes—glowed upon her carnation cheeks—and shone in the half. smile that no seriousness of thought or circum- 86 . lipe. Her friend and companion Tim Meagles was but little altered in personal appearance; his coun- tenance was slightly weather-beaten—and that was the only visible effect his voyage had produced upon him. He was dressed in precisely the same dash- ing style which has already been made so familiar to our readers,—the sporting coat, the white cor- duroys, the lapping waistcoat, and the top-boots. His auburn whiskers were as well curled as ever, and perhaps a trifle larger; and his bright red hair was parted with that studied negligence which threw its wavy masses up in such a manner as to give an advantageous elongation to the appear- ance of the head. His linen was scrupulously clean: his neckerchief was tied with characteristic fastidlousness ;—and across his hat upon the side- board lay the almost inseparable riding-whip. But the countenance of Tim Meagles wore & ee an a CONMUICLIIOOLKS 265