The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 91: what you’re looking at

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

76 dat she was evidently hastening away from the orilliant scene, probably with a view of quitting it altogether; and the Turk was already pressing forward to introduce himself to her notice, when she suddenly stopped short as if some new idea had struck her—and the next moment she was re- tracing her way through the busy throng of masques, towards the spot where the Blue Domino (Lord Montgomery) was still standing. The Turk and the Black Domino likewise altered their course, still bendiog their steps in the track of that being whose form possessed so Many captivating graces as to impress upon the mind the conviction that her face must be of a corresponding loveliness. But this time she approached the Blue Domino with a slower and more timid step—and while she was thus accosting Montgomery in the manner and with the result already described, the Turk and the Black Domino were intently observing her proceedings ftom the opposite side of the staye. ' “By the living God, Germain,” said the Turk, saddenly clutching his companion by the arm, “! never was so enchanted by the elegance, the sym- metry, and the grace of a woman’s form, as I am at this moment! Sach a creature must possess the countenance of a divinity.” “Her complexion is certainly charming, your Royal Highness,” was the response given by the Biack Domino. “Her complexion!” ejaculated the Prince of Wales, who was disguised in the Turkish garb: “is that all you notice with regard to her? Look at her figure—it ie as finely proportioned as that of poor Octavia Clarendon. Then her foot and ankie—and the symmetry of her leg—— Oh ! Ger- main, I must and will possess her—and ‘tis for you to manage the affair for me in some way or an- other.” “Your Royal Highness may rest assured that if it be possible,” said Germain, “this matter shall terminate according to your wishes.” “ Bat what extraordinary coquetry is this which she is practising towards that Bine Domino ?” ex- claimed the Prince, aside to his faithful dependant. “Look how timidly and bashfully she hovers round him—while he does not move an inch! Sarely it is some statae that is perched ap there—and not a being of warm flesh and blood: else never would he remain thus apathetic while so heavenly a crea- ture ie endeavouring to win his attention.” “Your Royal Highness will pardon me,” said Germain; “but he is evidently contemplating her through bis mask with an absorbing interest. My opinion is that each one has got a particular appoint- ment and that neither is convinced that the other is the person expeeted.” “Yes—it must be something of that sort, Ger- main,” observed the Prince; “and the misunder- standing or uncertainty becomes every instant more embarrassing. The Biue Domino remains stationary —the Flower Girl advances timidly—and now she passes him by—and they do not speak! But this is extraordinary, Germain—and [I have a very great mind to accost the fair one and propose myself as her com panion——”" “Your Royal Highness may spoil all by so preci- pitate a course,” said Germain. “Let us see the result of this curious dumb-show and bye-pisy, and be led by circumstances* THE MYSTERIES. “And if the unkuown charmer should find her expected beaw either in that Blue Domino or in some similar masque ?” said the Prince. “ Then it will be difficult to bring matters to the issue desired by your Royal Highness,” returned Germain. “But an idea has just strack me, may i please-——” “ Well—what is this idea?” demanded the Prince. “That there is no appointment at all on the part of this lady,” answered the valet; “ but that she fs a jealous wife or mistress, on the look out for a faith. less husband or a perfidious lover.” “‘E.gad! the idea is not a bad one, Germain,” ex- claimed his Royal Highness. “ But what is she doing now? She advances as far as the musicians —she tums abruptly—she retraces her way—Ah! and now they speak——” “ And there is evidently nothing cordial between them, your Royal Highness,” observed Germain. “Upon my word, { am not sure,” said the Prince: “he takes her hand——” “ And now she repuises him,” added Germain. “Ah! the interview is over—there is some disarree- able discovery ——” “Or else some very embarrassing mistake,” od- served the Prince. “But away she goese—we must follow her—and if she should leave the theatre and take a hackney-coach or a cab, Germain——* “YI uuderstand what to do, your Royal Highness,” said the astute valet, as he followed his master m pursuit of the Flower Girl. But here we must take leave of the Prince of Wales and Germain for the present, and return to Lord Montgomery, whom we likewise left hastening after that same mysterious lady. Cursing his folly for having allowed a single mo- ment to elapse ere he sped in chase of the enchanting creature, he was actually forcing his way through the crowd of masques, when a gentle hand caught him by one of the folds of his domino, and a voice of musical softness said in a tone of timid ingairy, “Lord Florime! t” | Montgomery stopped instantaneously, bat gave ne immediate answer. For this circumstance threw him ail in a moment into an unspeakable bewilder- ment;—inasmuch as the masque who had titus accosted him was a lady of fine figure, and habited asa Circassian Slave. Were there, then, éwo heroines in the preseat ad- veaturef—were two fair ones in the secret of the overture made to Lord Florimel by means of the masquerade-ticket and the blue domino? Or was there some grand mistake eomewhere f—and if 90, which was the legitimate and real heroine—the Flower Girl or the Circassian Slave f Swift as the shadow of a flight of birds passes over a field when the sun is shining brightly, did these thoughts traverse the brain of Earl Montgomery ;~ and with the same rapidity did his eyes sweep the form of the lady who had accosted him. And what was the result of this survey? He observed that she was quite as tall asthe Flower Girl and somewhat stouter; indeed, that she possessed the embonpoint of a woman of riper age, and whose charins have acquired the luxuriant voluptuousness of maturity in place of the first freshness of youths He noticed, therefore, that her bosom was of large proportions, but still preserving a firmness uhmarred by its fulness; and that at all events it was of the purest virginal whiteness, Her shoulders were well ElOOO® co