The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 208: what you’re looking at

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

THRE MYSTERIES CF THE COURT. « And yet you are ready to plunge headlong into an amour with Jocelyn hoftas,” exclaimed Agathe, laughing—for the natural gaiety of her disposition soon returned, “Ah! but he is so very handsome!” \marmured Emma, with a deep sigh of mingled pleascre and ardent longing. “It is however quite clear that we cannot both wia him te our arma—to one only meust the triumph and the happiness belong ——” “Tet me have a fair opportunity of plying him with the artillery of my fascinations,” said Agatha p “and if I discover that his heart is proof, I will abandon him to your seductive wiles.” “ Agreed |” exclaimed Emma. “ And after all— even supposing that you should be in the way to become a mother—it¢ is much better to make up one’s mind to lead a life of picasure and gaicty, especially as we cannot hope to make very excel- leat marriages : for our reputation has been assur- edly damaged by our intimacy with the Princes.” “And therefore,” added the eldest sister, with the ooolness of suttled depravity, “if we have the character of being no better than we should be, let us also have the enjoyment.” “Upon that point, Agatha,” observed Emma, “you and I have already agreed; otherwise we should not be discoursing so confidentially, so unreservedly, and so frankly as we are doing now. But to retarn te the handsome Jocelyn— what opportunity do you require? and how cam I succoar you?” “ Contrive to get Mrs. Ranger and Julia to accompany you shopping this afternoon, if possi- ble,” replied Agatha: “and I will remain in-doors with Jocelyn. He wiil not offer to eacort you if you expressly say you ave going out shopping.” “Leave it to me,” said Bmma, “I suppose that after breakfast we shall all sally forth in company to see the liongs then we shall return to luncheoa—-—" “And siterwards I shall feel too tired to go ous again before dinner,” observed Agatha. “As for Mrs. Ranger, I am very certain that instead of standing in the way of an intrigue, she would wiak at it—espesially if a few guineas were slipped into her hands. Oh! I have fathomed that woman's cuaracter fag more deeply than our micther has __* Bat mamme is very credalous in some things,” observed Emuma,—*" although so very aetute and ounnied im others. |r deg Prelhengdaineenchrsa stantly way 0 Princes, and expecting that we should pass with impunity through the fiery furnace f° “It was most preposterous !* exclaimed Agatha. “ But here ie Julia.” “What! not dressed yet?” cried this young lady, as she enterdd the room. “I have been up for the last hour—and should have come to chat with you, if that dreadful old creature, Mrs. Ran- ger, had not kept me te help her put herself to. gether. I never knew such a painted sepulchre as she is—such a made-up specimen of self-modern- ised antiquity. Bat, by the bye, I have not until now had an opportunity of asking you both what you homey “ our travelling-companion ?” bs the very subject we have been discussing for the last hour, Tal? replied Agathe. “ We both consider him y handsome, agree- able, and fascinating, Indeed, for myself, I infinitely prefer him to the Prince of Wales—Emma likes him much better than the Duke of York--——” “And I now regard the Duke of Cumberland as a perfect ourang-outang of ugliness in comparison with this Adonis of a Jecelyn,” observed Julia, with a gentle sigh. “ Has he exhibited any tenderness towards you ?* inquired Agatha. “ Not the least!” she answered, in surprise at the question. ‘ What made you think so ft” “ Because he hase rejected certain little overtures which Emma and I have made towards him,” re sponded the eldest sister: “ and therefore we fancied that he most either have experienced a preference for you, op else must be proof against our witcheries altogether.” “ What! a handsome young man feel no passion |” exclaimed Julia: “and three pretty girls unable to thaw the ice of his heart! It’s too absurd.” “So we think,” rejoined Agatha; “ and therefore we are going to lay siege to him in ourtums & first—Emma second—and you third, Julia, if we fail.” “ Be it eo,” said the youngest of the three sisters, And after thie delectable conversation, they de- scended to the sitting-room, where Jocelyn was already seated, deep in the perusal of a French news- paper. Mrs. Ranger shortly made her appearance 3 and during the repast the plans of the day were set- tled. It was avranged that immediately after break- fast they should all proceed together to visit some of the principal buildings—that they should return to luncheon at three—that in the afternoon those who had purchases to make should go out shopping—and that in the evening the whole party should visit some theatre. Jocelyn had been in Pasis before—as had also Mrs. Rangers they were eonsequently well able to conduct the young ladies to all the most remarkable sights in the French metropolis—and a few hours were thus passed agresably enough. Thev returned to Meurice’s shortly after threes o’cloek : and during lanch- time Emma inquired who propesed tg accom- pany her on a visit to the milliners’, jewellers’, and other fashionable repositories. Mra Ranger was of course indispensable to suck e tour, which requined her knowledge of Paris--and Julia was prompt in giving an affizmative anewer. But Agatha, pleading a elight head-ache, expressed ber intention of re- maining in-deors natil the evening: and Jocelyn said not a word. He was hewever well pleased at thus finding an opportinity of disooursing alene with one of the sisters. Mrs. Ranger, Emma, and Jubla went up to dress again; and Agatha inquired gaily whether Mr. Lof. tus meant to stay and keep her company. He re- plied that he proposed to do himself thet honour: and Agatha turned suddenly sway to conceal the fiush of mingled joy and sensuous antigipation which she felt burning upon her cheeks. Qbeerving that she must leave him fer a few minutes, in order te help her sister Emma at the afterncen’s toilette, she hurried from the apartment. “Jocelyn will semain with me,” she said, in a tone of triumph, as ahe entered the chamber te which Emma had preceeded her. “And now, then, let mae make the most of the charms which heaven has given me.” She selected a dress whieh, without beg too fia or in any way gaudy, was of surpassing elegance: CO ELOOO COMM