The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 302: what you’re looking at

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

our business is, he will be civil enough, I can pro- mise you. But here we are.” And as Meagles thus spoke, the gig stopped at Mrs. Piggleberry's house in Jermyn Street. The instant that Tim and his fair companion got up-stairs, the requisite orders were issued for théir journey; and a hasty note, which the Ama- son penned to her husband, was despatched by Wasp to the baronet’s house in King Street,—the page likewise receiving instructions to bring round her ladyship’s favourite steed. It was about half-past two o’clock when the pre- parations for departure were accomplished: and now behold Tim Meagles mounted on a spirited horse, which however knew its master’s hand by the way in which he held the reins,—the Amazon bestriding a beaatiful animal, whose curvettings at starting enabled her to display her unequalled skill in the equestrian art,—and Master Wasp seated on the prettiest pony that ever attracted notice with its exquisite shape and its graceful action, Sach was the cavalcade which now moved away from Jermyn Street, and proceeded gently over the stones until the good hard road was gained; and then the steeds broke into a smart trot. Nothing could exceed the picturesque elegance of Lady Letitia’s appearance as she sate, like a modern Diana the Huntress, upon that beautiful animal which she managed with such skill and which eee trond & bear so lovely and interesting a The fine, sharp, frosty air brought the richest carnation hues to the Amazon’s cheeks : her eyes— those dark eyes—shone with the excitement of a kindred glow ;—her luxuriant hair, glossy and silken, streamed in a myriad ringlets from beneath the broad-brimmed hat which she wore so jaun- dly and which gavea certain archness of expres- sion to her handsome features. And how faultless was her carriage—how full of winning grace and statuesque elegance was her atti- tude on horseback! The harmony of.all the un- dulating lines which traced the fine contours, the rounded limbs, and the voluptuous reliefs of her symmetrical form,—the suppleness of which her Organs were capable, the lightness of her movements, and the flexibility which distinguished her muscular powers,—and the superb’ swell of the bosom that seemed ready to burst through the tightly-fitting coat which served a$ an externa! indication of the luxuriance and firmness of that bust,—all these were eet off to their utmost advantage by the feminine gracefaulness mingled with the masculine skill and boldness which characterised her appearance as an Ten thousand times more attractive was she in her male attire than when dressed in the garb which properly belonged to her sex. For whereas the latter concealed all that fine sweeping length of limb which the Amazon possessed in such perfection,—so, on the other hand, did the tight breeches and the elegant boots develope and set ofl, rather than con- ceal, those robust but symmetrical proportions which we have just eulogised. In the same way did the close-fitting frock exhibit the great expansion of the hipe—the waist that seemed so wasp-like in its slen- derness when compared with the fulness of the con- tiguous parte—and that exuberant bust which a very critical j would have pronounced too large # tatisfy a pure and delicate taste for beauty. 285 But a splendid creature was she, certainly—and well might Tim Meagles be proud of the companion- ship of that goddess-like horsewoman. Her fine large dark eyes sparkled with vivacity and spirit: the smiles that wreathed her rich red lips were full of cheerfulness ;—and the glowing colour which was heightened by exertion, resembled the brightest bloom of the carnation, dying off into ivory fairness. To gaze upon her for a few moments, was sufficient to convince the beholder that to a gay and joyous nature she united a warm and voluptuous tempera- ment,—and that boldly and fearlessly as she could dash along over gate and fence, and barrier and ditch, in the ardour of the chase, so meltingly and tenderly could she dissolve into amorous softness and yield herself up to the delicious abandonment of wanton dalliance. Having trotted—then cantered—~and then galloped along the road for some distance, the party reined in their steeds to a walk; and Meagles now related in full all the particulars of his interview with the Prince of Wales. “ Well,” exclaimed the Amazon, laughing heartily, “this is about as amusing an adventure as I was ever Jed into, or as you and I were ever bent upon toge- ther. Here we are,—you in your riding-drees, and I in my huntress-garb,—on our way to Windsor Castle to demand an audience of the King ;—and the object of that audience is the modest request of a peerage for some gentleman whose name is pro- bably unknown to his Majesty’s ears.” “J admit that the adventure is singular and the object is somewhat bold,” said Meagles, echoing his | fair companion’s merry laugh: “ but depend upon it, my beauty, that we will succeed. 1 have got the de- cument—the precious document—in my pocket,” he added, his tone suddenly ‘becoming more serious: “and if his Majesty. be proof against that—why then I shall be most wonderfully mistaken.” ; “ But for what reason on earth have you resolved to drag'me into the royal presence f” inquired Lady Letitia. ' “Tn the first place, my charmer,” answered Tim, “because you and I are partners in certain schemes and plans——” “ But do you fancy, my dear fellow,” interrupted the huntress, reproachfally, * that I cannot trust you to manage things by yourself? I would not wrong you to such an extent, Tim,” she added, hastily: “for you know that I entertain an affec- tion for you—and I bélieve that I am not altogether indifferent to you.” “You may well say that, Letitia!” ejaculated Meagles, although at the same instant the image of Rose Foster sprang up in his mind and caused him to heave a sigh. “ Bat, asIwas o ” hé hurriedly continued, “I thought it right, in the first place, that you should come with me; and secondly, I wanted a cheerful companion. If you object to my first motive, you will at least give me credit for the latter.” “Ah! you are a good-for-nothing fellow, Tim,” exclaimed the huntress, slashing him aeross the shoulders in a playfal manner with her riding-whip. “ And so I suppose we shall pags the night at Wind- sor—eh ” she observed, glancing archly towards him. “ As a matter of course—because we cannot hope to see his Majesty before to-morrow morning, al- COMGLOO S COMM