The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 224: what you’re looking at

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202 THE COURT OF LONDON to ask her for explanations when you find yourself at fault. You must likewise read Peerages and accounts of the aris- tocracy, aS well as the fashionable newspapers and the court journals, so that you may obtain an insight into the histories and the proceedings of all the first families, for you know not how largely such matters enter into the conversa- tion of high life. You possess an excellent memory, and whatever you study you will retain. You have also a quick intellect, and will speedily appreciate all the salient points in these subjects for your study. With your quickness and natural shrewdness, with your powerful mind and expansive genius, you will in a very few weeks complete what may be termed your fashionable education. “ But still this is not all. You must study before your mirror, as well as in books and journals. You must practise the airs, the looks, and the demeanours which are to be adopted to suit all occasions and likewise all emergencies. You must tutor that beautiful face of yours to seem disdain- ful at one moment, and softly winning at another; you must make those lovely eyes of yours flash fire at will, or droop into an expression of languor more softly sensuous than is even their natural wont; and you must apply the same plastic art to your coral lips, so that they may wreathe in smiles, curl with scorn, or be compressed with an air of subdued indignation. You must likewise study your atti- tudes, and practise movements and gestures; and in all this, do not forget that a large portion of your self-teachings is in preparation for the time when you will have to play the artillery of your charms upon that heart against which they are ultimately to be directed. Mrs. Arbuthnot will tell you how the whitest and most beautifully rounded arm may be set off to the best advantage by a particular gesture or atti- tude; how the finest, the whitest, and the most voluptuous bosom may be likewise displayed by a particular position; or how the daintiest feet and ankles can be shown by particu- lar movements, the possessor all the time appearing uncon- scious of the circumstance. I do but glance hurriedly over these details. Mrs. Arbuthnot will go further into them with you, and in her will you find a proficient as well as will- ing and patient instructress.”’ Again Miss Bathurst paused, but rather to gather breath than to ascertain how Venetia received all she said; for the (C(O) nn) GOO S (CO nin