The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 346: what you’re looking at

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

320 THE COURT OF LONDON to her countenance, her smile in her gay moments was sweet, but with an expression of soft sensuousness, and sweeter still when expanding so as to reveal the teeth of ivory whiteness. Although her person was upon a large scale and her limbs were robust and massive, yet were they symmetrically sculptured, with due fineness in the hands, the taper fingers, the rounded ankles, and the long narrow feet. Thus, altogether, Penelope Arbuthnot was well calculated to be admired, even amidst a throng of court beauties, and she was of that voluptuous figure and also of that age, being twenty-six, which were especially pleasing to the prince regent. That she had become the mistress of his Royal Highness some five months previously to the date of which we are at present writing, the reader is well aware. How is it, then, that she looks mournful and unhappy now? Does she regret the surrender of her person to the prince? Did she feel no gratification in thus acquiring that favour which so many higher-born damsels panted for in vain? Or has she already experienced some treatment on the part of her royal paramour to produce this depression of spirits? In the midst of her reverie the door of the chamber opened, and her mother entered the room. It was a look of almost hatred which Penelope flung toward her parent, as the opening and closing of the door suddenly startled the young lady from her profound meditation. ‘“‘ My dear child,” began Mrs. Arbuthnot, as she advanced, in a coaxing manner, toward her daughter, “how is it that I find you in this moping mood? ”’ “Mother,” cried Penelope, rising to her feet and looking sternly upon her parent, “‘ how is it possible you can ask me this question, when you yourself ought to be able to solve the enigma, if such it be to you? ”’ ‘““T suppose, my dear,” said the bedchamber woman, for such was Mrs. Arbuthnot i in the queen’s household, “ I suppose that you have acquired the certainty as to your condition? ” ‘“‘ Yes,” interrupted her daughter, bitterly. ‘‘ I am indeed in a way to become a mother. And now will you tell me what name my child is to bear when it comes into the world? ”’ “You speak, Penelope, as if you were the only young lady Commiclookks (C(O in ==)