The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 198: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XVIII PAULINE It was about seven o’clock in the evening, and Pauline was seated by the fire in the front parlour of the villa. She was not merely alone in that room, but likewise in the house; for the charwoman had taken her departure some hours previously, and Octavia had been absent since five. | We do not pretend to know — at least for the present — what excuse the elder sister had made for thus leaving home for two evenings running, and for several hours on each occasion; but certain it is that Pauline was well satisfied, and entertained not the least idea of the real motive of Octavia’s proceedings. And now she was seated by the fire, as above stated, and occupied with her needle, not on fine work, but in the re- pairs of the household linen; for although our readers may smile at our minuteness of detail in this respect, we can assure them that we have only mentioned the circumstance in order to enhance their good opinion of the charming girl who thus sought to make up by her own thrift for the slenderness of her father’s income. And as Pauline’s tall and elegant figure was slightly inclined over her occupation, and the cheerful light of the fire streamed with Rembrandt effect upon her lovely countenance, she appeared far more interesting and attractive than she would have done if lounging on a luxurious sofa, attired in the richest style of fashion, and embellished with artificial ornaments. For not more beauteous in its glossy luxuriance would have seemed that dark brown hair, though sparkling with gems; not more fair nor polished would have been that brow, though crowned with a tiara of diamonds; nor more pure 167 (C(O) ail Doo (C(O)