The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 206: what you’re looking at

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

THE VIRGIN AND THE VOLUPTUARY 175 permit me to call you by your Christian name, as I must henceforth be Gabrielle to you,—I am not unhappy on account of this temporary absence from home. Indeed, I rejoice at the incident, disagreeable in itself though it were, which drove me to seek an asylum beneath this roof, inas- much as it has made me acquainted with you. We have not known each other quite six hours, and I already feel that I love you as a sister.’’ “We will be friends, Gabrielle,’ responded the artless Pauline. “I have often longed to possess a sincere and dear friend, one of about my own age, and whom I could take a fancy to at first sight; for as my sister’s ideas and thoughts so completely correspond with my own, we never have anything now to say to each other, no little confidences to impart, no advice mutually to seek — ”’ “I understand you, my dear Pauline,” interrupted Florimel, enchanted at the turn which the conversation was taking; “‘ and I can assure you that I have often felt just as you describe. Yes, I have longed to form a friend- ship with some young lady of about my own age — ”’ ‘“ How old are you, Gabrielle? ’’ asked Miss Clarendon. “Guess,” returned Florimel, smiling in his sweetest manner. Pauline surveyed the disguised nobleman attentively for nearly a minute, and then said, ‘‘I should conceive you to be about one and twenty.” ‘No, I am only nineteen,’ answered Florimel, determined to make his years correspond as closely as possible with those of his lovely companion. “That is exactly my age!” exclaimed Pauline, with a delight so frank and real that it was almost childish. ‘‘ Yes, yes,’ she continued, in the same joyous tone, ‘‘ we will be friends, bosom friends, Gabrielle, will we not? ” “ Till death!’ replied the nobleman. ‘“ And now let us seal our friendship with a kiss.” Pauline bent down to him as he still remained seated on the chair; and as she pressed her moist lips to his, he could scarcely prevent himself from flinging his arms around her and straining her to his breast. “ Now let us think about retiring to rest,” said Pauline; “and we will talk ourselves to sleep,” she added, gaily. With these words she proceeded to lay aside her gown; (CO) il 0) Oy 0) (C©)