The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 391: what you’re looking at

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

356 THE COURT OF LONDON been suspected by even the most experienced observer; her well-shaped nose, with a scarcely perceptible rising in the middle, imparted a graceful air to her countenance; her mouth, pouting but not gross, was soft even to the eye, and, when smiling, revealed a set of teeth dazzling and perfect; and the whiteness of her neck continued with an increasing delicacy and transparency to the full bosom, which was only half-concealed by the low corsage of her dress. There was altogether about this charming woman such a halo of voluptuousness, tempered by an exquisite refine- ment of manner, such a melting sensuousness, relieved by a@ winning grace, such an admirable blending of physical charms with moral fascinations, that even a youth of sixteen might have forgotten her forty years, and have fallen at her feet, languishing for her smiles. The timepiece on the mantel had proclaimed, with its tinkling silver bell, the hour of six, when Harriet, the con- fidential lady’s-maid, threw open the door and announced ““ Mr. Harley.” Mrs. Brace instantly rose from her seat, and advanced to welcome her visitor with profound respect, and yet with a smile which divested her manner of anything bordering on servility or cringing sycophancy. ‘““T received the note which your Royal Highness — ” began the lady. ‘Hush! am not I always Mr. Harley — plain Mr. Harley — within these walls?” interrupted the prince, as he pressed Mrs. Brace’s hand in his own. ‘‘ Whenever you are indiscreet enough to address me otherwise than by my pseudonym, I shall punish you thus,” and passing his arm around her waist, he drew her toward him and imprinted a long kiss upon her pouting lips. ‘““T am fearful, Mr. Harley,’’ she observed, with a fascinat- ing smile, “ that if you punish me in this manner I shall prove guilty of the oversight very often.”’ ‘Is it possible, Fanny, that you can care one fig for me after the lapse of so many years?” said the prince, con- ducting her to her chair and seating himself on another near her. ‘To have loved you once, Mr. Harley, is to love you for ever,’ answered Mrs. Brace. COMnnic oOo KS, Cerny