The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 305: what you’re looking at

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

THE BARONET AND ROYAL MAIDEN 271 Her Royal Highness was attired with an elegant simplic- ity which became her style of beauty far more advanta- geously than the richest apparel gemmed with precious stones. The modest gipsy-hat enhanced the air of winning softness and sweet amiability which characterized her countenance; and the rich contours of her full, voluptuous form were developed rather than concealed by the plain dress which fitted closely to her fine, luxuriant shape. The smile that wreathed her lips parted them so as to display the teeth of dazzling whiteness; and her cheeks wore the healthy glow of virginal freshness that had deep- ened with the rapid walk which the royal lady had taken through the park. ‘“ Beautiful princess! ’’ exclaimed Sir Richard Stamford, throwing himself upon his knees before her and pressing to his lips the hand which she extended toward him, “‘ how can I sufficiently testify my gratitude for this honour, this unexpected pleasure? ”’ “If you mean to regard my visit as an honour, Sir Richard,”’ said the princess, “ you will at once invest it with a cold formality which will destroy all the meaning and significance which I had wished to impart to it. Ina word, it was as a friend that I came to see you.” ‘‘ And as my good genius, my guardian angel, do I wel- come you,” cried the baronet, again pressing Amelia’s hand to his lips. Then, rising from his knees and gently conducting her to a seat, he placed himself by her side, saying, ‘‘ This is the happiest moment I have known for a long, long time, and far happier than I had ever hoped to experience again.” ‘‘ Now you speak in a manner which gives me pleasure,”’ said the princess; but, feeling that a blush was rapidly overspreading her countenance, she hastened to observe, ‘We have pledged a lasting and indestructible friendship to each other, and it was this sentiment which prompted me to take a step that under other circumstances would be improper and inconsistent to a degree. ‘Tell me, therefore, that you do not think less of me for having intruded myself upon your privacy; tell me that I have not suffered in your estimation.”’ ‘Oh, my dearest friend, for such you have permitted me to call you, and such you have indeed proved yourself,” (C(O) mG 6)(0)©)