The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 340: what you’re looking at

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

306 THE COURT OF LONDON ‘A blue domino, by Heaven!” ejaculated Florimel, unfolding the ample garment, which was edged with a peculiar braiding and had a sort of star made of the same material upon the crown of the hood. ‘The fair unknown whose heart you have captivated,’ said Montgomery, “ is determined that the adventure shall be as completely romantic and as well defended by judicious precautions as possible. You are to wear this domino in order that she may recognize you at the masquerade for which she has sent you a card; and the costume is purposely signalized with braiding in such a manner that no mistake may arise, even should there be a dozen blue dominos in the room. You are a fortunate fellow, Gabriel,’’ added Montgomery; “ for all these precautions, and the evident. anxiety which exists to shroud the adventure in as profound a secrecy as possible, naturally lead us to infer that the fair unknown is some lady of exalted rank and untarnished reputation. Altogether, the intrigue promises to be of a piquancy sufficient to move an anchorite.”’ ‘‘ And yet I shall not keep the appointment nor accept. the overtures thus mysteriously made,”’ said Lord Florimel, whose manner had gradually fallen into a strange abstraction. ‘“ Not keep the appointment! Not accept the overtures! ” echoed Montgomery, with the most unfeigned astonishment. ‘‘ Are you in earnest, Florimel, or have you so little faith in my friendship and discretion that you are afraid I shall betray you to the beautiful Miss Pauline Clarendon?” ‘Those are not my reasons, Eugene,” said the young nobleman, in a very serious tone; “‘ but I will unhesitatingly admit, even at the risk of being well laughed at by you, that I am resolved, indeed, I have sworn, never to commit an act of perfidy toward Pauline. Therefore, my dear Eugene, I shall not take any further notice of the overtures whereby I have been honoured; and if you really value my friendship, you will not make the slightest attempt to dissuade me from my purpose. Poor Pauline! she loves me so devotedly, and she has latterly experienced so much affliction on account. of her father’s inauspicious marriage and other circumstances. of a domestic nature, that I could not find it in my heart to plunge headlong into this intrigue, even though I were certain that it would never reach her ears.”’ - ‘“‘ After all you have said, my dear Gabriel,”’ cried Lord. (C(O) ANC 6)(0)©) (C(O)