The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 387: what you’re looking at

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

THE MASQUERADE — SCENE SECOND 353 described to him, and of which the mysterious being now by his side was at the time alike the creatress and the partaker. ‘“‘T ask you whether you wished to meet me again, Ga- briel,’”’ said the lady, in reply to his own ejaculatory observa- tion, ‘‘ because it is sweet to receive such an assurance, and because I must learn, ere we proceed further in the renewal of our amour, whether you are prepared to be as docile, submissive, and obedient to all I shall suggest or require as you were upon the former occasion? ”’ | ‘“ Dearest lady, do you imagine that by word or deed on my part I would forfeit the bliss which is derived from your society?” asked Lord Montgomery, still speaking in a low and assumed tone; and it struck him that through the holes in the lady’s mask came burning looks vibrating with desire. Then, as from behind his own mask, he fixed his eyes more ardently than before upon the splendid form of the Circassian Slave, his devouring looks sought to penetrate through her very garments and feast, as it were, upon the charms of her entire person, so that in imagination did he finish and com- plete all the flowing lines which traced the contours of her shape, and all the inflections and swelling reliefs of her lux- uriant figure, untilher apparel grewdiaphanous, and her whole form became visible through the transparent vesture. Then, still giving the rein to his wanton fancy, he felt as if he were already folding in his embrace that fine person and revelling in all the sensuous enjoyment of its charms; and, maddened by the desires which were consuming him, he seized her hand, murmuring in that tone of half-suffocation which is caused by extreme emotion, whether of bliss or pain, ‘‘ Lady, dear lady, let us depart to thine abode of love and mystery and pleasure.” ‘‘ Yes, we will hasten away from this scene which has no longer any attractions for me, since I have encountered you, my Gabriel,” returned the Circassian Slave, her voice trembling with a profound sigh of pleasure. At that moment Lord Montgomery perceived the Flower Girl standing at a little distance and evidently surveying himself and his companion with the most absorbing atten- tion; and suspecting that her views were far from friendly if not downright mischievous, — though who she was or what her aims might be he could not, for the life of him, (C(O) Anyi } ES {