The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 209: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 195 “ And yet you are ready to plunge headlong into an amour with Jocelyn Loftus,” exclaimed Agatha, laughing—for the natural gaiety of her disposition soon returned, * Ah! but he is so very handsome!” murmured Emma, witha deep sigh of mingled pleasure and ardent longing. “It is however quite clear that we cannot both win him to our arms—to one only must the triumph and the happiness belong——” “ Let me have a fair opportunity of plying him with the artillery of my fascinations,” said Agatha: “and if I discover that his heart is proof, I will abandon him to your seductive wiles,” “ Avreed!” exclaimed Emma. “ And after all— even supposing that you should be in the way to become a mother—it is much better to make up one’s mind to lead a life of pleasure and gaiety, especially as we cannot hope to make very excel- lent marriages: for our reputation has been assur- edly damaged by our intimacy with the Princes.” * And therefore,’ added the eldest sister, with the coolness of settled depravity, “if we have the character of being no betier than we should be, let us also have the enjoyment.” ‘‘Upon that point, Agatha,” observed Emma, “you and I have already agreed; otherwise we should not be discoursing so confidentially, so unreservedly, and so frankly as we are doing now. But to return to the handsome Jocelyn— what opportunity do you require? and how can I succour you?” “Contrive to get Mrs. Ranger and Julia to accompany you shopping this afternvon, if possi- ble,” replied Agatha: “and I will remain in-doors with Jocelyn, He will not offer to escort you if you expressly say you are going out shopping.” “Leave it to me,” said Emma, “I suppose that after breakfast we shall all sally forth in company to see the lions: then we sliall return to luncheon——” “And afterwards I shall feel too tired to go out again before dinner,” observed Agatha, “As for Mrs. Ranger, I am very certain that instead of standing in the way of an intrigue, she would wink at it—especially if a few guineas were slipped. into her hands. Oh! I have fathomed that woman’s character far more deeply than our mother has done.” “ But mamma is very credulous in some things,” observed Emma,—* although so very astute and cunning in others. The idea of throwing us con- stantly in the way of the Princes, and expecting that we should pass with impunity through the fiery furnace |” ’ “It was most preposterous !” exclaimed Agatha. ** But here is Julia.” * What! not dressed yet?” cried this young lady, as she entered the room. “I have been up for the last hour—and should have come to chat with you, if that dreadfal old creature, Mrs, Ran- ger, had uot kept me to help her put herself to- gether. I never knew such a painted sepulchre as she is—such a inade-up specimen of self-modern- ised antiquity. But, by the bye, L have not until now had an opportunity of asking you both what you think of our travelling-companion ?” “That is the very subject we have been discussing for the last hour, Julia,” replied Agatha. “We both consider him uncommonly handsome, agree- able, and fascinating. Indeed, for myself, I infinitely ee oo —- ——- ee oe _-—— — prefer him to the Prince of Wales—Emma likes him much better than the Duke of York 4 “And I now regard the Duke of Cumberland as a perfect ourang-outang of ugliness in comparison with this Adonis of a Jocelyn,” observed Julia, with a gentle sigh, “Has he exhibited any tenderness towards you ?” inquired Agatha. “ Not the least!” she answered, in surprise at the question. ‘* What made you think so 2?” “ Because he has rejected certain little overtures which Emma and I have made towards him,” re- sponded the eldest sister: “ and therefore we fancied that he must either have experienced a preference for you, or else must be proof against our witcheries altogether.” “ What! a handsome young man feel no passion !” exclaimed Julia: “and three pretty girls unable to thaw the ice of his heart! It’s too absurd.” “So we think,” rejoined Agatha; “and therefore we are going to lay siege to him in ourturns, [ first—Kmma second—and you third, Julia, if we fail.” : ** Be it so,” said the youngest of the three sisters, And after this delectable conversation, they de- scended to the sitting-room, where Jocelyn was already seated, deep in the perusal of a French news- paper. Mrs. Ranger shortly made her appearance; and during the repast the plans of the day were set- tled. It was arranged that immediately after break- fast they should all proceed together to visit some of the principa: buildings—that they should return to luncheon at three—that in the afternoon those who had purchases to make should go out shopping—and that in the evening the whole party should visit some theatre, Jocelyn had been in Paris before—as had also Mrs. Rangers: they were consequently well able to conduct the young ladies to allthe most remarkable sights in the French metropolis—and a few hours were thus passed agreeably enough. Thev returned to Meurice’s shortly after three o’clock: and during lunch-time Emma inquired who proposed to accom- pany her on a visit to the milliners’, jewellers’, and | other fashionable repositories, Mrs, Ranger was of | course indispensable to such a tour, which required | her knowledge of Paris—and Julia was prompt in giving an affirmative answer. But Agatha, pleading | a slight head-ache, expressed her intention of re- maining in-doors until the evening: and Jocelyn said not a word. He was however well pleased at thus finding an opportunity of discoursing alone with ohe of the sisters. Mrs. Ranger, Emma, and Julia went up to dress | again; aud Agatha inquired gaily whether Mr. Lof- tus meant to stay and keep her company, He re- plied that he proposed to do himself that honour; and Agatha turned suddenly away to conceal the flush of mingled joy and sensuous anticipation which — she felt burning upon her cheeks, Observing that she must leave him for a few minutes, in order to help her sister mma at the afternoon’s toilette, she ‘urried from the apartment, “Jocelyn will remain with me,” she said, in a tone of triumph, as she entered the chamber to which Emma had preceded her. “ And now, then, let me make the most of the charms which heaven has given me.” She selected a dress which, without being too fine or in any way gaudy, was of surpassing elegance; — -_— — - _— — -_— mGONMIGOOO <SF (CO)