A Queer Race: The Story of a Strange People — page 101: what you’re looking at

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

98 A QUKER RACE. that ner majesty was likely to be a crabbed old woman with a fat body and a sharp tongue. However, I went in—walked into the middle of the room (rather a large one) with as much composure as I could muster—and then stopped short in mute surprise. At an open casement, which commanded a view of the > mountain, the lake, and the sea, sata young woman reid- ing a book with an ancient binding much the worse for wear. Ather feet crouched an animal which at first sight I took for a huge mastiff; but when the creature rose to its feet, showed a row of fierce-looking teeth, and wagged a tail about a yard long, I saw that it was a wild beast, and, jf not a lion or a lioness, uncommonly like one. | ‘©Don’t be alarmed,” said Queen Mab, pleasantly; ‘‘ it is only my pet puma; he is not used to strangers. Down, Cato!” | Whereupon Cato resumed his recumbent position, greatly to my relief. “Mr. Erle, a passenger by the Diana, the ship that anchored in the bay this morning,” announced Mr. Field. ‘«¢ Welcome to Fair Island!’ said the queen, rising from her chair and offering me her hand. I took the hand anid kissed it—a proceeding which no- body appeared to expect. for Mr. Field made a gesture of surprise and Mr, Amyas Fane scowled. ‘The queen, how- ever, seemed in no way displeasedy She smiled, bowed graciously, and then regarded me earnestly and curiously. I returned the look with. interest; I could not help it. I should have done the same had she been ten royal per- sonages rolled into one. Never was woman better worth looking at than Queen Mab. She was within two inches of my own height, beautifully proportioned and faultlessly shaped. A tight- fitting dress of some dark glossy material set off her form to the best advantage. Round her waist was a pearl- studded girdle; she wore a necklace to match, and each of her arms was encircled with a curiously wrought brace- jet of gold. Her face was, moreover, white, and her com- plexion pure. A mass of black curls rested like a coronet on a broad and noble brow, and her flashing, gypsy-like eyes, slightly aquiline features, firm mouth, and broad comichbooks.com