The Mysteries of the Court of London by Pauline Clarendon — page 114: what you’re looking at

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

THE APPOINTMENT 11] with splendour also; but even in the magnificence of her apparel, good taste was invariably recognized. Nothing could be more charming than the coquettish morning cap, with flowing ribbons, 1n which she appeared at the break- fast-table; nothing more graceful than the wrapper which she wore en déshabillé until abcut eleven in the forenoon. At that hour she would retire to her chamber, whence in the course of ten minutes she emerged in a morning gown of the newest pattern; and her morocco slippers were exchanged for well-fitting shoes—for Mrs. Brace was justly proud of a nicely shaped foot and ankle. But it was about three in the afternoon that this lady might be seen in the perfection of her toilet. If it were summer time, she would appear in a muslin dress of the most ex- quisite material, or perhaps in a lignt silk; but whichever it were, be well assured that its make and style were faultless. In winter she would wear either the richest satin or the most glossy velvet; and as her complexion was good — enhanced, perhaps, a little by means of cosmetics — the dark hues of these dresses set her off to the greatest ad- vantage. Instead of bedizening herself with a profusion of jewelry, she displayed but little about her person; nevertheless, the ear-pendants, the chain, and the one ring which she might wear in addition to the wedding-ring, were certain to be chaste, elegant, and costly. Then her manners were so fascinating, obliging and affable, without sycophancy, polite and respectful, without the slightest taint of cringing servility. All the young ladies in her establishment partook of their meals at a large table where she presided; and the honours were done by her with as winning a courtesy and as strict a propriety as if she were entertaining a number of select guests instead of her own work-girls. And a bevy of beauteous creatures were they, upwards of a dozen in number, and forming a combination of charms as well as displaying a variety of loveliness enchanting to behold. But, alas! every one of these captivating beings had been sacrificed in her turn to some stripling of the aristocracy or hoary voluptuary whose gold was deemed a sufficient price to purchase gems of female chastity. For upwards of fifteen years had Mrs. Brace been estab- lished in Pall Mall: what she was previously to her appcar- COME OOO SS (GO)