The Mysteries of the Court of London by Pauline Clarendon — page 141: what you’re looking at

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

138 THE COURT OF LONDON “J shall undertake it with all the ardour of a most im- _ passioned wooer,”’ exclaimed Lord Florimel. “Nay, I have thought of a scheme by which the fortress may be surprised and the victory won with ease,’ observed Mrs. Brace. ‘“ Moreover, the adventure which I propose has in it something so romantic, so truly original, so piquant, to use a French expression, that I am certain beforehand of the delight with which you will enter into it.” ‘“My curlosity is even painfully excited,’ cried the young voluptuary. “Do you not think that you would look well in female attire? ’’ demanded Mrs. Brace, surveying him with an arch smile. “Oh, now I comprehend you, my dear friend! ’’ exclaimed Florimel. “‘ It will be delicious! A young lady — separated from her mother in a crowd — lost her way — late in the evening — dreadfully alarmed — implores an asylum for the night — ”’ ‘“ Excellent!’ cried Mrs. Brace. ‘ Your lordship enters fully into the spirit of my meaning. And row that I have thus far gratified your curiosity, my dear Florimel, you will perhaps grant me your patience while I make a few very necessary observations in connection with these charming sisters. I have already told you that a certain gay gentle- man, to whose kind patronage I am as much indebted as to your own, has won the affections of Octavia, the elder; but as cogent reasons will prevent him from visiting her at her own abode when the father returns home, he is naturally desirous that she should consent to meet him here as frequently as it may suit his fancy to receive her. It would, however, be a difficult task for Octavia to remain long and often absent from home, without having the company of her sister; and I have therefore concluded that in order to secure the connivance of Pauline in Octavia’s love in- trigues, it is absolutely necessary that Pauline herself should be led into a similar adventure. The two sisters will then make confidants of each other, and, by acting in concert, they will set the watchfulness of the father at defiance.” ‘Most admirably reasoned!’ exclaimed Lord Florimel. . ‘Each sister being provided with a lover, they cannot reproach each other, but will mutually assist in the delightful intrigues! I must therefore presume that Octavia’s gallant ECORNIELOOOKS (Elo) m