The Mysteries of the Court of London by Pauline Clarendon — page 172: what you’re looking at

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

PAULINE 169 of Mrs. Brace, his disguise was complete. His rich chestnut hair was curled into a thousand ringlets that showered from beneath an elegant gipsy hat over his shoulders; and the black silk gown which he wore came high up to the very throat and was artistically padded in the corsage. The ample shawl was arranged with the utmost precision; and Florimel’s feet and ankles appeared femininely diminutive in the silk stockings and neat boots which encased them. Alto- gether, he seemed and acted the well-bred lady to perfection. Pauline hastened to place a chair near the fire for his accommodation; and then, resuming her own seat, ap- peared to await any explanatory remarks that he might choose to offer. Florimel affected to be greatly agitated; and Pauline not only begged him to lay aside his bonnet, or rather gipsy hat, but actually rose and unfastened the ribbons with her own hands. Then, as the young nobleman felt the fingers of the beauteous girl touching his cheeks, and her form coming in contact with him as she thus rendered her aid to one whom she believed to be of her own sex, his blood began to circulate like lightning in his veins; and as he gazed up at the heavenly countenance which bent over him, while her very breath fanned his face, he experienced feelings of a softer, more tender, and purer nature than he had ever known before. The bonnet was laid aside; and Pauline, as she resumed her seat, could not help thinking what a beautiful head of hair her visitor possessed. Moreover, there was something - in Florimel’s appearance which enlisted her sympathies in his favour; and as she cast a rapid glance at his pleasing features, she thought that she beheld in them the indications of many engaging and amiable qualities. | “I know not how to thank you sufficiently for your kindness toward me,” said the young nobleman, rendering his naturally melodious voice as femininely subdued in tone as possible. “‘ But what can have become of my dear mother?’ he exclaimed, suddenly reassuming an air of painful agitation. ‘‘ Surely those rude people cannot have ill-treated her? ”’ ‘Compose yourself, my dear young lady,” said Pauline, rising from her seat. “I will cheerfully go and look for your mother — ”’ ECOMMIE OOO Sj Gom