Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 211: what you’re looking at

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

194 THE COURT OF LONDON in respect to that bright and beauteous being whose con- duct was so well calculated to win the approval of a generous heart. ‘‘ Pauline — my beloved Pauline,’ he murmured, in a contrite tone, “‘ you have worked a great and signal change within me. On my knees, yes, on my knees, do I implore your pardon for all that has been bad and wicked in my behaviour toward you this night.” And Gabriel sank into a suppliant posture before her as he thus spoke. The amiable but strong-minded girl extended her hand, which he took in both his own and pressed respectfully to his lips; and she did not attempt to withdraw it. For that same experience — or rather intuitive knowledge — which had so suddenly made her sensible of the excellence of female virtue and the dangers that surrounded it, also prevented her from falling into the extreme of a ridiculous prudery. “ Do not kneel to me, my lord,’’ she said, in a kind and encouraging tone. ‘“‘ Remember, I am but a humble girl, and you are a great nobleman.” ‘“ And my pride shall be to make a great lady of you, adorable Pauline,” responded Florimel, as he rose from his suppliant posture and resumed his chair. ‘* And now tell me what you wish me to do, or, rather, give me your in- structions, and I will obey them.” ‘Oh, how well could I think of your sex were you always to adopt this demeanour toward me,’’ exclaimed Pauline. “Now do I recognize in you everything generous and noble and good which properly belongs to man.” “Tf I be thus changed, Pauline,’’ said Florimel, in a tone of sincerity, “ it is your bright example that has worked so salutary an effect.” ‘Dear Gabriel, you know not how it delights me to hear you speak in language characterized by truthfulness and candour. You are far, oh, far handsomer, now that your features are expressive of frankness and_= sincerity, than when your words were fraught with guile and deceit.” “You feel, then, that you can love me, sweet Pauline? ” asked the nobleman, a pure and holy delight imparting ecstatic sensations to his soul. ECORNIE OOO KS (E(0)