Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 214: what you’re looking at

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

A NIGHT AT THE VILLA 197 enjoin you to adopt such measures as to ensure the return of Octavia before eight o’clock this morning — or all will be lost.” | “ You may rely upon me, my beloved Pauline,’”’ answered Florimel. The maiden then cautiously opened the door, and the two descended the stairs together as noiselessly as possible. When they gained the passage below, they paused and listened. All was silent; and, reassured by the certainty that her father slept, Pauline opened the street-door. ‘“ Farewell, sweetest, loveliest girl,’’ said Florimel, in the lowest possible whisper. ‘“ Farewell,’?’ murmured the maiden, in an equally sub- dued tone. Their lips met for a moment, the soft sound of a billing kiss broke upon the solemn silence of the night, and in another instant the front door was closed noiselessly behind the disguised nobleman. Pauline succeeded in regaining her chamber without disturbing Mr. Clarendon; and she retired to rest for a few hours. But the sleep that fell upon her eyes was uneasy and restless, for even in her dreams was she haunted by fears lest her sister’s absence throughout the entire night should be discovered by her father. And in those dreams did not the image of the handsome Gabriel appear to the maiden? We believe so. mC OnMiGOOOKkXsS (©)