The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 207: what you’re looking at

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

190 REYNOLDS’ WORKS place their mansion at your ladyship’s disposal for a short period.” ‘““T am exceedingly indebted to you for this assurance,” answered Indora, ‘‘ and I am almost inclined to accept your courteous offer. Open that parcel, and show me the con- tents.” | Madame Angelique did as she was directed, and exhibited four or five superb pieces of dress material, — each piece containing the requisite quantity to be made up into cos- tume. ‘“ What are the prices of these? ’’ asked Indora. Madame Angelique named the specific sums, inwardly chuckling the while at the prospect of succeeding in the object of her mission, In comparison with which she cared little for the sale of her costly materials, which indeed, as the reader may suppose, she had only brought with her as a blind. ‘“T will purchase them all,” said Indora, and drawing forth a purse from beneath the immense velvet cushion on which she was half-reclining, she counted forth the sum in Bank of England notes. “ Your ladyship will perhaps permit me to make up these materials after the European fashion?’’ said Madame Angelique. ‘‘ Pardon me for the compliment, but your lady- ship would look as well in such apparel as in that sweetly picturesque costume which your ladyship now wears.”’ ‘“ No, leave these pieces here,’ replied Indora. ‘“ But you may make me three or four dresses of a far more simple character, —such, for instance, as English ladies ordinarily wear. You may furnish me likewise with bonnets and shawls to match, for if I am really to pay this visit to Oak- lands, I must appear there in a garb which will avert the gaze of disagreeable curiosity.” ‘“T understand, my lady,” answered Madame Angelique. ‘“T have your exquisite form so completely in my mind’s eye that no measurement is necessary, and I am confident of being enabled to afford your ladyship the completest sat- isfaction. Indeed, such faultless contours as your lady- ship’s — ”’ “ But look you,’’ interrupted Indora, “‘ I have my own reasons for desiring all this to be contrived with some little privacy. In short, when I return to my native land, I ) COMNIELIOO)<S, (EC) m