The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 261: what you’re looking at

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

244 THE COURT OF LONDON Thus speaking, the eldest sister stepped back from the balcony into her chamber, and putting off the elegant French wrapper, she proceeded to array herself in the garb pre- scribed by the fashion of the time as the morning toilet for ladies in attendance upon royalty. This costume partook more of that which constitutes the evening dress of the present day, for the corsage was cut low, the sleeves were short, and a profusion of jewelry was worn. | ‘| wonder,’’ said Emma, as she assisted Agatha to put on her dress, “ whether the change of affairs in France will turn to the advantage of our iormer friend, Mr. Jocelyn Loftus, as he chose to call himself,’’ and she laughed gaily at the reminiscences which the mention of his name conjured up. “ Doubtless he is still a prisoner at Grenoble,” said Agatha. ‘‘ At all events, he was still a captive there at the time the ‘last accounts were received in England from the French authorities respecting him.”’ “Ah!” observed Julia, “ but that was before the sudden and unexpected return of Napoleon into France. We know not what may have happened since — ”’ : ‘Depend upon it,’ interrupted Agatha, “‘ if Jocelyn — I suppose we shall never call him by any other name than Jocelyn,’’ she added, laughing. “ But I was going to observe that if he were free, you may rely upon it we should have heard or seen something of him at Geneva ere this. Come, Julia, confess, would you not like to have to play Laura | Linden allover again? ”’ “Tf you could ensure me a successful result,’”’ rejoined the youngest of the three charming demireps, “‘ but that was something more than you could even achieve for yourselves,”’ she added, with a merry laugh that rang musically through the chamber. “Never did a young man withstand such temptations before,’ said Emma. ‘‘ May we not without vanity declare that it was the three Graces tempting Apollo? ”’ ‘Three goddesses tempting a youth of godlike beauty,” observed Agatha. ‘‘ You know that at Richmond we were called the Four Goddesses.”’ ‘Including poor Mary,” said Julia, with a sigh. “I wish she was with us, instead of being buried in that cottage in Canterbury, where she still was when mamma last wrote — ”’ Gomichbooks (E()