The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 371: what you’re looking at

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

304 THE COURT OF LONDON and, by throwing back her shoulders, endeavoured to make the most of a stature which was not even tall for a woman, it seemed as 11 with the expansion thus given to the chest the glowing orbs would burst forth from their prisonage, and in this manner did the projecting development of bust, apart from all other circumstances above detailed, betray the woman in the masculine garb. We will not, however, linger at greater length upon a portraiture which assuredly had its delicious attractions. Sad, oh, sad, indeed is it to reflect that this creature so lovely was not so virtuous as she was beautiful, that this being so seductive was not so chaste as she was fas- cinating. The masculine toilet, then, being completed, Emma Owen prepared to sally forth from her chamber. One last look did she fling upon the mirror where her symmetrical and, at the same time, voluptuous shape was so faithfully reproduced upon the polished surface, and with her spirits elevated to the highest pitch through the very feeling of satisfaction which she experienced, she turned away and issued from the room. Ah! how her heart palpitated now with the anticipation of ineffable joys, as she pictured to herself the handsome Bergami, who, as she thought, was in a few brief minutes to strain her, warm, palpitating, and slowing with love and passion, in his arms, that handsome Bergami whose miniature counterpart she had apparelled herself to seem! ; The passage was feebly, very feebly lighted by the lamp that burned there, but which was now flickering toward extinction. Indeed, the gloom was so deep that it would have been impossible to discern a figure a dozen yards ahead. All was silent in the villa, silent as the grave, as Emma stole with noiseless steps along the corridor. But suddenly she pauses and listens. That deep silence has just been broken by a sound as of the turning of the handle of adoor. Yes, she cannot be mistaken, it is so, and, moreover, it 1s the door of Mrs. Ranger’s rooms whence the sound emanates. It opens, a head peeps forth, it is Mrs. Ranger’s, and the next instant it is withdrawn again. But the words, ‘‘’Tis he, now in the passage! ’’ uttered with exceeding rapidity by Mrs. Ranger inside the room reached Kmma’s ears, and she, instantaneously fancying that the ECORMICIOO KS (E(0) im