The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 252: what you’re looking at

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

BEHIND THE SCENES © 230 magnificent dark hair, a pair of fine bright eyes, with nobly arching brows, and a beautiful set of teeth. Thus, altogether, Emily Archer — or Emile d’Alembert, which was her theat- rical pseudonym — was a very handsome and attractive young woman. At the moment when we thus particularly notice her amidst the throng in the concert-room on the night in ques- tion, she was looking somewhat angry, inasmuch as young Lord Saxondale, who had promised to see her there that evening, had not as yet made his appearance. Several other gay gallants had accosted Miss Archer, but she gave them no encouragement to continue discoursing with her. The fact was, she was mightily pleased with her new conquest, know- ing him to be the heir to immense estates on attaining his majority; and therefore she was too anxious to retain him in the silken chains of her fascination to risk losing him by a flirtation with other aspirants. Thus, if Miss Archer re- mained faithful to Lord Saxondale, — and meant to do so, as long as it suited her convenience, —it was through no love of him, but because her self-interest was gratified. Suddenly her countenance brightened up-as she beheld the young nobleman enter the concert-room; and nodding familiarly to three or four fashionable acquaintances whom he recognized, he passed amidst the throng and speedily joined Miss Emily Archer. ‘“‘ How late you are to-night! ”’ she said, affecting to pout her lips as she gave him her hand. “ I thought you were not coming.”’ “ My dear girl,’’ responded Saxondale, ‘*‘ I was dining with my friend, Lord Harold Staunton, and a number of other men, and after dinner we had cards, so that really the time slipped away without my noticing it. But when I did see how late it was, I hurried off at once, and here I am. Now pray be so kind as to look as pleasant as you can.”’ “JT will, since you have made an apology,’ answered Emily, who could judge pretty well from his manner that he had found the means of complying with a certain request she had made in the morning. “ There, now, you look quite radiant,’ said the infatuated Edmund. © But mind,” she immediately rejoined, in a low whisper and with an arch smile, ‘“ that you do not fall in love with COnNIEOOOkKS (S(O)