The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 69: what you’re looking at

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

o2 REYNOLDS’ WORKS Florina mechanically glanced in the direction toward which Edmund’s looks were bent, and as she at once recog- nized the individual who had attracted his notice, the colour deepened to a richer hue upon her cheeks. At the same instant she dropped her fan, which she hastily stooped to pick up; and a very close observer, had there been one near, might have fancied that it was in the confusion of suddenly excited feelings she thus dropped the fan, or else did it purposely, as a pretext for hiding her emotions. ‘Well, I never knew that the steady and hard-working Mr. William Deveril was a frequenter of operas,’ continued Lord Saxondale. ‘‘ Upon my word, teaching drawing and music must be very profitable things nowadays, when they enable their professors to appear in handsome costume at Her Majesty’s Theatre. By the bye, Deveril has given you drawing-lessons, has he not? ”’ ‘“He has,’’ answered Florina, who, having taken her bouquet from the parapet of the box, was now bending over it, apparently in deep contemplation of the flowers that com- posed the nosegay; but suddenly raising her head, she observed, “ Since that new style of painting on ivory with fast colours was introduced from Italy a year or two ago, a great many young ladies have gone to school again so far as that beautiful art is concerned, and I have been among the number. That is to say, I have taken a few lessons from Mr. Deveril, and I believe your sisters are doing the same at the present time? ” ‘“ That’s how I came to know the fellow,’ remarked Saxon- dale, contemptuously. ‘‘ But, by Jove! only look at his impudence. He has actually bowed to us.” The young aristocratic coxcomb turned around disdain- fully, not choosing to notice the respectful salutation of a drawing-master; but Mr. Deveril was more than recom- pensed for the insolent youth’s conduct by the graceful acknowledgment of his bow which he received from Lady Florina Staunton. ‘“ You don’t mean to say that you noticed him?” ex- claimed Saxondale. “Why, would you have me guilty of a most wanton and unnecessary piece of rudeness? ”’ she asked, but again bend- ing her head over the bouquet of flowers, and, indeed, unconsciously pulling one of them to pieces. CONNIE OO KS (E(0)