The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 87: what you’re looking at

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

63 THE COURT OF LONDON o’clock; and during lunch-time Emma inquired who pro- posed to accompany her on a visit to the milliners’, jewel- lers’, and other fashionable repositories. Mrs. Ranger was of course indispensable to such a tour, which required her knowledge of Paris, and Julia was prompt in giving an affirmative answer. But Agatha, pleading a slight headache, expressed her intention of remaining indoors until the eve- ning; and Jocelyn said not a word. He was, however, well pleased at thus finding an opportunity of discoursing alone with one of the sisters. Mrs. Ranger, Emma, and Julia went up to dress again; and Agatha inquired gaily whether Mr. Loftus meant to stay and keep her company. He replied that he proposed to do himself that honour, and Agatha turned suddenly away to conceal the flush of mingled Joy and sensuous antic- ipation which she felt burning upon her cheeks. Observing that she must leave him for a few minutes, in order to help her sister Hmma at the afternoon’s toilet, she hurried from the apartment. ‘“ Jocelyn will remain with me,” she said, in a tone of triumph, as she entered the chamber to which Emma had preceded her. ‘‘ And now, then, let me make the most of the charms which Heaven has given me.”’ She selected a dress which, without being too fine or in any way gaudy, was of surpassing elegance; and being made after the most approved fashion of the day, 1t was cut so low in the body as to leave the shoulders entirely bare and reveal so much of the bust that the imagination had but little trouble in filling up the remainder of the glowing picture. She was not above the middle height, though a little taller than Emma; but there was more dignity in her gait than in that of her sister, and the statuesque carriage of her neck and shoulders gave her bosom, naturally fine, the grandest development. This she knew full well; and hence her selec- tion of a dress which displayed her charms to the most 1? voluptuous advantage. But she threw over her shoulders - a gauze kerchief, thus flimsily veiling the beauties which, with all the accomplished artifices of coquetry, she really intended to be seen. Mrs. Ranger, Emma, and Julia sallied forth together, and Agatha returned to the sitting-room, where Jocelyn had remained. The moment she made her appearance in (COU () IDoOoks (E(0)