The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 375: what you’re looking at

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

342 THE COURT OF LONDON obtrusive in my conduct? Never have I ventured to accost you save when I observed that you were alone; never have I attempted to force myself upon your attention when you have been in attendance on her Royal Highness, or in com- pany of the other ladies of her household.”’ ‘“ T am free to confess,’’ said Emma, with one of those arch smiles which she knew so well how to assume, and which rendered her so truly bewitching, so dangerously captivating, ‘“T am free to confess that every word you are now uttering is truth itself. So far from accosting me when I have been with others, you have invariably watched your opportunity to catch me when alone. If at Milan or at Turin I merely went out unattended, the length of a couple of streets, to purchase an article at a shop, you were immediately at my side — ”’ ‘Yes, dear young lady,” interrupted her companion, ‘to offer you my arm, to protect you against insult, defend you against danger — ”’ ‘“ Yes, and also to whisper certain love-nonsense in mine ears,’’ continued Emma, with a gay laugh and a mischievous look. ‘‘ And it has been the same since we arrived at Geneva. Whenever I have happened to be alone, behold the oppor- tunity for your appearance! The day before yesterday, for instance, it was on yonder heights, last evening it was during a stroll along the shore of the lake, and now, when anxious to escape from the heated dinner-saloon and enjoy the fresh air of the garden — ”’ “Your tormentor again rushes into your presence,’ said her companion, with a smile irradiating his really very handsome countenance and showing his fine teeth. ‘“ Yes, but in order to rush into my presence he scales a wall,’ exclaimed Emma, with an arch look which showed how very far she was from being angry. ‘““My angel, my adored one, for such indeed you are,”’ exclaimed the gentleman, ‘‘ can you look me in the face and declare that my presence here in this garden was altogether unexpected on the present occasion? When we parted yesterday on the shore of the lake, I ventured to express a wish and a hope that you would grant me another interview as speedily as possible, and then, with your own pretty mouth and in the melodious cadences of your sweet voice, did you hint the probability that you would be walking in the Gomicbooks (E(@)