The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 376: what you’re looking at

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

THE VILLA AT GENEVA 043 * garden this evening. Thereupon I avowed my intention of laying in wait thus to catch you, and I do not recollect at the time that you gave utterance to anything in the shape of a negative.’ ‘“ Because I could scarcely believe it possible that you would have the presumption thus to introduce yourself within the precincts of her Royal Highness’s dwelling,” and as Emma thus spoke she again looked with a certain mischievous archness in her companion’s face. “You provoking creature,’’ he exclaimed, flinging his arms about her neck and straining her to his breast. Nor did she withdraw her lips from the close pressure of his own. ‘There, now I have punished you in a befitting way for the manner in which you have been talking tome. but, after all, you do not seem to fancy that I am absolutely hideous? ”’ ‘“ Oh, what conceit on your part,’ exclaimed Emma. Then as one of her beautiful white hands played most involuntarily, as it were, with the light, curling hair of her companion, who, by the bye, was tall, slender, well made, and good-looking, she said, ‘‘ I certainly do not consider you particularly ugly, and it is perhaps because your personal appearance is so much in your favour that I, like a silly, weak-minded girl as I am, have allowed myself to be inveigled into a kind of romantic friendship for you.’’ “Oh, then you admit this much?” exclaimed her com- panion, with one arm down about her waist and his left hand clasping hers. ‘““ Well, I have made the admission,” she said, smiling with a gay archness, “ and I do not wish to recall it. But did we not just now say something about explanations, and if so, let them commence at once. In the first place, should you really wish this friendship of ours to continue, you will tell me your name, for you can scarcely fail to remember that notwithstanding the numerous occasions on which you have forced yourself, as it were, upon my presence, you have never once condescended to make me aware who it might be that thus considered me worthy of his persevering attentions.”’ ‘True, dearest girl,’’ exclaimed her companion, “ it was most remiss on my part. But will you not pardon me when I assure you that every time I find myself in your presence I become so absorbed in the contemplation of your charms and drinking in the melody of your sweet voice, that I totally Cconnicloooks (C(O)