The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 398: what you’re looking at

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

ATALANTA 363 Armantine tapped his cheek with her small, snowy white hand. ‘‘ The young lady I speak of was consigned to a con- vent, which she relished about as much as you would fancy bread and water for your dinner. Well, she had not been many weeks there when she escaped, and not daring to re- turn home sped to Paris. She knew not exactly how to get her living, and finding it inconvenient to starve, as well as being little disposed to plunge headlong into improper courses — You see, my dear Augustus, it is a very moral tale — ”’ | ‘“‘ But don’t let it get too serious,”’ interjected Softly. ‘““Oh, no,’ exclaimed Armantine, with another smile; “it is about to take a very lively turn. Being an accom- plished dancer, the young lady went boldly to the opera, — not very boldly though, — I mean that the act was bold to go there at all, for she was all modesty and confusion. How- ever, she inquired for the ballet-master, and besought em- ployment. He desired her to afford him a specimen of her abilities, and I suppose that as in consequence of her timidity she acquitted herself with some degree of awkwardness; he chucked her under the chin, no doubt for the purpose of encouraging her. She boxed his ears in return. For a mo- ment he appeared as 1f about to be desperately angry, but altering his mind he burst out into a hearty laugh, for he was a very. good-natured man. This little incident gave the young lady spirits, and then she acquitted herself so well that he resolved to prepare her for the ballet. Then she went through a course of training; her progress was incredible, her proficiency was soon complete. The _ ballet-master treated her with kindness, protected her from insult, and appeared to have conceived a paternal affection for the young lady after the repulse which his first amatory overture had received. At length the day came when she was to make her appearance in public, and every wall in Paris was covered with immense posters, announcing the intended début of Mademoiselle Atalanta, for that was the name which the exquisite imagination of the ballet-master bestowed upon her.” ‘And a very pretty name too,” observed Softly, “‘ but of course not so captivating as Armantine. Pray proceed.” “ Atalanta’s triumph was immense,” continued the French girl, ‘‘ and the reviews on the following day spoke CORMMICLOO© Ss (GO)