The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

4 REYNOLDS’ WORKS This lady was, at the period when we propose to introduce her to our readers, about two and twenty years of age. She was not above the middle stature, somewhat full in figure, but of good symmetry. She was neither handsome nor beautiful, but at the same time she might be pronounced good-looking. A profusion of dark brown hair, brows somewhat strongly pencilled, large hazel eyes, lips that were full and pouting, but not coarse, together with a splendid set of teeth, — these may be rapidly summed up as her lead- ing personal characteristics. Her.nose was not perfectly straight; it had aslight, but very slight, downward inflexion, though not to the extent that warranted the application of the French term retroussée. Her countenance was the least thing too much rounded to be consonant with perfect beauty, and there was even something sensuous in the configuration of the chin as well as in the formation of the mouth. Yet such was not the impression that would remain upon the mind of an observer in respect to her character, inasmuch as her eyes beamed only with innocence, her manners were modest and retiring, and her bearing was replete with a becoming lady-like dignity. Such was Clarine Volney, at the age of twenty-two. The female servant who originally accompanied the father and daughter to that neighbourhood was a middle-aged woman, of respectable and matronly appearance. She had evidently been long in the family, for she regarded Clarine with that degree of affection which is shown by faithful domestics who have known young people from their birth, and in their childhood have nursed them upon their knees. In the presence of Monsieur Volney, Marguerite — which was the female servant’s name — was careful to address the young lady as mademoiselle, but when they were alone together, she allowed herself the liberty of calling her Clarine. And Clarine herself displayed much attachment towards Mar- guerite, and never issued orders as if conscious of speaking to an inferior. We should observe that immediately after taking the chateau, Monsieur Volney hired a second female servant, and also a gardener, so that his domestic establish- ment consisted of three persons. A sufficient number of rooms in the central part of the building had been fitted up for the use of the family. At the nearest town Monsieur Volney had purchased such furniture (E(0) im ECORNICLIOOKS