The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 55: what you’re looking at

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

—-—w — ——_ —e 40 THE MYSTERIES. CHAPTER XII. HE APPOINTMENT. Ir is necessary to inform the reader who may be unacquainted with London, that St. James’sSquare is immediately behind Pall Mall West, and that the backs of the houses in the former are con- tiguous with the backs of those in the Jatter. The dwelling of Mrs. Brace, the celebrated milliner, was in Pall Mall: but she likewise tenanted the house immediately behind it, and the front of which gccordingly looked into St. James’s Square. The one in Pall Mall had the shop, show-rooms, and toilette-chambers ugual in a Jarge and fashionable millinery establishment: the other, in the Square, had al] the appearance of a handsome private residence. Between these two houses was a means of com- munication; and as Mrs. Brace’s abode was a. place of assignation for the voluptuaries and demi- reps of the West End, nothing could possibly be more convenient for the purpose—the lady enter- ing by the shop in Pall Mall, and the gentleman by the door in St. James’s Square. Mrs. Brace was now a lady of about forty years of age; and though her charms had expanded intoa maturity even more voluptuous than the fulness of embonpoint, she nevertheless might still be pro- notinced a very fine woman. Her features were masculine, large, and expressive of a sensual dis- position ; but their outline was handsome—anda splendid set of well-preserved teeth, a fine pair of dark eyes, and black hair which time had left un- marred by a single streak of grey, gave her a certain air of beauty which failed not to find admirers. She was always dressed with elegance—some- times with splendouralso; but evenin the magni- ficence of her apparel, good taste was invariably yecognised. Nothing could be more charming than che coquettish morning cap, with flowing ribands, in which she appeared at the breakfast table; no- thing more graceful than the wrapper which she wore en deshabillee until about eleven in the fore- noon. At that hour she would retire to her chamber, whence in the course of ten minutes she emerged in a morning-gown of the newest pattern ; and her morocco slippers were exchanged for well- fitting shoes—for Mrs. Brace was justly proud of a nicely shaped foot and ankle. But it was about three in the afternoon that this lady might be seen in the perfection of her toilette. If it wero summer time, she would appear in a muslin dress of the most exquisite material, or perhaps in a light silk: but whichever it were, be well assured that its make and style were faultless. In winter she would wear either the richest satin or the most glossy velvet, and as her complexion was good— enhanced, perhaps, a little by means of cosmetics —the dark hues of these dresses set her off to the greatest advantage. Instead of bedizening herself with a profusion of jewellery, she displayed but little about her person: nevertheless, the ear- pendenta, the chain, and the one ring which she might wear in addition to the wedding-ring, were certain to be chaste, elegant, and costly. Then her manners wereso fascinating—obliging and affable, without sycophancy—polite and re- spectful, without the slightest taint of cringing ser- 2 eee vitity. All the young ladies in her establishment partook of their meals at a large table where she presided ; and the honours were done by her with as winning a courtesy and as strict a propriety as if she were entortaining a number of select guests instead of her own work-girls. And a bevy of beauteous creatures were they—upwards of a dozen in number, and forming a combination of charms as well asdisplaying a varicty of loveliness enchanting to behold. But, alas! every one of these captivating beings had been sacrificed in her turn to some stripling of the aristocracy or hoary voluptuary whose gold was deomed a sufficient price to purchase gems of female chastity. For upwards of fifteen years had Mrs. Brace been established in Pall Mall: what she was pre- viously to her appearance there, no one knew. She represented i:crself as a widow—and perhaps was, butshe never volunteeredany explanation relative to the calling, profession, or business of her late husband. She had set up in business with a large capital, and was not only able to pay her own way without an effort, but likewise to give one, two, or even three years’ credit to her aristocratic cus- tomers. No one, therefore, took any troable to fathom her antecedents; and as her establishment was conducted with all the outward appearance of the strictest propriety, its real nature was known only to a very limited circle. ' Precisely at six o'clock in the evening, Octavia Clarendon alighted from a hackney-coach at the door of Mrs. Brace’s shop in Pall Mall; and on entering, she was immediately accosted by that lady herself, who had no trouble in recognising the lovely creature whose personal appearance had already been fully described to her. ‘Be so kind as to walk this way, Miss,” said Mrs. Brace, with such a winning smile apd such a pleasing manner that Octavia instantly recovered from the embarrassment into which she had been thrown on finding herself in a large shop, splen- didly fitted up, and filled with beautiful girls whose brilliant eyes were all simultaneously raised to- wards her. Miss Clarendon followed the amiable and hand- some lady up a magnificent staircase, into a small but elegantly furnished room; and the moment she crossed the threshold, Mr. Harley, who was already there, came forward to receive her. The door closed behind Octavia, Mrs. Brace gliding noiselssly out as she drew it after her ;— and the young maiden was now alone with her lover. . “How can I sufficiently thank you, charming girl, for proving thus mindful of your promise exclaimed Harley, leading her to a sofa, and plac- ing himeelf by herside. “Oh! I was fearful that you would disappoint me—I trembled lest some- thing might occur to retain you at home!” “Had I obeyed the dictates of prudence, Ishould not have come,” responded Octavia, casting dowam her eyes and blushing deeply; “ bat-——” “ But inclination prompted you, dearest girl,” added Mr. Harley, perceiving that she stopped short -with increasing embarrassment. ‘‘ Yes— tell me the truth—-confess that you were not altogether displeased at the idea of secing me again——” “ ‘Were it otherwise than as you wish me to say I should not be here now,” observed Octavia: ther, as a sudden thought struck her, she glanced has- se Sse SSS ee sneer? “YP CONnNCOOOKS.CO