The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 184: what you’re looking at

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AABN MYSTERIES. 107 CHAPTER XLVIIL THE MANGEUVRING MILLINER. Ir was avout eight o'clock in the morning fol- lowing the night of adventures just related; and Mra. Brace awoke from a pleasant dream in her downy bed. Hastily referring to her watch, which lay upon a little table close at hand, she discovered | that she had somewhat over-slept herself; and, rising | from her couch, she thrust her feet into a pair of | slippers, put on a dressing-gown, and drew back the ' window curtains. The pavement of Pall Mall looked white snd frosty—for the weather was intensely cold: bat reckless of the freezing air, the handsome milliner proceeded to comb out her long black tresses—and when she had performed this portion of her toilette, che entered an adjoining room, in which there was | @ large bath filled with water. | Laying aside her vesture, Mrs. Brace unhesi- tatingly plunged into the bath—the thin ice which covered the surface of the water, breaking with a | sharp crackling sound into a myriad pieces as the robust form of the lady thus broke through it. | For a few instants her teeth chattered; for the water was cold—piercingly, latterly cold: but this sensation tpeecily passed away—and as she rubbed herecif all over with her hands, a glow of warmth ' was suffased throughout her entire frame. In three ‘ or four minutes she emerged from the bath; and | then the rapid friction of large coarse towels aug- ! mented that genial heat—and while her cheeks be- ; came animated with the ruddy tinge of health, her ‘ neck, shoulders, bosom, and limbs appeared polished, white, and dazzling as alabaster. ; Resuming the slight attire which she had put off, | Mra. Brace returned to her bed-room—arranged her : hair in negligent curls, which showered down her _ back—performed ‘her ablutions with scented soap— ' and used a costly pearl-powder for her teeth. Having thus beautified herself, she put ona becoming cap, _ and retired again to her couch. | Almost immediately afterwards Harriet, the lady's- maid, entered the room, and appeared surprised to find that her mistress was not up and dressed. “I am somewhat indisposed this morning,” said Mrs. Brace; “and shall take my breakfast in bed. | By the bye, Lord Florimel will call a littl before nine o'clock: but he may come to me here—as I | nos that he wishes to see me on some important “Very good, ma’am,” returned the abigail; and the quitted the room. In a few minutes Harriet reappeared, carrying a Massive silver tray, on which the milliner’s morning repast was spread. The chocolate was steaming in a alver pot—the boiled milk was contained in a cream- jug of the same metal—and a round of toast, made With great care, was kept warm by the plate being placed over a basin of hot water. In fact, had Mrs. Brace been a Duchess, it was impossible to serve her with a more delicate attention. _ Harriet retired—and the milliner was half-reclin- ing on the large downy pillows, sipping her choco- late, when Lord Florimel made his appearance. Throwing aside his cloak snd hat, the young nobleman approached the ded, saying, “My dear friend, I am quite chagrived to hear of your indis- position. What is the matter with youf—and when were you taken 11] ?” “T awoke with a dreadful head-ache—but it will pass away presently,” answered Mrs. Brace, asgsum- ing the languid tone and looks of an invalid. “You must excuse me, my dear Florimel, for receiving you in my bed-chamber ——” “It is not the first time I have set my foot in this sanctuary,” interrupted the nobleman, with a sly amile. ‘* True,” observed Mrs. Brace: “it was here that you dressed yourself in lady’s attire, preparatory to the little adventure with Miss Pauline Clarendon.” “You mistake, my dear friend,” said Florimel. “TI did not dress myself—it was you that performed the duties of abigail on my behalf.” “And I remember you were so naughty all the time that [ had the greatest difficulty in lacing your stays and hooking your gown,” returned the milliner. “I must admit that I snatched a kies or two while you were thus engaged, my dear friend,” observed Florimel: “but I was a very wicked fellow then Now, as you are well aware, I am thoroughly altered —and indeed, I may be safely trusted in any lady’s bed-chamber in the universe.” “Still in the same sentimental mood, my lord?” exclaimed the milliner, smiling archly in spite of her affected indisposition. “A few weeks have made a marvellous alteration in you.” “ But Pauline is so beautiful—so truly beautiful !” cried the young nobleman, with an unfeigned enthu- siasm ; “ and she is so amiable—so good—so gentle— so Virtuous ——” “IT have not a doubt of it,” interrupted Mrs, Brace. “But shall you always remain faithful to herf Think you that, when you are married to her, you will never go astray ?” “T am too much a man of the world to believe in the existence of such constancy on the part of one of my own sex,” responded Florimel, gravely: “ but this I do declare and believe—that years will elapse before temptation can become sufficiently strong to render me faithless to Pauline. Atall events, I shall strive to merit her good opinion—I shall endeavour by my conduct to deserve her;—and you may de- pend upon it, my dear friend, that if [ had not known you for a considerable time, I should not have ven- tured up into your bed-chamber on this occasion.” “Then you consider me to be no one?”’ said Mrs. Brace, pouting her lips in so ravishing a manner that Lord Florimel could not help thinking to himself how remarkably handsome the milliner was looking. “You misunderstand me altogether,” he exclaimed. ‘‘T consider you to be a very dangerous creature,” he added, smiling, “on account of your beautiful person and your fascinating manners.” “ Well—I am glad to see that your lordship can pay a compliment, in spite of the sentimentalism which has taken so firm a hold upon you ;”—and Mrs. Brace smiled also—but it was to display her brilliant teeth to the best advantage. “Oh ! I am not unmindful of the claims of other ladies upon my admiration,” said Florimel ; “ but then, I have acquired strength sufficient to enable me to resist all temptations. As I was observing, however, I look upon you so much in the light of a sincere friend, that I do not hesitate to venture into your bed-chamber. Were it otherwise, I should not have come hither—even if you were only a quarter as handsome as you really are. And permit me to COMGLOO S COMM