The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 182: what you’re looking at

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

i THE — CHAPTER XLVIII. TiE MANCUVRING MILLINER. Ir was about eight o’clock in the morning fol- lowing the night of adventures just related; and Mrs. 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 and frosty—for the weather was intensely cold: but 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, she entered an adjoining room, in which there was a 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, bitterly cold: but this sensation speedily passed away—and as she rubbed herself all over with her hands, a glow of warmth _ was suffused 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, _ Mrs. Brace returned to her bed-room—arranged her eee 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. “YT am somewhat indisposed this morning,” said Mrs. Brace; “and shall take my breakfast in bed. By the bye, Lord Florimel will call a little before nine o’clock: but he may come to me here—as I know that he wishes to see me on some important business.” “Very good, ma’am,” returned the abigail; and she quitted the room. In a few minutes Harriet reappeared, carryimg a massive Silver tray, on which the milliner’s morning repast was spread. ‘The chocolate was steaming in a silver 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, Hatriet 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 and hat, the young nobleman approached the oed, saying, “ My dear. friend, [ am quite chagrived to hear of your indis- — —E MYSTERIES. 1u7 position. What is the matter with you?—and when were you taken ill ?” “T awoke with a dreadful head-ache—but it will pass away presently,” answered Mrs. Brace, assum- ing the languid tone and looks of an invalid. “ You must excuse me, my dear F'lorimel, for receiving you in my bed-chamber és “Tt is not the first time I have set my fvot in this sanctuary,” interrupted the nobleman, with a sly smile. “True,” observed Mrs. Brace: “it was here that youdressed yourself in lady’s attire, preparatory to the little adventure with Miss Pauline Clarendon.” “You mistake, my dear friend,’ said Florimel. “T 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 I had the greatest difficulty in lacing your stays and hooking your gown,” returned the milliner. “JT must admit that I snatched a kiss 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, | 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 ——” “T have not a doubt of it,’ interrupted Mrs, Brace. “But shall you always remain faithful to her? Think you that, when you are married to her, you will never go astray ?” “Tam 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 sulliciently strong to render me faithless to Pauline, At all 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 creatare,” 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 sentimentalisin which has taken so firm a hold upon you;’’—and ‘irs. Brace smiled also—but it was to display her brilliant teeth to the best advantage. “Oh! Iam 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 1 was observing, however, I look upon you so much in the light of a sincere friend, that | 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 Com Clooolkks. conn