The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 103: what you’re looking at

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

80 THE COURT OF LONDON by her side, he said, “ Tell me, therefore, that you do love me —or at least assure me that I am not indifferent to you. Look up, my angel — turn your heavenly counte- nance toward me — and now let me behold those delicious lips frame the delightful words, ‘ I love thee!’ ” “Oh, who can resist your winning eloquence!” mur- mured Octavia, whose beauteous eyes expressed all the tenderness of an engrossing passion. Then, after a few mo- ments’ pause, she exclaimed, “‘ Yes, George — I love thee! ”’ Again did the enraptured Harley imprint a thousand kisses upon her flushed and glowing countenance; again and again did he clasp her to his breast, and he could feel her bosom throbbing against his chest like the undulations of a mighty tide ebbing to and fro. Octavia was lost as it were in a new world of ineffable bliss. She felt like one who has sud- denly passed from the monotony of a well-known and long familiar clime into a glorious land where streams are most pearly, foliage most green, flowers most beautiful, fruits most luscious, and the air most fragrant; and, forgetful of the past as well as reckless of the future, she abandoned herself to all the ecstasy, the delirium, and the glow of a new and transcendently blissful existence. It was a full sensation of love that the beauteous maiden thus experi- enced; and it was a species of poetic sensuousness that sur- rounded her as with a halo, bathing the cheeks in crimson hue and pouring a flood of light into the swimming eyes. While thus locked in Harley’s fond embrace, Octavia thought not of her sister, nor of the danger of being discov- ered in that position, nor of anything save the Elysian bliss which she derived from the new sentiments that animated her and the paradise which had thus been opened to her imagination’s enjoyment; and had opportunity served — had there been no fear of the sudden return of Pauline — Harley would have found her then and there an easy con- quest. But strong though his passions were, yet was he enabled to command a certain amount of presence of mind; and gently separating from the confiding, loving girl, he said, ‘‘ This is a heavenly dream of happiness in which all worldly thoughts are absorbed. But we must exercise prudence, my angel — and ’tis now for me to remind you that Pauline will soon return. Tell me, sweetest girl, can you possibly find an excuse to go out alone for an hour or Connicoooks (C(O)