The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 393: what you’re looking at

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

THE MASQUERADE — SCENE THIRD — 359 evening, and we will continue to watch the fair one’s move- ments for the present.’ : ‘“So as to seize upon any incident which may transpire to the furtherance of our aims,’’ added the valet. But let us now draw our readers’ attention a little more closely to the Flower Girl herself. , It was perfectly true that she was leaning against the wall for support, indeed, to save herself from sinking upon the floor, so overwhelming were the emotions under which she laboured. The deepest affliction and the heaviest weight of sorrow appeared to have fallen upon her on beholding the excellent understanding which evidently subsisted between the Blue Domino and the Circassian Slave; and when she saw them depart together, a species of vertigo seized upon her, her brain became dizzy, her sight failed her, and she felt as if all the chords which bound her immortal spirit to its mortal tenement were snapping with a fearful rapidity. Suddenly a hand was laid gently upon her shoulder, and a soft voice said, soothingly, ‘‘ Dear lady, remember where you are, command yourself, control your feelings, I implore ou.” : ‘“‘ And who are you, kind being? ”’ asked the Flower Girl, exerting all her energies to regain her self-possession. ‘““T am one who knows you well,’ was the response, deliv- ered in the same gentle tone as before. The Flower Girl now regarded the Gipsy more attentively, and perceived that she was short in stature, beautifully symmetrical, and evidently young. Her face was carefully concealed by her mask; but fine dark eyes flashed through the holes, brilliant teeth were visible behind an aperture which that wizard had for the respiration, and luxuriant black hair was arranged in massive bands beneath the gipsy- hat which the female wore with a ravishing coquetry. The eyes of the Flower Girl swept over the Gipsy in order to recognize her, if possible, by the traits of the figure, the stature, and as much as could be thus observed beneath her pic- turesque costume; but it was evident that the former could not call to mind any one within the circle of her acquaintance _ on whom she was able to fix and identify as the Gipsy. “You know me well,” said the Flower Girl, at length; “but are you equally well known to me? ”’ ‘““ No, lady, you are totally unacquainted with me, except (C(O) ANC } KS \