The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 219: what you’re looking at

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

THE PREFECTURE OF POLICE 201 hero. At all events, full certain was it that her round plump arms encircled his neck, her full and well-developed bust was in the closest contact with his chest, her head lay droop- ingly upon his shoulder, and her whole form was yielded up, as it were, in the utter abandonment of exhaustion and faintness, as a sleeping child is borne in the arms of a father. He felt her warm cheek against his own, her fragrant breath fanning his face, her silky tresses commingling with his own hair; and as she heaved quick, short gaspings, like half- suffocated sobs, the firm bosom palpitated with rapid un- dulations against his breast. Thus, had there been aught of grossness or impurity in his imagination, he must have yielded to such exquisite temptations; for assuredly that position was seductive enough to melt the stoicism of an anchorite or vanquish the virtue of an angel. | Gently depositing Laura Linden upon the couch, Jocelyn inwardly hoped, by everything solemn and sacred, that she would not fall off into a complete swoon, but would speedily recover. He remained standing by the couch, in that same brotherly spirit of readiness to minister any attention that might be required; nor could he very well have retreated, even had he been so disposed, for the lady, apparently with the nervous tenacity of one whose ideas are thrown into confusion, had caught hold of his hands and retained them clasped in her own. ‘Do you feel better, Miss Linden? ”’ asked Jocelyn. ‘‘ Yes, much better, I thank you,” she responded, pressing his hands as if in gratitude to her bosom. ‘“‘ You have been kind, very kind to me,’”’ she murmured, in a tremulous tone; ‘““no brother could have been kinder or more affectionate,”’ and she imprinted a kiss upon the hand which was nearest to her lips at the moment. Jocelyn started perceptibly at what seemed to him an uncalled-for manifestation of a too tender gratitude; and the next moment Laura suddenly abandoned the hold which she had upon his hands, exclaiming, “‘ I feel so much better now that I will return into my own room. But you must assist me to pass through the aperture,” she added, with that musical vibration of tone, which showed that she was smiling at the idea. Rising slowly from the couch and in a manner which seemed to indicate that she was still weak and feeble, Miss GOMIIGboo (CE) im