The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 80: what you’re looking at

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

64 THE COURT OF LONDON perfect anchorite, or that he rejects our overtures because he is smitten with Julia? ” “I scarcely know what to think,’’ responded Agatha. ‘“‘ But I do not fancy that he is inclined to pay any particular attention to Julia; and as for a young man of two or three and twenty years being an anchorite, is not the most probable theory to fall back upon. He may possess very lofty notions of honour.’’ ‘“‘ He evidently does possess them,’ observed Emma. ‘‘ And is therefore loath to engage in an intrigue with young ladies who are to a certain extent under his protec- tion,’’ added the eldest sister. “Very likely. Or else he is afraid of that old harridan Ranger,” suggested Emma. ‘Far from it,’’ exclaimed Agatha. ‘‘ He experiences for her the most sovereign contempt, although he endeavours to conceal it. But I have marked the curl of his beautifully chiselled lip — oh, what classic lips! ”’ ‘“‘ And such a faultless Grecian face, with that clear, rich brown complexion,’’ observed Emma. “ His hair, too, is magnificent, dark as jet and as glossy as a woman’s. Then his teeth — yours and mine are not whiter nor more even.”’ ‘“‘ And that is paying ourselves a compliment at the same time,’”’ said Agatha, laughing so as to display the rows of pearl which shone between her red and juicy lips. ‘“ But did you ever behold such splendid eyes as Jocelyn’s? Ah! when I think of that fat, puffy, bloated prince, and then fix my thoughts upon Jocelyn, it seems as if I had submitted to the pawings of a great imp and now vainly sigh for the embraces of an Apollo.” “Nor can I reflect lovingly upon the Duke of York’s image,” said Emma, ‘‘ when that of Jocelyn is uppermost in my mind. I wonder whether Julia is smitten by him, and whether she thinks of her Duke of Cumberland in con- trast with our handsome fellow traveller. And yet,’’ ex- claimed Emma, suddenly laughing gaily and turning toward Agatha, “‘ it is not every trio of sisters who have had three princes as their lovers — ”’ ‘‘ And paramours,”’ added the eldest girl; then, with a sub- dued sigh, she observed, in a tone that altered strangely all in a moment, “Do you know, Emma, I am very much afraid — ”’ CORNICE OOOKS ACO)