Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 235: what you’re looking at

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

218 THE COURT OF LONDON alarmed at first on hearing that thieves had visited the house during the night; but they were speedily tranquillized by the assurance that nothing had been stolen. Mrs. Brace intimated her desire that no unpleasant notice on the part of the public should be attracted toward the establishment by suffering the particulars of the attempted robbery to transpire; and thus the affair was effectually hushed up. Scarcely had the milliner returned to her own parlour — it being now nearly seven o’clock in the morning — when Lord Florimel was announced by the footman whose duty it was to attend the door in St. James’s Square, by which means of entrance, be it recollected, all persons of the male sex were introduced into the establishment. The young nobleman had been home to his splendid mansion in Piccadilly, and had resumed his male attire; but it was really difficult to decide which became him most, and this, indeed, was the observation that Mrs. Brace made the moment the footman had retired. ‘And now tell me of your success, my dear Florimel,”’ she continued, .with an arch smile which enabled her to dis- play her very fine teeth. ‘“‘ Your countenance is pale and pensively interesting — ”’ ‘Tell me, my dear friend,’’ he abruptly exclaimed, “‘ has Octavia taken her departure yet? ”’ “Oh, no,’ responded the milliner ‘She can scarcely have slept off the effects of the wine in which the narcotic was mixed, and a glass of which her gallant administered to her. For Harriet was present at the time, and saw her take it.”’ | “Then she is safe!” ejaculated Florimel, with strange emphasis. “What do you mean?’’ demanded Mrs. Brace, gazing upon the nobleman with unfeigned surprise. ‘““My dear friend, do not seek explanations at present,’ he returned, in a tone slightly petulant; “ you shall learn everything in the course of the day. I will come presently and have a long discourse with you. Nay, do not appear angry and pout,” he added, patting her plump cheek with his delicate white hand, and resuming his wonted kindness of manner toward her. “T cannot possibly be angry with you. Florimel,” said Mrs. Brace, instantly recovering a gay expression of counte- Gomicdooks (E(©)