Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 269: what you’re looking at

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

252 THE COURT OF LONDON described; but, if possible, she was still handsomer, for the cold wind had so heightened the naturally healthy hues of her complexion that she seemed radiant with animation. Nevertheless, his Royal Highness could not restrain a move- ment of impatience when he observed that his friend Meagles had brought her thither again; but the volatile Tim, ha- stening forward, whispered in the prince’s- ear, “I know what you want to see me for, — and Lady Letitia can help you.’’ The countenance of George brightened up immediately; and, rising from his seat, he gave the Amazon a cordial welcome. Throwing aside her hat and riding-whip, and taking a chair, Lady Letitia Lade smoothed down her glossy black hair and arranged her luxuriant ringlets, exclaiming, “‘ This wind plays the very devil with one’s curls. I really think I shall have them cut off altogether.” ‘“ Tt were the veriest sacrilege perpetrated against nature’s shrine of loveliness that a vandal imagination could possibly conceive,’ observed the prince, smiling. ‘“Hoad! that’s the prettiest turned compliment I ever heard fall from your lips, my dear prince,” said Meagles; “but I perfectly agree with you in the opinion which it implies.” “Hold your tongue, Tim!” cried the Amazon, laughing so as to display thirty-two of the whitest teeth, which were all perfect as to number, and without a speck or blemish; so that no one could complain of the somewhat large mouth which thus revealed the brilliant array. ‘‘ With the per- mission of your Royal Highness, I shall help myself,” con- tinued Lady Letitia; ‘for, in spite of your cheerful fire, the flames of which go roaring up the chimney like a broken- winded horse pressed into a gallop, I still feel cold, and a class of your excellent Madeira will warm me.” “This is Liberty Hall, my dear huntress,” said the prince; ‘‘ and therefore I shall not even adopt the cere- monious courtesy of filling your glass for you.” “By Jove! she can fill it for herself — and empty it, too,” cried Tim Meagles, an observation which gained him a smart box on the ear from Lady Letitia. “Do you treat Sir John in that fashion? ”’ demanded the prince, laughing. EORMIE OOO KS (E(0)