The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 83: what you’re looking at

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

66 THE COURT OF LONDON supposing that you should be in the way to become a mother, it is much better to make up one’s mind to lead a life of pleasure and galety, especially as we cannot hope to make very excellent marriages; for our reputation has been assuredly damaged by our intimacy with the princes.” ‘““ And therefore,” added the eldest sister, with the coolness of settled depravity. “if we have the character of being no better than we should be, let us also have the enjoyment.” ‘“Upon that point, Agatha,” observed Emma, ‘ you and I have already agreed; otherwise we should not be dis- coursing so confidentially, so unreservedly, and so frankly as we are doing now. But to return to the handsome Jocelyn, what opportunity do you require, and how ean I succour you? ”’ ‘“ Contrive to get Mrs. Ranger and Julia to accompany you shopping this afternoon, if possible,’ replied Agatha; “ and I will remain indoors with Jocelyn. He will not offer to escort you if you expressly say you are going out shopping.” ‘Leave it to me,’ said Emma. “I suppose that after breakfast we shall all sally forth in company to see the lions; then we shall return to luncheon.” ‘And afterward I shall feel too tired to go out again before dinner,’”’ observed Agatha. “ As for Mrs. Ranger, I am very certain that instead of standing in the way of an intrigue, she would wink at it, — especially if a few guineas were slipped into her hands. Oh, I have fathomed that woman’s character far more deeply than our mother has done.”’ “But mamma is very credulous in some things,” ob- served Emma, “ although so very astute and cunning in others. The idea of throwing us constantly in the way of the princes, and expecting that we should pass with impunity through the flery furnace.”’ ‘“It was most preposterous,’ here is Julia.” ‘What! not dressed yet? ”’ cried this young lady, as she entered the room. “I have been up for the last hour, and should have come to chat with you if that dreadful old creature, Mrs. Ranger, had not kept me to help her put her- self together. I never knew such a painted sepulchre as she is, — such a made-up specimen of scl{-modernized antiquity. But, by the bye, I have not until now had an opportunity ) exclaimed Agatha. “ But Gomichbooks (Eo)