The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 37: what you’re looking at

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

18 THE COURT OF LONDON deeply flushed by the influence of the narcotic; thence to the snowy neck that was slightly arched as if softly yielding to the weight of the drooping head, as the stalk of a tulip retains a gentle curve even when snapped from its root and lying upon the ground. And from that beauteous neck of such dazzling whiteness, the sensuous eyes of the prince wandered to the bosom, the rising and falling of which were so long and slow, as if measured, and likewise so little per- ceptible. But he devoured with his satyr looks as much of those round white globes as Pauline’s modest dress left revealed; and the undulations which the dress itself took from the rich contours of her bust enabled him to finish and complete in his imagination the fine proportions of those hills of snow. In sooth, the entire spectacle of that ex- quisitely modelled form, stretched with all the abandonment of its flowing length of limb upon the couch, was enough to overcome the scruples of a saint, much less excite almost to madness the furious desires of that royal voluptuary. For several minutes did he contemplate the lovely being whom he now fancied to be entirely in his power; for several minutes did he gloat over the glorious creature whom he looked upon as a sure and certain victim to his burning lusts. He stooped down, he was about to fasten his lips to that mouth which was so rich in its moist redness, he was on the point of sucking in the pure fragrance of the breath that came slowly and heavily when, hark! a sound is heard — the handle of the door is turning — that door which he had forgotten to fasten. But even while still bending over the sleeping beauty, he paused and listened, without absolutely raising himself to his wonted upright are for he fancied that his ears must have deceived him. Another moment, and the door opens, and footsteps are stealing in. He starts, he springs to an upright posture, he turns hastily around, and he beholds intruders of no welcome aspect entering the apartment. ‘Away with you!’ exclaimed the prince, advancing toward Carrotty Poll, the Gallows’ Widow, and the Kinchin- Grand. ‘‘ Depart this moment, or I will give the alarm that thieves are in the house.”’ ‘You don’t dare do it, Prince of Wales,’”’ said Carrotty Poll. ‘‘ If so, you’d only be exposing yourself.” “But who are you? And what do you require?’ de- Gomilcbooks (E(©)