The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 120: what you’re looking at

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

“WAR MY8Th 28 Us * Testrain or conceal tho look of curiosity which they ung upon each other as they thus met. His Royal Highness beheld Alisa Trelawney for the frat tine— and he was dazz'ed ani amazed ‘by her exceeding loveliness, which transceuded even the vivid descrip- tions that had been given of it on tie occasion of the banquet at the Marquis of Leveson’s house. On the other hand, although Venetia had seen the Prince two or three times at a distance when he was riding in the park, she had never till now beheld him close enough to decide how far he resembied his published portraits. We cannot say that she was uot somewhat disappointed, for portraits are nearly always flatterers; but she had the tact to conceal the impression which the princely appearance thus made upon her. Having besought his Royal Highness to be seated, Miss Trelawney remained standing in pursuance of the established etiquette: bat the Prince, with that, | are off-hand politeness for which he was celebrated, observed with a smile that he could not think of taking a chair until she herself was seated. She accordingly placed herself upon the sofa, while the Regence took an arm-chair at a short distance. Tt would betelling an untruth, Miss Trelawney,” said His Roya) Highness, at once opening the con- versation, “and withholding a compliment which you s0 pre-eminently merit, were I to allege that it is not a sentiment of curiosity that has induced me to pay you the homage of a call. In plain terms, I had received such exciting accounts of your incomparable beauty, that I was most anxious to have the pleasure of forming the aequaintanee of the godess who graces the metropolis with her pre- sence.” “JI had already been assured that your Royal Highness was proficient in the ast of flattery,” replied Venetia, with a blush and a half-smile: “ but I did not anticipate the honour of a personal proof of that accomplishment.” “ Since you style it an accomplishment, Miss Trelawney,” returned the Prince, “ you cauaot of course be offended by the mode in which [ have addressed you. A goddess must consent to receive the adoration which her beauty inspires.” “* Women are such vain and frivoloas creatures,” rejoined Miss Trelawney,-~“ or at least they have the reputation of being so,—that were [ the first to whom your Royal Highness bad ever addressed such honied language, I night be iinmensely flattered by it. But inasmuch as Lam well aware that every beauty about the English court has been honoured with the same approval—perhaps, too, in precisdly the same words——" “ Miss Trelawney, you are too severe upon me,” interrupted the Prince. “1 aad that you possess a wit equal to your loveliness—— “And you, sir, a faculty of hesiping compliment mpon compliment,” responded Venetia, with a sinile _ that displayed her brilliant teeih. “In praising you, Miss Trelawney,” said the Prince, fixing upon her a look of deep insaning, “ I only gave an honest ‘expression tu my thouzhte, Yes —you are ao far right—I am indeed an admirer of female beauty, I worship—I adore it, But of all the charms that ever received praises from my lips, your's are indescribably beyond all parallel. We must have you at Court, Mias Trelawney; and if , you will permit me to beeome the means of present- ' jog you to the most distinguished ladies who rule ee enna Rail the world of fashion, t shall be detighted to have that bonour.” “¥ am st a loss to conceive how I could so sud. ° denly have won your Royal Highoess’s favour,” ob- served Venetia, her eyes sparkling with a triamph which it was imipoasible altogether to subdue: “ ‘Lt —a huinble, obscure individual.” “A lady invested with such peerless charms fy ' neither humble nor obscure,” sald the Frinos Regent, emphatically. “ And, moreover, if it wero’ nec to gild the name of Trelawnoy by the adventitious aid of a titie, havé I not the power t> do that also ” “Your Royal Highness is making me the object ; of an experiment,” said Venetian, with a ash upon’ her cheeks—but not a flush of auger: for a sub- dued joy shone in her beanteous eyes, and smiles, beamed upon her heavenly countenance. “ You: are endeavouring, sir, to aseertain the extent to which a woman’s credulity may reach, through the: medium of her vanity : and although I do not pro-' fess to be more strongly-minded than the gene- ralty of my sex, yet I have the sense to avoid ren- dering myself contemptible in your eyes.” “Upon my soul, you misinterpret my meantog— you do me wrong, Miss Trelawney !” exclaimed his Royal Highness. “I am serious—and what is, more, I am sincere in all I say: and if you will. permit me at once to consider myself upon a foot- ing of friendship with you, I shall be enabled to speak with less reserve,” “ I cannot forget, sir,” replied Venetia, “ that you are the representative of the Sovereign, and that Y, as a dutifal subject, am bound to listen deferen- tially to all that your Royel Highness may choose. to address to me. Bat I beseech you, sir, not to pay me so ill a compliment—after honouring me with so many flattering ones—as to suppose that: I am one of those vain, frivolous, silly creaturés . whose character {s taken as the general type of the’ sex.” “ It is precisely bocause I do regard you as pos~ sessing a superior mind, that I crave leave to give utterance to my thoughts without reserve or cir. cumlocution.” Grant me this permission, Misa Trelawney,” exclaimed the Prince, “and you will at once place me at my ease.” . “TI am of course prepared to listen to whatsoever you Royal Highness may have to say to me,” returned Venetia. * But shall I incur the chance of offending you?* inguired the Prince. “ Your own excellent notions of the courtesy due toa lady must surely render such a fear on’ your part, sir, quite unnecessary,” observed Miss Tre- lawney. “But suppose that I threw myself at' your feet, and declared that I loved you ?” said the Prince, eagerly and anxiously watching the effect of his words. “I should consider that you were carrying your present jocular humour to a foolish extreme,” an- swered Venetia, laughing. “But if it were really true, Miss Treiawney—if it were with positive sincerity that I could thus sink on my knees in your presence and offer you the homage of my heart,—what treatment might I anticipate at you hands ® demanded the Princo, with fervid tone and impassioned looks. “I kuow not how to respond to such stranze 2 es COCR’? @e "ae mao ws COMME OG