The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 147: what you’re looking at

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

————————_—— 1s “ Saterday, September 21st, 1814 ‘“‘ My dear Leveson, “Yn offering you the vacant Garter, I am only recog- nising the many services which you have rendered to your country and to the King’s Government by your unvarying support of our blessed Constitution and those excellent institutions under which the British people are happy, prosperous, free, and contented. *‘ Accept, my dearest Leveson, the affectionate regards of your's, &o., “GEORGE, P. RB.” A little slip of paper, which was enclosed inside this letter, had fallen upon the carpet. Lord Leveson picked it up, and read as follows :— *You rogue, you thought to get the better of me with Venetia. Eut it served me right for forgetting to send you the special promise of the Garter. However, my dear friend, we will not entertain any ill-will towards each other: Venetia prefers me and has punished you—that is enough. By the bya, do you see by the papers that the rascally lower orders are getting more and more discontented every day, and are hoiéing meetings all over the country ? Some- thing meus{ and shail be done Besides, trade really seems horribly bad; and the country never was less presperous or happy. Our institutions positively seem as if they were worn out: but I sappose they will last my time Any news of the gossamer lady ?" “Well, I shall have the Garter after all!” ex- claimed Leveson, rubbing his hands gleefully. “ And now that I am on the track of the beauteous Mrs. Bradshaw, the Prince may keep his Venetia in weloome ” CHAPTER XXXIX. SATURDAY: OR, THE SIXTH SUITOR. Ie was three o'clock in the afternoon—and Venetia Trelawney was again seated alone in her drawing- room, evidently expecting & visitor. She was plainly but well dressed, in a style éal- culated to show off her beauty to its greatest ad- vantage, and at the same time to prove that she trusted to no adventitious aids for the embellish- ment of her charms. No ornament was upon her hair, which shone in its own natural glory with a splendoar that far outvied that of the brightest crown or gemmed tiara. Her low-bodied dress displayed her fine bust; and in her looks there was a gentle tremulousness mingled with a soft and stealing languor. Presently a loud double knook at the front door startled her, although it was expected; and the colour deepened upon her cheeks—and her bosom palpitated rapidiy—and she experienced some diffi- culty in regaining her self-possession by the time her staid and serious-looking domestic announced “Mr. Sackville.” “Well, Horace,” said Venetia, advancing to re- ceive him with the cordial welcome of previously existing acquaintanceship, or even of positive friendship: “and so you have availed yourself of gour turn to favour me with your presonce 2?” she added, with a smile that revealed her pearly teeth. “Qh! I claim the privilege of my day,” he cried gaily, as he pressed her hand: then taking a seat near her as she placed herself on the sofa, he ob- served, “This is my Saturday, you know — and thereture I have a right to pay you my homage at your own house. RKecollect tha: this is the first Gn ee eS ee ee fHE MYSTERIES OF THE COURE. time I have ever set foot within the walls of Aca- cia Cottage.” “And what do you think of my residence, Horace ?” inquired Venetia. “That it fally justifies the description already given me concerning it,” responded the young gen- tieman. “But tell me candidly—did you expect that I should call npon you to-day ?—and are you angry with me for doing so ¢t” “J did expect you, Horace—and I am soé an- gry,” returned Venetia, in a low and somewhat serious tone. “Bat of all the six suitors,” observed Sackville, gazing upon her earnestly and anxiously, “I am the only one who dares not plead his suit and talk to you of love {” “Do you wish to speak upon that topic, Horace?” inquired Miss Trelawney, with a slight agitation visible in her manner and a gentle tremulousness perceptible in her voice. “Who can know you—who can contemplate you—who can hear you, Venetia,” exclaimed Horace, rapturously and passionately, “without loving you?” “But you, Horace—yon, of all men, to address me in this style t” said Venetia, with a profound sigh: then instantaneously brightening up, she turned upon him her glowing looks, now full of an expres- sion of archness, exclaiming, “ You are only playing your part as one of my six suitors: but you are well aware of al} that has taken place——” “Of course I know all, Venetia,” interrupted Sackville, gazing upon her with a profound and mournful tenderness: ® and now I wish that it had been otherwise! But you have triumphed, Venetia —you have triumphed proudly and grandly—and the Prince of Wales may now kneel at your feet Yes—your charms have achieved all that was anti- cipated: and I have been an acceasory to the gain- - —_—_——_ i D> mie ———er Ee a coal — | —_ ee el ing of this triumph on your part. ButIam un- , happy, Venetia——” “And wherefore should you be unhappy, Horace?” asked Miss Trelawney, in a tone and with a look that encouraged him to proceed. “Do you wish me to tell you the real truth, | Venetia f” he inquired, his handsome eyes glitter- ing with suspense. ‘‘ Yes—if you please,” she responded, nervously : and the colour came and went upon her cheeks, as if she knew full well the revelation he was about to make. “Then hear the truth from my lips, Venetia,” he said: and gasing anxiously upon her as if to catch the first indication of the effect which his words were about to produce, whatever this effect might be, he exclaimed, * Beautiful creature, I love and adore you.” Although Miss Trelawney was fully prepared for this avowal), yet when it was made she trembled all over—the colour went and came in quick transitions upon her cheeks—and her bosom rose and fell. with heavings equally rapid. She endeavoured to mur- mur something: but the words died upon her lips— and a large tear, bright as a dew-drop and glistening as a gem, trickled adown each damask cheek. ‘‘Oh! you are not offended with me—you are not angry !"" exclaimed Horace, ina joyous tone. “[ was determined to come to you to-day and breathe in your ears the secret of my adoration — an ado- ration which is however perhaps no secret to you! COMME OG CO