The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 186: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. him, he said in a low whisper to the Earl of Car- gon, “ Is that Miss Trelawney ” “ It is,” replied the nobleman. “Then I must be mistaken,” thought Valentine to himself: but resuming his seat in the pow and. bending his head forward, he gave way to the reflections that were now uppermost in his mind. The clergyman and clerk had in the meantime taken their places at the communion table; and the marriage ceremony commenced. Scarcely had it begun when two more individuals entered the church—one taking his place somewhat noisily in @ pow, and the other planting himself in the re- motest angle of the sacred edifice. The former was Captain Tash, whose nose seemed to indicate that his morning draught at the Green Dragon had been none of the weakest: the latter was his man Robin, who appeared quite astonished at finding himself inside a church —especially the most fashionable one of the West End. The ceremony was completed—and Venetia be- eame the wife of Horace Sackville. The happy pair received the congratulations of those who belonged to the bridal party; and Sir Douglas Huntingdon, advancing with a frank affability, re- quested permission to offer his congratulations likewise. As for the Earl of Curzon—he remained in the pew for a few moments longer: then sud- denly prompted by some thought, he followed the baronet towards the altar. Venetia had received the congratulations of Sir Douglas Huntingdon in the same spirit in which they were evidently offered: but the moment her eyes met the looks of the Earl of Curzon, a flush of displeasure appeared upon her counte- nance. “J congratulate you, Mrs. Sackville, upon this happy occasion,” he said, in a low tone and with accents that were full of a malignant irony : then, turning abruptly away, as Venetia drew herself up haughtily, he took Horace aside for an instant— muttering in his ear, “I congratulate you also upon your marriage with one who has abandoned her- self both to Leveson and the Prince—and on the same evening too !” He then turned away and walked out of the church, followed by Sir Dotglas Huntingdon. Sackville, who was ataggered for a moment, al- most instantaneously recovered himself; and giving his arm to his lovely bride, he led her to- wards the vestry, where the register was to be signed. This ceremony being completed, the party quitted the church. Two carriages were waiting at the door to con, vey the company to Miss Bathurst's residence in Stratton Street, where an elegant repast was pre- | they pared. Lady Wenlock, the Honourable George Macnamara, and Lieutenant Apsley of the Guards, who had been invited, were already there; and the usual healths were drunk. Dr. Copperas, in making a speech, observed that “it was assuredly tne happiest morning he had ever passed in all his life, with the one exception of the memorable and never-to-be-forgotten day on which he first had the honour of being introduced to that extraordi- nary man—the ornament of his: profession—Dr. Thurston.” The breakfast was over—a footman announced that the carriage was in readiness—and Sackville SL fave eeegeepeeres eee 173 handed his bride into the vehicle. The serious- looking old livery-servant and Jeasica were seated in the rumble behind: the trunks were packed upon the roof—and, all being in readiness, the postilion drove away at a rapid rate. The happy couple were bound for Brighton, where they intended to pass a few days. They spoke but little until the travelling-carriage was beyond the southern outskirts of London: but they sate with their hands united in each other's clasp, and exchanging fond looks. For Horace adored and worshipped the charming creature who had become his bride: and Venetia was not indifferent to the fervid attachment, the personal appearance, and the elegant manners of him who was now her husband. “Did not Curzon whisper something annoying in your ears, Horace?” inquired Venetia at length, a slight flush appearing upon her countenance. “Tell me what he said,” she urged, seeing that Sackville hesitated to reply. “He said that he was aware of your visit to Lord Leveson and also to the Prince on the same evening,” answered Horace. } “And so were you,” replied Venetia, laughing. “But you were also acquainted with the particu- lars of these interviews and the results of each.” “ I was nevertheless startled at the moment, my angel,” said Horace: “because I could not pes- sibly conceive how the Earl came to learn that you had paid those visits.” “He employed spies to follow me,” said Venetia, her musical laugh sounding deliciously upon her husband's ears, although he felt deeply indignant at the announcement which excited her gaiety. “<I discovered it all yesterday: his spies were even in the church ere now. But let us converse on other matters for the present: and I will tell you all about the spies on some future occasion.” “Be it so, dearest,” said Horace, as he gased with inexpressible devotion on the lovely creature who was now his own. Meantime, Valentine Malvern had returned to his own house at No. 20, Hanover Square, his mind filled with the image of Venetia: and he even reproached himself frequently during the re- mainder of the day, for allowing the incidents of the morning to divert his thoughts at all from the painful topic on which they were hitherto wont to . be settled—namely, the unaccounted-for disap- pearance of his father, Sir Archibald. With regard to the happy couple, we might re- cord all the tender and interesting things which they said to each other during the ride to Brighton, —we might say how they reached that fashionable watering-place at a late hour in the evening,—how took up their quarters at the principal hotel, —and how they both longed, with a secret rapture which they mutually concealed, for the arrival of the moment that was to crown their wedded bliss. But we must not dwell upon those details, nor pro- long unnecessarily this portion of our narrative. If, however, we may penetrate for a single instant into the nuptial chamber, where Jessica hastily di- vested her mistress of her apparel, we might ob- serve that never, never had Venetia appeared more transcendently lovely than when, with blush- ing cheeks and heaving bosom, she heard her faithful attendant expatiate upon the handsome appearance of the bridegroom. We might add _ ClooOokKkS. CORT COMM