The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 218: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 05 “Well! this is excellent!* remarked Curzon. “And they informed you that Venetia went to House and Carlton Palace on the same night t” “ Precisely so,” returned the baronet. “ But they also gave me a version of Malpas’s interview with Venetia in Lady Wenlock’s grounds at Kew, which does not very well tally with his boasted triamph over her.” ‘And they gave mea similarly puszgling account of that interview,” rejoined Curzon. “In fact, it is this that has so much perplexed me. Ido not know what to think. Either Tash or Malpas must lie most tremendoualy.” “The affair is curiously involved,” observed Sir Dougias Huntingdon; “and its details are intricate to a degree. Malpas never would be fool and scoun- dre} enough——’ ‘T have no very exalted opinion of him,” said the Earl: “and you must remember there are six thousand guineas at stake Leveson is treasurer : and we will not allow him to part with the money | priso unless Malpas can give us the most positive and undeniable proofs that he really succeeded in being the first to win the favours of Venetia. What induces me to fancy that he might bave done a0, is that Venetia evidently abandoned herself to Leveson and the Prince—on the same evening too: and therefore she is thoroughly depraved.” “ But why should she have rejected you and me?” asked the baronet. “ At all events, if money be her object, you could have given her as much as Mal- pas: and if good looks be concerned, I may add, without flattery, that you ought to have stood a better chance than he.” At this moment the door was thrown open; and the domestic announced his Royal Highness the Prince Regent. Malpas, instantaneously quitting Lord Leveson, | tage advanoed to meet the Prince, who shook hands with him as cordially as ever, despite the angry declara- tion which he had made to Venetia, the night of her visit to Carlton Palace, to the effect that the Colonel was a aneaking scoundrel and would do well never to show himself in his royal presence again. Thus was it, however, that the royal presence was now vouchsafed at the Colonel’s dwelling, notwithstand- ing the menace alluded to. After exchanging a few words with Malpas on ordinary topics, and without the slightest mention of Venetia’s name, the Prince Regent suddenly turned towards Leveson, saying, “By the bye, my dear Marquis, I have a few words to whisper in your ear, —on a political matter: and I hope Malpas will excuse my rudeness in taking you aside.” ‘*'Your Royal Highness is the master here as elsewhere,” said the Colonel: and, caressing his moustache, he proceeded to join the Earl of Curzon and Sir Douglas Huntingdon. The Prince took Leveson’s arm and lounged with him towards the end of the room: then, in a low tone, ie said, “ What the devil is the meaning of all this “J cannot uncerstand it,” responded the Marquis. “It seems tolerably clear that Malpas has achieved atriumph: and I believe it, because when Venetia came to my house she told me that the Colenel had made her acquainted with all the particulars of the love-campaign.” “She told me precisely the same thing,” ob- served the Prince: “but she spoke of Malpas at the time in terms of contempt and disgust.” “That may have been an artifice,” said Lord Leveson. “Malpas assures me he shall produce the most undeniable evidence of his success: but | what the evidence is he would not explain at pre- sent. Venetia must be as deceptive and designing as she is beautiful.” “ Treally begin to think so,” observed the Prince. “It was my intention to cut Malpas for ever: but | when I received his note of invitation to this | banquet, and understood the meaning it implied, | I was positively astounded. I therefore resolved to suspend my opinion altogether until the events of this evening should have transpired. But I am seriously afraid that Sackville has made a great fool of himself, and is inveigied into a match with | an unprincipled adventureas—most probably head | and ears in debt, and only anxious to get a hus- | band in order to throw the burthen of her liabilities | wpon his shoulders and thus save herself from | n.” “It looks uncommonly like it,” observed the ' Marquis. “By the bye, any news of the gossamer lady?” asked the Prince with a smile. | “None, sir,” responded the nobleman, his looks | becoming clouded all in a moment: but instanta- | neously recovering his composure, he said, “ Does | your Royal Highness know whether Mr. and Mrs. | Sackville have returned to town ”” " “JT donot,” answered the Prince. “But perhaps | Malpas can tell us :”—then advancing towards the | centre of the room, he said, “Colonel, do you know whether the Sackvilles have returned from Brighton * | “They came back last night, sir,” exclaimed the Earl of Curzon; “and proceeded to Acacia Cot- » “You had that information from our friend Tash,” whispered the baronet hurriedly. “He sent Robin to me late last night with the same intelligence.” “Do you think Sackville will join our party?” inguired the Prince. “J have received 20 answer to my iovitation,” said the Colonel. “For my part. I do not think he will make his appearance,” observed the Earl of Curzon. “ Nor I,” added Sir Douglas Huntingdon. “He must be heartily ashamed of himself, no doubt.” “ And would not like to face us—eh?” said the Marquis of Leveson. “He fears, perhaps, a terrible bantering,” ob- served the Prince Regent. «It is now half-past six,” said the Colonel, con- |, sulting his watch: “and that is the time named in the note of invitation. Shall I order dinner to be served up ?” But ere the Prince, to whom the question was put, had time to answer, the door was again thrown open—and the servant announced Mr. Horace Sackville. CHAPTER LVIIL THE BANQUET. Venetia’s husband advanced into the room mm the easy assurance and calm self-possession of i GOnMGoOO ae SS CO