The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 298: what you’re looking at

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

‘tually as her watch indicated, THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. of ill-subdued satisfaction at her abigail compli- mcnta. “ Lady Ernestina Dysart,” responded Jessica. * But though‘her bust is certainly very’ fine, it is not equal’to your ladyship’s. And now, if your ladyship would permit me to suggest that a fan has become an elegant appendage | to even & morn- ing costume ——” ; ‘ou “To be' sure!—a fashion just imported from France,” observed Venetia, as she negligently took the fan ‘which Jessica presented to hér. - ebm Bat’ we will not linger upon this' portion of our narrative. : Suffice it to say that it was ‘eleven o'clock by the time Lady Sackville had finished her toilette and partaken of breakfast: and punc- that, hour, was Sir Douglas Huntingdon ushered up into the boudoir. Now be it understood that Venetia was guilty of no indiscretion, according to the notions then pre- valent in the fashionable world, in thus receiving a male visitor in her private apartment.' It was then '@ common custom, borrowed from the French; and ‘| therefore’ Lady Sackville‘did not compromise “her self before her servants by thus granting an rare ence to the Baronet in that boudoir. - Receiving him'with the most winning and en- chanting’ affability,'she seated herself near the toilette-table and pointed toa chair close by; which hg immediately took. « ’ | a *“¥ am ‘punctual to the appointment with which ‘you have honoured—may Inot rather say Savcoured me!” he observed, gazing tenderly upon her: and this remark was’a further proof, if any additional one were wanting, that she had made a mistake in delivering the notes on the preceding evening. ‘* “My dear Douglas,” she said, for the first time addressing him thus familiarly, by his Christian name,—* there is nothing you can ask of me which I will not grant, provided you consent to'do me that great and essential service to aiauae ¥F alluded last night.” =‘ ' mats “Have'I not declared that’ von may command me ‘evén unto the very death?” exclaimed the |: Baronet, taking her hand and pressing it to his lips: “ Yes—yes: and I believe you,” she murmured: then suddenly assuming a serious look, ‘and speak- ing in a solemn tone, she’ said, “ My dear Douglas,’ Iam abont to confide‘to you'a’ secret’ which will prove how thoroughly I trast in your hotiour—how completely I throw inyself ‘upén your goodness— and how implicitly I confide in your digcretion. But the world says you sre Giddy —dlasipated— reckless ——” , " “By heaven! Venetia,” exclaimed the Baronet, whose countenance had -been rapidly lighting up with the most enthusiastic joy whilethe lady was speaking,—“think’you that I am ‘capable of allow-' ing any act‘of madness:‘or deed of. folly :on‘ my. part to entail injury upon you? « No—by the living , God! ~I could forswear’ -wine—pleasure—recrea- | thon —aye, even the most innocent amusement, if I read disapproval in a word or lobk‘of thine! Be- ' sides, a man must-be the basest‘of the base and the ‘vilest of the vile, whe would not do anything— even to the making’ of the' largest sacrifices—in order to merit the confidence of such a being as thou art!” - . ou - “ Thank ‘you—Oh ! thank you, Douglas, for these assurance’,” said Vehetia, ‘in that delicious voice ubich sank lew, deep, and melodious into the very 283, depths" of the soul.‘ “And now learn that where I ‘| give my’confidence I also bestow my love: and this , then, as well as that confidence I accord unto ee |” - “Oh! it is forme—it is for'me to express my thanks — my illimitable gratitude, . dearest, dearest Venetia!” exclaimed Sir Douglas Huntingdon, again seizing her hand and pressing rit to his lips: then as she bent towards him,’ her very look and attitude encouraged him to venture farther still ; and snatch- her in his arms,’ he covered her lips—her cheeks— and her forehead ‘with kisses. Gently disengaging - herself from. his embrace after lingering in it a few moments—sufficiently long ‘indeed to convince him that: she resented. not this liberty which he had taken, and ‘that: he might hope ‘in due time for the crowning favours of. her? love—. Venetia said, “I will now impart to thee that great sectet'which I have promised to reveal :”—then, after a brief pause, during which she reflected profoundly, she said, “Go and‘ unlock the ebon cabinet behind that'scteen; and bring me forth the Jewel. case which: you'will find therein” © =... .. ‘ Thus speaking,' she placed.a key in the Baronet’s hand; and be’at oncé proceetied: to: execute‘ her in-. stroctions, ’ The léck being low down.in the door of. the cabinet, he had to ‘atoop t even to his knees in order’ to introduce the key, the screen rendering that: nook: of the boudoir compatatively dark. “But at the very moment that he was thus kneeling down bebind the screen, the door of the boudoir was gently opened and the Earl of Curzon made his appearance. He had' performed all the details of his toilette cave with respect to putting on his cost,—ingfead of which: he wore an elegant dressing-gown «that chad been "placed i in‘ his chamber for his use.: Now, had: he entefed the boadoir:properly dressed,’ there ere,yguid not have been any impropricty. or cause, of suspicion in his visit: but the fact of thus introducing himself in.a'’dressing-gown was natarally indicatiyeof’a more “| than*ordinary familiarity =, between himself and‘ Venetia. - ge t Such‘ was the thought that inatnetgneouaty flashed to her mind as he made his appearance; and she at | once, with admitable self- possession, threw ber arm . over the screen’ with:what. to Curzon seemed,a mere, negligént! and uopremeditated : gesture, , but, with a, wave of her hand which:to Huntingdon behind ‘that: screen was'a ‘significant.intimation that, he must re-, main ‘ concéaled : there. : Keeping theréfore jin” his kneeling : atti{ude,} 80 as:to continue unseen, . the | Baronet gently.and noiselesaly kissed the tips of the | * | fingers that ‘thas hung over that bariier, which coa- cealed him ;—aad this little. tender: Pp g on his part was ‘meant to convey to Venetia not only an assurance that her hint was understood, but that it should’aleo be obeyed. .. | Atthe same moment—for indeed all ‘these little details in the embarrassing episode were the work of only an instanf—the Earl of Curson, hastened to throw himself at the feet of, Venetia, to whom he was about to ‘pour forth his gratitude for the hours. of loye he had: passed-in her-arms: but she sud-, denly checked the, flood of language ese even a_ syllable had .time to. escape his lips—for, tapping him good-naturedly with her fan, and bending upon him an areh look, she said, “ I know you ‘have come. to bid me ‘ good morning,’ ‘before you take your de- parture homeward; and you are now keeling at my feet in mock humility——” COUMIC NOG) SS CO