The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 59: what you’re looking at

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

owewewe @¢ 46 qureeGer aepa vant ushered Sir Douglas Hontingdon into the draw- ing-room. We have already stated that the baronet, who was about six or seven and twenty years of age, was na- turally good-looking, but that his appearance was rendered somewhat sickly by dissipation. He dressed with as much taste as elegance: his manners were prepossessing—and he was endewed with consider- able intellectual powers, if he chose to exert them. Venetia was standing when he entered the room ; and having requested him to be seated on a chair which she indicated with a graceful motion of the arm, she placed herself on a sofa at some little distance. ‘With one rapid glance she surveyed the baronet from head to foot—and the reflection which passed through her mind, was, “ He is exactly as he was described to me.” On the other hand, Sir Douglas Huntingdon swept his eyes over Venetia’s entiré form, embracing every beauty in that firat look: and the reflection which passed through Ais mind, was, « She is more exquisitely charming than I had even fancied from seeing her at a distance |” Be it remembered that Sir Dopglas Huntingdon was the gentleman who, at the Marquis of Leveson’ table a few days previoualy, had told the anecdote the blank cheque sent by acestain Duke to Venetia; and retumed to his Grace by the young lady without a syllahle,.of comment,—-which anecdote the diss, gated baronet.hed. narrated as,an argument in fa- rour of a presious ageertion that, he had made, to the effect that Miss Trelawney .was “as virtuous. as she was incomprehensible.” We only remind the reader ef these little cironmstances in order to, show the opinion that Sir Dongles Huntingdon eniectained of the yonng lady, of whom he was in rpality deepe- rately. enamoqured and in whose presenee. he had now fonnd means to intreduce himaelf. “You will pardon the liberty .which I heave: takan in thus enacting the cold,and formal part of 9 Jandlerd towards a tenant,” began the baronet, .with, a half amile: “.whessas the more fitting vocation .woul have been that of a. worshipper at the gbrine. Deauty-——” “ And if you, had to grant me,a, lease oF sign, 4 of sale with: regpect to Acadia Coftage,”. intaropted Venetia, with mingled archness and irony, “abould you insert compliments and flatteries in the docu- ment ?” “The only proper compliment in such a case,” turned the baronet, “ would be to make the document a deed of gift.” “ Well, if you intend to call at every.qna of. your newly-parghased homees and behave to each tenant in the same liberal manner,” observed Venetia, with the utenost.readiness of repartee, “I am afraid that your property will prove bat a bad bargain.” “ Bat if my proposal were a mere exception in your favour, Mies Trelawney ?’ “Qh! in that case I should refuse it, because could not think of exciting the envy of my neigh- bours.” “They need know nothing of the matter,” said the baronet, smiling. “A generous action should never be kept sec ret,” answered Venetia. “ But, jesting apart, Sir Douglas Huntingdon—we will proceed to business, if you please. You have purchased the estate on which this douse stands—and you are desirous to make im- ~mvements? Is it not sof ante ' THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. “Yt is, Miss Trelawney,” answered the baronet: “and I was anxious to consult your own views and tastes upon the subject——” “But I am neither skilled as an architect nor ip laying out gardens, Sir Douglas,” exclaimed Venetia. with a peculiar emile which expressed a good- tempered irony. “ You notwithstanding possees an exquisite taste,” observed the baronet, glancing round the well-far- nished drawing-room. “Qh! I will not rob my upholsterer of any of the credit which is wholly and solely due to himself,” said Venetia, with that cheerfulness of repartee which constituted so gentle and lady-like a rebuke for any compliments or flatteries that were paid her. « Are you determined, Misa Trelawney,” exclaimed the baronet, laughing, “ not to permit, me to consult you in this matter ?” “T ameo completely indifferent to it, Sir Dpuglas Huntingdon,” was the answer, “that it positively is nos worth while. So long as you do not build up the walls of my garden to the height of the house—or brick up the windows—or level the Cottage alto- gether——” “Well, Miss Trelawney,” cried the bargnet, still laughing gaily, “if you do not choose to regard my visit in a business-like of view, I can assure you that Iam all the more contented—indged, all the happier. I would much sooner enjoy the privilege of calling upon you as an acquaintance—in the hape that I might some day be regarded as a friend-———” * As for friendship, Sir Douglas Huntingdop,” in- terrupted Venetia, “I am afraid that its realities have long ago been absorbed in what may be termed the artificialities of fashionable life and worldly pur- suits.” “Oh! Miss Trelawney,” exclaimed her visitor, “you cannot possibly be sceptical with regard to the existence of a pure and disinterested friendship.” “ But it does not spring up as a matter af jast because two individuals come to a verbal pgree- ment upon the subject,” replied Venetia, jn,a tone of gentle sarcasm. “The earnest, sincere, and enthusiastic devgtion of one individual towards another, must inevitahly beget a recipropal feeling in the heart of the latter,” said the baronet. “My reading bas never taught me such a faith,” remarked! Miss Trelawney, affecting to comsider the enbject seriously for 9 few moments. “I will admit that my observation applied rather to love than to friendship,” rejained the baronet, aurvey- ing the beauteous preature with a look of tender sig- nificance. “Oh! what singular digressions our diagourse is taking,” cried Venetia, in atone of good-tempered raillery. “A landlord calls upon his tenagt for the avowed purpose of talking on houses and gardens— and he enlightens her mind with a homily. upon friendship and love.” * Because the fair tenant herself inspires the sub- ject,” returned the baronet : then, before Venetia had time to utter a single syllable in response, he aaid, “ Miss Trelawney, I wish to be candid with. you—will you pardon mie for the frankness that is about to cha- racterise my speech ?” “Ja it concerning the houses and the gardens ?” she inquired, with an admirable affectation of ingenuons- ness and naiveté. “Qh ! pray do not dwell any longer upon that horrid eget reper Ge TS I OL a PD SST Ea GORMGOOOKXS COMM ——_—_—_—_———