The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 78: what you’re looking at

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

. THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. TS ne sMowed the servants to be idle: but atill she managed them without much scolding—and, what is more remarkable stil), without making them her enemies. She drank a glass of wine with evident satisfaction—and did not object to a leelle drop of warm brandy-and-water in the evening. Like all persons in her dependant condition, she was in- olined (o be over-complimentary, and to forget that she had a right to entertain an opinion of her own: and this constant habit of sacrificing, veiling, or forcing her feelings, naturally rendered her an adept in all the little arts of duplicity, deceit, and hypo- criay. Whether she was utterly and completely false,—or whether this ductile and pliant disposi- tion on her part was only a very venial weakness, without apy sinister intention,—could not poasibly de ascertained on a short acquaintance. But though Venetia’s knowledge of her was limited to athe experience of a few weeks, the young lady ap- peared to place fall and implicit confidence in her errs he eorapanion. i \ Living an Miss Trelewncy was,—her own mis¢ tress, youug and handsome, reputed to be well off, and unmarried,—she could not have dispensed with some person in Mrs. Arbuthnot’s capacity. Having no relatives residing with her, the con.>a- nionship of an elderly, respectable, matron-like female was absolutely necessary, on the scdre of propriety and protection. Thus was it that Mra, Arbuthnot accompanied Venetia in the carriage and to the theatre—sate down to table with her— occupied the next bed-chamber at Acacia Cottage —and superintended all the domestic arrange- ments of the household. For these duties «.d services, she received a salary at the rate of sixty guineas a-year, in addition to board, lodging, ana all kinds of perquisites. But to returo te the thread of our narrativy. Venetia’s toi'ette was completed: and she looked radiantly handsome—overpowerlngly lovely. Mrs. and Mies Arbuthnot were also dressed in evening costume: and, the carriage being announced a8 v oar \ 7 \ a | F » ' = 5 € c ‘ es e a | comliclbooks.com