The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 128: what you’re looking at

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

110 THE COURT OF LONDON as if there had subsisted between us the intimacy of several years, or as if we were cousins, or anything else of the kind you like? And yet this is but the third time I have ever spoken to you in my life: once in Hanover Square, — you know when, — the other night in the presence of the prince, and now.”’ “ But I am not at all offended at your manner,” said Venetia. ‘‘ Perhaps I rather encouraged it by my own when you first entered the room.” ‘You know that I am engaged to be married to Florence Eaton? ” said Malvern. ‘‘T have heard so,” replied Lady Sackville. ‘‘ But why do you thus start from one topic to another? ”’ ‘‘ Listen,’ continued Malvern, “ hear what I have to say. You have heard that I am going to marry Florence. Have you likewise been told that I love her very, very dearly, and that not for worlds would I wrong her or prove unfaithful to her in word or deed? ”’ ‘‘T honour you for these assurances,’ replied Venetia. ‘Rumour declares the Honourable Miss Eaton to be a most beautiful as well as amiable and excellent young lady, and I sincerely hope your marriage will be a happy one. But why have you turned the conversation upon this point? ”” “Loving Florence as I do,’ returned Malvern, “ and incapable of being faithless to her either in thought or deed, you might think it strange that I am sitting here addressing you in this familiar kind of style.” ‘And yet there is a sort of melancholy in your manner,” returned Venetia. ‘‘I know full well, yes, indeed, I am convinced, that all you have been saying has a grave mean- ing, and is the prelude to something yet unsaid. I have already told you that I am very far from being offended with this frankness of tone in which you address me, and solemnly do I assure you that, though I know so little of you in reality, I feel as if we were long-standing acquaintances and old friends. It is this that makes me experience an interest in you, and wish you so much happiness with your betrothed. Did I not ere now say that I spoke to you of my accomplishments just as if it were friend speaking to friend? ”’ ‘No, you said sister talking to brother,” interrupted Malvern. ‘‘ You see that I am getting more and more connicloooKks CO