The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 219: what you’re looking at

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

CONTINUATION OF THE MYSTERIES = 197 a set of pearls, and various other articles, amounting alto- gether to more than a hundred guineas, for which Miss Bathurst’s apparently inexhaustible purse furnished the amount, and again was the receipt made out in the name of Miss Trelawney. From the jeweller’s the carriage pro- ceeded to Miss Bathurst’s attorney, she having, as she alleged, a few instructions to give that gentleman; but during her interview with him Venetia was left in the car- triage, and therefore she knew not what the nature of the business was. Nor, indeed, did she devote a thought to the circumstance, for the strange rapidity of the incidents through which she was being whirled, as in a dream of fairy- land, kept her brain in a state of pleasurable excitement and blissful bewilderment. From the lawyer’s the carriage proceeded to a fashionable mercer’s, and there large purchases were made. Morning and evening dresses, dresses likewise for walking and for the carriage, and every requisite of a fashionable lady’s toilet, were chosen in no niggard manner and paid for without hesitation, the receipt being still made out in the name of Miss Trelawney. Thence away to Long Acre, where dwelt an eminent carriage-builder, and here a beautiful barouche in the newest fashion, and of the lightest and most elegant style, was purchased. But as Miss Bathurst was no judge of horses, but could put the utmost confidence in the carriage-builder, who had received her patronage for years, he was empowered to procure a pair with the least possible delay, so that the equipage might be sent complete to Acacia Cottage in forty-eight hours. The acknowledgment for the amount paid on this occasion was, as heretofore, made out to the credit of Miss Trelawney. The greater portion of the day was thus occupied, and. when Miss Bathurst and Venetia returned to Stratton Street it was time to think of dinner. Our heroine was now introduced to two ladies who had come to stay with Miss Bathurst. One was Mrs. Arbuthnot, whom Miss Bathurst introduced to Venetia as her future companion, inasmuch as it would be imprudent and might provoke the tongue of scandal were she to dwell alone at her future residence of Acacia Cottage. The other lady was Mrs. Fitzherbert, formerly the mistress of the prince regent, but who had for many years altogether ceased even from seeing him. She (Cl) nn) GDoOo ESS { i nn