The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 353: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XXXII THE CAPTAIN’S VISIT It was between three and four in the afternoon of the same day, and the prince regent was seated alone at luncheon in one of the splendid apartments at Carlton House. His Royal Highness had been giving audience to Ministers and ambassadors during the early part of the day, and, much fatigued with the ceremonies, he was now refreshing him- self with some luxurious viands and racy wines; but from time to time he made a movement of impatience, mutter- ing half-aloud, ‘‘I wish to Heaven that Venetia were here! ”’ Having pushed away his plate, he threw himself back upon the sofa where he was seated, and as he continued to sip his wine, gave way to his reflections. “Venetia has certainly abandoned me altogether. She will not come back; her husband has left me and has gone to join her. She is therefore lost to me for ever. Ah, who shall supply her place? Ernestina, who in voluptuous beauty of person came nearest to Venetia, is no more, and amidst the whole bevy of fair ones in whose arms I have already revelled, or who are ready to bestow their favours upon me if I say but the word, there is not one that can compare with Venetia, no, not one.” The prince regent was in a melancholy mood, and he felt that the wine did not inspire him with spirits. He wished for a companion at that moment, to enliven him with hilarious conversation, and he was thinking for whom he should send, when the door opened and a domestic came to announce that Captain Tash solicited an audience. ‘‘ Ah! Tash is come back, then! ” muttered the prince to himself. ‘‘ I am glad of it; he is the very fellow to cheer me 327 (C(O) nn) GDoOOo <Si