The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 45: what you’re looking at

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

MORE PEARLS FROM THE STRING 27 drove off to Carlton House, and on arriving there, Venetia at once repaired to the apartment where her husband was anxiously awaiting her presence. ‘There, Horace,” she said, tossing the bank-notes upon the table with an air so strange that it even resembled a state of mind bordering upon desperation, “ this is the sum you require. But understand me well, it is the last I shall be enabled to procure for you.” ‘““My dear Venetia, you are very angry with me, or else you are much annoyed and agitated?” said Horace, ap- proaching her with soothing looks and great kindness of manner. ; ‘““ No, let us not enter upon any discussion,”’ said Venetia, but still with an uneasy and almost wild look. ‘‘ Suffice it for you that I have procured the money which is to save you from exposure and ruin; but let me impress it upon your mind that if you involve yourself in any further dilemmas, it will be useless to apply to me for the means of extricating you therefrom.”’ “‘ Tell me, dear Venetia,” said Lord Sackville, seized with an irresistible feeling of curiosity, ‘‘ what is the source of this mysterious wealth of yours? I remember when first you assisted me with money, you led me to believe it emanated from the gifts received from the prince, but when I reflect upon the very large amounts for which I am indebted to your kindness, I am of course well aware that his Royal Highness has not the means of affording you such supplies. Besides, on this occasion, at all events, you have been some- where to procure the amount now so generously placed at my disposal,” for Venetia had not laid aside her bonnet and scarf ere rejoining her husband in the parlour where he had been waiting for her. | ‘“‘ Horace,”’ she said, in a low voice, and at the same time fixing upon him a reproachful look, ‘‘ if you have any com- punctious feelings as to the mode in which I may have obtained these large supplies with which at different times I have succoured you, surely you would be just if not generous enough to take the full measure of blame unto yourself for those extravagances, vicious pursuits, and inor- dinate follies which have compelled you thus to appeal to my resources? ”’ “Good God! what mean you, Venetia?” exclaimed (C(O) nn) GDoOo <Si nn