The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 56: what you’re looking at

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

38 THE COURT OF LONDON her eyes flashing fire as she started from her seat. ‘“‘ How dare you force your way into my presence for such a purpose as this? ”’ ‘Because might makes right,’ answered Mrs. Gale, with an impudent leer, all the benevolence of her manner having become changed into a coarse, brutal, dogged air. ‘Might against right!’ ejaculated Venetia, scornfully. “What mean you?” — ‘““T mean that your ladyship is completely in my power,”’ returned Mrs. Gale. ‘‘ Come, now, those eyes of yours are very handsome, but none the more so for flashing fire, and as I am very tough, I am not going to be singed by their looks. Two thousand pounds I want, and two thousand pounds I mean to have from you.”’ ‘“ And what if I refuse? ”’ said Venetia, her cheeks becom- ing pale with rage and her lips white and quivering. ‘But you don’t dare refuse. One word from my lips would blast your reputation for ever.” “Tis false, vile hag!’ exclaimed Lady Sackville. ‘I was pure, I was virtuous — ”’ ‘Ay, but who would believe it?’ cried Mrs. Gale, jeer- ingly. ‘‘ Not a soul in the universe. Besides, whether or not — ” “This is a detestable proceeding on your part,’ inter- rupted Venetia, a prey to mingled terror and rage. “It may be so, but I am not the less determined. You are rolling in riches, and never as yet have you given one single sixpence to the person who may be said to have been the very one that introduced you to this brilliant career, — I mean myself.’ ‘““T dare say you received your reward from others? ”’ ‘observed Venetia, evidently irresolute how to act. “That has nothing to do with it,’’ at once retorted Mrs. Gale. ‘“‘ The trifle I received at the time was a beggarly pittance indeed, compared with the service I have rendered you. Why, if you had any gratitude in your nature you would have made me a present the very moment you were installed in that beautiful place down at Knightsbridge. But if you didn’t then, you surely ought to have thought of me when made a peeress and brought here to live in a palace.” . “Well,” observed Venetia, thinking it prudent to adopt Commicloooks (CO)