The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 182: what you’re looking at

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

164 THE COURT OF LONDON grandeur of her beauty into the outstretched arms of her royal lover. “Oh, how magnificent you look!’’ murmured the enraptured prince, as he conducted her to a seat after fondly and fervidly embracing her; then, placing himself by her side, he contemplated her with the earnest looks of a devouring sensuousness. As the light shone upon the beauteous creature, enhancing the brilliancy of her charms into positive radiance, she seemed a being of celestial mould and nature. Her very presence was dazzling and overpowering; for every feature and contour appeared to possess its own light, — the lustre of the eyes, the alabaster of the forehead, the vivid redness of the lips, the snowy whiteness of the neck and bosom, and the auburn glory of the hair. She was dressed in a crimson velvet robe, with a low bodice fitting tight to her shape, and her arms were naked. The gentle agitation which she experienced had deepened the rich bloom upon her cheeks, and altogether she looked so transcendently lovely that the prince felt as if he could surrender not only his present rank but also the hope of some day wearing the British crown, rather than resign the certainty of possessing her this night. ‘“‘ Dearest — ever dear Venetia,” he said, passing one arm around her neck, and drawing her gently toward him, “ is it indeed possible that the happy moment has arrived for me to enjoy your love? —or am I plunged in a delicious dream which is to know the waking of disappointment? ”’ ‘“ Faithful to my promise, I am here,’’ murmured Venetia, in the melting tones of her sweet, limpid voice. ‘‘ Do you remember all the conditions of our compact? ” ‘You shall recapitulate them, my angel,’’ replied the prince; “‘ and there is nothing you can demand to which I shall hesitate to assent.” ‘“ First and foremost,” said Venetia, “‘ it was agreed that I should marry in order to save my reputation, and I have done so.”’ “ Ah! happy Horace Sackville! ’’ exclaimed the prince. “ But tell me, dearest, was he already engaged to you on that day when we agreed that you should marry? ” “‘ Assuredly not,’”’ answered Venetia. ‘‘ But I was aware that he formed one of the party of six who had leagued, or, COMNIELMOOOKS (G(O)