The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 229: what you’re looking at

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

LORD AND LADY SACKVILLE 211: husband, when the door suddenly opened, and the prince regent burst somewhat unceremoniously into the room. ‘““My dear Horace, my dear Venetia,” he said, tapping the former familiarly upon the back, but at once flinging his arm around the waist of the latter, ‘‘ I thought I should have been kept up by the Ministers till two or three o’clock - this morning. Fortunately, however, I have got rid of them, and now I am my own master once again.” Thus speaking, he gave a significant nod to Lord Sack- - ville, who was compelled to obey it by at once leaving the room. But as he turned away to seek the door, the colour came and went upon his cheeks in such rapid transitions, and he bit his ashy lip so violently, that the poignancy of his emotions may be better conceived than described. Venetia remained in the gorgeous saloon with the prince, - while her husband, not only baffled in the anticipation of enjoying the company of his own wife that night, but also compelled to sneak like a vile cur away, retired to his solitary chamber. There he was compelled to gloat upon his titles and his honours, in order to soothe the sense of shame and degradation that rankled so bitterly in his mind. Whatever annoyance Venetia might have felt at being thus forced to yield to the whims and minister to the fan- tasies of his Royal Highness, she nevertheless most artfully — and successfully veiled her emotions beneath a smiling - t P aspect. ‘““Do you know, my angel,” said the prince, who had evidently been drinking with tolerable freedom, and whose vinous breath was most sickly and nauseating to Venetia as he bestowed hot kisses upon her countenance, ‘‘ do you know,” he said, ‘‘ that those cursed Ministers, by coming so suddenly and so unseasonably to pester me on state affairs, deprived me of a little pastime which certain young — ladies had contemplated for my diversion? However, it is not yet too late,’”’ he exclaimed, starting to his feet, ‘and if you choose, you shall be a spectatress, though an unseen one, of the amusement.” “Of what nature is this pastime?” inquired Venetia, eagerly catching at anything that seemed calculated to . release her from the loathsome caresses which the prince : was now lavishing upon her. “Come and see,” he replied; and giving her his arm, | CONMUCG 0)(0)©) SS (SO