The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 322: what you’re looking at

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

300 THE COURT OF LONDON before the fire and conversing upon some animated topic of politics. But as Venetia thus drew near, that topic, usually con- sidered to be so unwelcome to ladies, was instantly aban- doned; and the prince, fixing his eyes upon his beautiful mistress, said, ‘‘ Is your ladyship inclined to favour us with music, or are we to betake ourselves to cards? ” ‘‘T am somewhat indisposed this evening, sir,’’ answered Venetia, ‘‘ and cannot sing. Indeed, it is my intention to retire early; but if you will agree to amuse yourselves with cards, I am sure that Horace will himself make you a bowl of curacoa punch according to that receipt which you have all on former occasions pronounced to be so fine. I presume your Royal Highness does not wish us to stand on cere- mony?” added Venetia, with one of her most winning and fascinating smiles; ‘and no one beyond these walls need know that the lord steward of the regent’s household con- descends to manufacture punch.” There was a great deal of laughing and joking at this proposition so good-naturedly and humourously made, and we need hardly say that it was at once accepted. The prince, the marquis, the earl, and the baronet sat down to whist, and Lord Sackville retired into his dining-room to make the punch. Thither he was presently followed by Venetia, and as she assured herself that he had every ingre- dient he required, she observed, in a low tone and with a sudden pouting of her beautiful lips, ‘‘ After all, I am sorry that I proposed this very inebriating mixture.” ‘‘ And wherefore? ”’ asked her husband, astonished at the remark. ‘‘ Because,” she replied, with a downcast look and a glow upon her cheeks, “ as I just quitted the saloon, the prince made a sign which I could not but too well understand — ”’ ‘“‘ Ah! I know what you mean,” observed Sackville, biting his lip. “ The prince means to pass. the night with you.” But the blush almost immediately passed away from Venetia’s countenance, and the pang which shot through her husband’s heart was only momentary; for the delicacy of feeling which had conjured up the former and produced the latter was almost completely extinguished within their breasts so far as their connection as man and wife was concerned. (COMMIC OO) (E(0)