The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 140: what you’re looking at

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

126 THE MYSTZRIES OF THE COURT. SSS. ———————————————— aD into a beatific confusion! But tell me, darling Venetia—tell me what has happened.” “T was faithful to the appointment, sir,” replied the lady; “and a carriage was in waiting. It bore me to the mansion of the Marquis of Leveson if “ Maledictions upon him !” ejaculated the Prince, stamping his foot with rage. “Because I forgot to send him a written promise relative to the trumpery Garter——But proceed, dearest—pro- ceed.” “Oh! the Marquis was so far justified in his proceedings, at least towards your Royal High- ness,” exclaimed Venetia, with a good-humoured archness, “inasmuch as Friday is his day———” “What! is it possible?” cried the Prince, start- ing as if electrified. “The particulars of the compact——” “Are all known to me!” added Miss Trelawney, with a deepening archness of look that rendered her enchantingly wicked. “ But how?” demanded the Prince, overwhelmed with mingled perplexity and confusion. “ Did the Marquis himsel vy | “No, sir,” interrupted Venetia: “his lordship was as much astonished as you are when I con- vinced him that the entire particulars of the com- pact made at his house last week, are known to me.” “Then who is the traitor?” inquired the Prince, eagerly. — “Colonel Malpas,” was the immediate response. “The sneaking—despicable—erovelling scoun- drel!” ejaculated his Royal Highness. “If ever he ventures to appear in my presence again, I will order him to leave it—the treacherous villain !” “He hoped to ingratiate himself into my favour by telling me everything,” continued Venetia. “But I treated him with the contempt he de- served.” “J am glad of it!” exclaimed the Prince. * Henceforth he shall find in me a bitter, unrelent- ing enemy. But enough of such a miscreant! Tell me what took place between yourself, my Venetia, and the Marquis of Leveson.” “J treated him also as he deserved,” responded Miss Trelawney, her countenance glowing with the irradiation of triumph as she thought of the dis- comfiture of the wretched nobleman whom she had left to an ignominious exposure in the eyes of his valet. “ Your Royal Highness need not be angry with the wretched old man when you meet again: I can assure you he is punished enough.” “But how?—tell me how?” exciaimed the Re- gent, his curiosity tensely excited. “J left him secure and safe in the trap which has doubtless caught so many who have become his victims,” replied Venetia, significantly: and she fixed her gaze upon the Prince to see if he caught her meaning. “ What? in one of his mechanical chairs ?” im- mediately cried his Royal Highness, a suspicion of the truth flashing to his mind: for he was no stranger to the mysteries of the Marquis of Leve- son’s mansion. “J see that you understand me, sir,” replied Venetia: then, in a few words, she explained the particulars of her adventure with the Marquis. “This is excellent—capital!” exclaimed the Prince, laughing heartily. “ You are indeed right when you say that Leveson has been adequately punished. He has encountered a woman of inge- nuity and spirit; and his mortification must be immense. But now that all our explanations are over, Venetia re “Y must take my departure,” said the lady, rising. “It is eleven o’clock—and I dare not remain away any longer. Remember, sir, I stipu- lated that my reputation was to be preserved as much as possible—and at all events until after the marriage which I propose to contract without delay ——” “Ah! cruel Venetiaf” exclaimed the Prince: “you tantalize me with your presence—you drive me mad by permitting partial caresses——” “Remember, sir, it is not my fault that I was not here long ago,” said Venetia. “If you really love me—if you have any regard for my happiness —you will permit me to depart at once. Indeed, the vehicle that brought me hither is waiting” “But when shall we meet again, my angel?” inquired the Prince, taking her hand and pressing it between both his own. “TY will write to you—if your Royal Highness will grant me the permission?” said Venetia. “Permission!” he echoed. “Write to me as often as you please—the oftener the better :—and the sooner also in the first instance, the more agreeable will it be. Ah! Venetia! keep me not long in suspense——” “Twill write soon,” she observed. farewell for the present.” “Farewell, my angel—my beauty—my darling!” exclaimed the Regent, catching her fn his arms and fastening his lips to her’s. She returned the kiss which he imprinted upon her moist red mouth: then, disengaging herself with some difficulty from the fervid embrace in which he so passionately enfolded her, she threw on her bonnet and cloak, drew down the thick veil, and took her departure. “ And now CHAPTER XXXVIL RETRIBUTION. it was midnight; and the moon was riding high in the heavens as a hackney-coach stopped in a shady lane branching off from the main road at Blackheath. A lady and gentleman alighted: and the latter, having bade the driver wait for them, gave the former his arm and hurried her down the narrow thoroughfare towards a house which stood at a distance of about a quarter of a mile from where the vehicle had stopped. Not a word was spoken by either the gentleman or his companion as they thus proceeded at a rapid pace. The former was past the prime of life—tall and stoutly built—of genteel appearance —and well dressed. The lady was considerably younger—very beautiful—and enveloped in an ample cloak. She trembled from head to foot—yes, trembled as the aspen leaf, with a quivering that influenced her entire frame. But it assuredly was not with cold—for the night was serene and calm—one of those beautiful September nights which lose not the warmth of the autumnal day: and moreover, she was well wrapped up in that thick and capa- cious mantle. Nevertheless she trembled—but it was with the chill shuddering that takes its rise Soa Reine eee te SS NN aS ———— a Gomilchboo S