The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 222: what you’re looking at

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208 On the preyious day I chanced to call upon Lady Wenlock at Kew; andin the course of conversa- tion her ladyship mentioned that the most cele- brated beauty of the day, Miss Venetia Trelawney (as her name then was, previously to her marriage), was to be at the horticultural féte announced by her ladyship for the ensuing evening. Having al- ready received an invitation, I resolved to be there. On the Wednesday morning I met Mr. Sackville by accident, and told him I should be at the fete, in order to avail myself thereof to procure an in- troduction to Miss Trelawney. Mr. Sackville must remember the circumstance.” “Perfectly,” said Horace, in a cold but un- trembling voice. “J did repair to that festival,” continued the Colonel: “and I obtained the wished-for intro- duction to Miss Trelawney, as she then was. I need not enter into particulars: suffice it to say that we walked together in a secluded avenue, allowing the ladies who accompanied her—Mrs, and Miss Arbuthnot, I believe—to proceed a con- siderable distance a-head. My suit, which I pleaded passionately, was successful: and Miss Trelawney gave me an appointment for the en- suing Friday evening, at a place which I named.” “Friday evening!’ ejaculated the Marquis of Leveson, exchanging a rapid but meaning glance with the Prince of Wales. “Yes—the Friday evening,’ returned Malpas: “and consequently before Mr. Sackville’s marriage with the lady, which marriage took place on the ensuing Wednesday. One more word will suffice: Miss Trelawney mct me on the Friday evening al- luded to at the house of Mrs, Gale in Soho Square——” * At what o'clock?’ inquired the Marquis of Leveson. “At nine o’clock,” responded Malpas. * And how long did she remain with you at Mrs. Gale’s ?” asked Lord Leveson, with another rapid, but now astonished look at the Prince Regent. ‘Let us have all the circumstances stated in detail and accurately recorded,” he observed, making notes in his pocket-book. “Miss Trelawney remained with me at Mrs, Gale’s from nine until past eleven on that Friday evening,” returned Colonel Malpas. “But the proof of this?” said the Marquis, in- quiringly. “ Here is Mrs. Gale’s own certificate of the fact,” answered the Colonel, tossing a folded paper towards the Marquis. “I have no more to say :” —and he resumed his seat. The Marquis of Leveson opened the paper; and the astonishment he already felt, was enhanced when he recognised Mrs. Gale’s handwriting, which was perfectly familiar to him. He had ex- pected to find the document a forgery: but there was no doubt it was genuine, although the circum- stances detailed in it might not be true for all that. “Yes—this is Mrs. Gale’s handwriting,” he said: “T know and can attest it.” He then read the paper, which set forth that Colonel Malpas and Miss Venetia Trelawney (now Mrs. Sackville) had passed two hours to- gether at her establishment, between nine and eleven o'clock, on the night of Friday, September 20th, 1814, Malpas now felt assured that his triumph was a THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. complete: for Horace Sackville still remained silent and motionless, with the fever spots burning upon his cheeks and his lips quivering. The Marquis and the Prince once more ex- changed looks of ineffable astonishment, as if uncertain what course to pursue, and yet having it in their power to make some startling revela- tions: while the Earl of Curzon whispered hurriedly to Sir Douglas Huntingdon, “ You see how that rascal Tash deceived us both !” But all on a sudden, the door was thrown open with such violence that the screen was nearly upset;—and Venetia herself, followed by Captain Tash, entered the room. Robin was not however with them: he had been hastily despatched on some errand, the nature of which will speedily transpire. Nothing could exceed the grandeur of Venetia’s beauty at this moment. Her splendid form was drawn up to the full of its noble height—and, as her carriage now seemed statuesque as that of a sculp- tured Juno, by her shoulders being thrown back and her head being held erect, her superb bust displayed itsample deveiopment to the fullest advantage. Up- heaved in its luxuriant proportions, it seemed ready to burst through the drapery that outlined its swell- ing contours: while the glowing cheeks, flashing eyes, dilating nostrils, and lips apart, threw the spell ofan almost Olympian majesty upon he. transcend- ing charms. Every one present, save Sackville, started from his seat as the beauteous lady and her formidable~- looking companion made their appearance: while Ho- race himself rose gently and leisurely, his features now illumined with the radiance of approaching triumph. As for Colonel Malpas, guilt and cowardice were as legibly depicted upon his ashy cheeks and in his affrighted looks, as ever the words themselves were printed on the page of a volume, “Your Royal Highness—my lords—gentlemen,” said Venetia, in a tone which, though firm, was filled with all the flute-like harmony of her soul-seeking voice,—“ you have listened to the tale of accusation: now do me the justice to hear the defence.” “ Most assuredly!” exclaimed the Prince Regent, “My lord,’ he added, turning towards Leveson, “ whatever disappointment you may have experienced relative to this lady, justice must be done her. You are the chairman of the meeting—and I know you will do your duty.” “ Beyond all doubt,” said the Marquis, who was so dazzled and overpowered by the enchanting loveli- ness and Juno-like majesty of Venetia’s appearance, that he forgot all the resentment excited by the scene which had occurred at his own house—he no longer remembered the incidents of the treacherous chair— but he felt suddenly inclined to do anything or every- thing on behalf of that woman of superhuman charms. “Let us all be seated,” he exclaimed. “Horace, hand your wife a chair—and Captain Tash——” But the gallant officer had already dropped into a seat and was stretching forth his hand to grasp the nearest decanter, before the Marquis had time to utter another syllable. The Captain likewise drew towards him three or four dishes of cakes and fruits: and as he began to eat and drink with as much cool- ness and absence of restraint as if the house were his own, he said, “ Go on, my lord: I can always hear best when profitably employed.” ee — eee eee (OAK OOOKS c