The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 244: what you’re looking at

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

cx -“(O7-“,— nT 230 descriptions and a choice dessert: a cheerful fire blazed in the grate;—the heavy hangings were drawn over the windows—-and the atmosphere was warm and perfumed. A lustre suspended to the ceiling diffused a rich and mellow light through the room; and the general aspect of luxurious comfort was enhanced by the velvet drapery which covered the doors—as if not even the faintest thrill of a wintry air should be allowed to penetrate thither ! We said that the Prince was yielding himself up to the pleasures of imagination, as a meet and pro- vocative prelude to the more real joys that were to come. For he had no doubt as to Venetia’s keep- ing her appointment, inasmuch as she had written him a note in the morning reiterating in her own beautiful calligraphy the hurried promise she had made on the evening of the banquet at Colonel Malpas’s house. As he thus reclined upon the sofa, confident in the sincerity of his expected charmer, the Prince insensibly found himself entering into a comparison between her beauty and that of every other lovely female who had submitted to his embraces. Their number was legion, it was true: but still ina rapid survey did he glance at them all—not forgetting Octavia Clarendon, Mrs. Fitzherbert, Lady Letitia Lade, Mrs. Brace the milliner, the Countess of Jersey, and the Duchess of Devonshire ;—and he came at length to the conclusion that none was to be compared with Venetia! Nor in this mental review of his almost countless conquests amongst beauties of all grades and ranks—from the Duchess to the milliner, from the Countess to the ballet- dancer, and from the haughtiest dame to the hum- blest servant-gir],—nor in this category, we say, did he forget to include Miss Bathurst, Agatha Owen, and Lady Ernestina Dysart. He remem- bered that the first-named had once been emi- nently beautiful: his mind still retained pleasurable impressions of his amour with Agatha:—but chiefly did his fancy gloat over the superb and vo- Juptuous charms of the impassioned Ernestina. Between this lady, then, and Venetia did he hover in a few moments’ uncertainty ; his memory com- paring their respective charms—the eyes, hair, complexion, and bust of Ernestina, with the eyes, hair, complexion, and bust of Venetia: but at length, as above stated, he gave his decision in favour of the latter. Yes—for about Venetia there was all the first freshness of youth—the bloom upon the peach that has scarcely come in contact with the rude hand of man! And now, as the image of the beauteous crea- ture had become paramount in his mind, to the exclusion of all the rest, he felt his impatience for her arrival augmenting every instant. He looked at his watch: it was ten minutes past nine—was she not coming? Yes: for scarcely had he asked himself the question, when the door opened from the landing without—the velvet drapery was pushed aside—and Venetia was ushered into his presence. The curtain fell again—-the domestic who had escorted her thither, closed the door behind her—and the Prince Regent sprang for- ward to clasp her in his arms. Venetia had made her appearance closely veiled and enveloped in an ample cloak, so as to avoid being recognised by the Prince’s servants: but she now hastily threw off her bonnet and veil—dropped ee oo —_—- THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. her cloak—and fell in all the 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 sensuous- ness. 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. overpowering: for every feature and contour ap- Her very presence was dazzling and | peared 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, witha low boddice 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 tran- scendently 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 round her neck, and drawing her gently towards 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, | 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 isnothing 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 re- putation—and I have done so.” “ Ah! happy Horace Sackville !” exclaimed the Prince. “ But tell me, dearest—was he already en- gaged to you on that day when we agreed that you should marry 2?” “ Assuredly not,” answered Venetia, “But I was aware that he formed one of the party of six who had leagued, or rather wagered in the love-cam- Rigid likewise knew that he had seen me often and was inspired with an affection for me—and I consequentiy felt certain that he would accept my hand in marriage.” “ But does he know—is he aware——” “That I am come hither this evening? Yes: before we were married I explained to him that she whom he took as his wife was pledged to become the mistress of the Prince.” “ Truly, he must be infatuated with you, my Ve- netia! But this is not wonderful—thou art the loveliest woman that ever trod upon the earth!” “Q flatterer!” cried Venetia, with playful re- monstranee. “But I have before told you how readily and fluently these compliments glide from your tongue,” “By heaven! they are truths when applied to thee!” exclaimed the Prince, first devouring her with his regards and then covering her face, shoulders, and bosom with frenetic kisses. “ But WEOmiGoools (Co)