The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 245: what you’re looking at

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

a EE THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 281 | a you were recapitulating the terms of our compact ? Go on—and let us finish all details savouring of business, that we may devote ourselves wholly and solely to the enjoyments of love.” “It was agreed,” continued Venetia, “ that you were to find some office for my husband about your royal person, so that we might have a suite of apartments allotted to us at Carlton House.” “To-morrow Horace Sackville shall receive the appointment of Lord Steward of my household,” said the Prince. “The post has been vacant for these last ten days—and I cannot-more worthily fill it up than by the nomination of my charming Venetia’s husband.” * And the name whichI bear was also to be gilded with a peerage,” murmured Venetia, now displaying all her most winning seductiveness. “That condition shall likewise be kept, angel that thou art!” cried the Regent, straining her in his arms. Hast thou aught more to demand ?” “ Nothing,” responded Venetia, her countenance radiant with joy and triumph. * And thou art mine?” said the Prince: “tell me that thou art mine !” “ Yes—I am thine,’ she murmured, her voice suddenly sinking to a dying tone, as her head drooped upon his shoulder and she fell upon his breast. * * ok * 2K * * * * * * It was still dark, at an early hour in the morn- ing, when Venetia stole forth from the private door of Carlton Palace. She was enveloped in her ample cloak and the thick veil was drawn completely over her countenance, so that not even the most prying eye could discover the brilliant heroine of our tale through that deep disguise. Hurrying to the nearest hackney-coach stand, she entered a vehicle and ordered the driver to proceed towards Knightsbridge. When within a short distance of Acacia Cottage, she stopped the coach and descended, performing the rest of the way on foot. home and tapping gently with her hand at the front- door, it was opened by Horace: and passing in, she stole noiselessly up-stairs, followed by her husband, The moment they were together in their cham- ber, and Venetia had thrown aside her bonnet and cloak, she flung a rapid and anxious glance upon her husband, by the light of the candle which was burning upon the toilette-table. She saw that his countenance was very pale, but that he endeavoured to subdue the emotion whicn he felt: and throwing herself into his arms, she gave vent to a violent fit of weeping. “For heaven’s sake, tranquillise yourself, my dearest Venetia,” murmured Horace, in a soothing tone as he strained her to his breast. “These sobs will be overheard—the domestics will soon be about in the house, and they will catch the sounds of your grief.” “ But do you not now hate—loathe—and despise me?” asked Venetia, suddenly wiping her eyes and gazing anxiously up into his countenance. * Do you not hate—loathe—and despise me for having permitted this?” he inquired, with some degree of bitterness in his tone. “ But let us not enter again, and again, and again upon the dis- cussion of a subject on which we have already —_—— ee ee ee — -_— Immediately upon reaching her, talked so seriously and so often—and which indeed,” he added, “has now proceeded too far | to admit of recall !” | * Yes—but has it left no regret behind, Horace ?” asked Venetia. ‘In one sense, certainly!” he exclaimed. “ But the necessity which has ruled us, was almost as | inexorable as destiny itself. Indeed, it was our destiny—and therefore regret is useless. Rather let us look to the brightest side——” “Oh! yes—if you really have the heart to do so!” exclaimed Venetia, joyfully. Well, our ambition will be gratified—-our hopes will be realized—and this day’s Gazette will elevate you to rank and to honour.” “You are to be a Peeress, then, Venetia!’ said Horace, caressing her fondly. “ Yes—because you are to become a Peer,” she replied. “ And are we to remove to Carlton House ?” “Immediately. The post of Lord Steward is your's.” “Oh! now you will shine as the most brilliant star in the courtly sphere, my charming Venetia!” “And you will have an opportunity of shining also, my handsome Horace!” “These are indeed dazzling and brilliant pros- pects,” exclaimed the young man; “and I sup- pose it is mortal destiny that no ambition can be accomplished without the sacrifice of some of our best feelings.” “But if we do not lose our love for each other, Horace,” said Venetia, “may we not be happy— even though our happiness be purchased by my dishonour ?” “We will make ourselves happy,” observed the husband, emphatically: but still he sighed as he spoke these words, and the forcefulness of his ac- centuation was only assumed suddenly to drown that sigh. Venetia sighed also—for she was not so far | tainted with depravity, especially after this her Jirst fault, as to be otherwise than keenly sensible | | of the fact that it was now a polluted woman whom | her husband was clasping in his arms. They re- | tired to rest—for it was still too early to go down stairs: and Venetia was glad when the candle was | extinguished and she could conceal her coun- | | ee eee $e see £0 —— - - tenance from the eyes of Horace--for it was suffused with burning blushes. But they slept—and at a late hour they rose: and now the first feelings of embarrassment, con- fusion, and even grief had subsided. They began | to loolk their shame more boldly in the face—and the result was that they could soon look at each other also without blushing. The forbidden fruit | was plucked and eaten—they had quitted the para- | dise of nuptial purity—they now knew all their | moral nakedness, and speedily ceased to be ashamed. It appeared as if by a mutual but tacit | resolve they had suddenly determined to avoid the topic altogether: and they now looked forward to | the happiness that was to be derived from bril- | liancy of position, rather than from the sweet and unimpaired domesticity of the married state. | Mrs. Arbuthnot and Penelope were staying | with Miss Bathurst in Stratton Street: and thus | the newly-married pair had no one to observe the | changing condition of their minds. The servants were of course ignorant that Venetia had passed | eer —— ~ eonnicbooks.co