The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 127: what you’re looking at

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110 THE COURT OF LONDON repeat what we proclaimed ere now, that we had neither of us any reason to imitate the presumptuous assertions of Colonel Malpas.’’ ‘My lord,’ said Venetia, her voice now sounding tremu- lously for the first time since she had entered the room, ‘““ T have every reason to thank you for the noble candour and impartiality with which you have conducted these proceed- ings.’ Then, her countenance suddenly lighting up with the irradiation of good-humoured archness, she observed, as she rose from her seat, ‘‘ Permit me to express a hope that the next time you agree to lay wagers relative to the result of a love-campaign, you will take care whom you admit into the compact and trust with the secret. Other- wise you may chance to be dishonoured by the companion- ship of another Colonel Malpas.” Having thus spoken with a charming air of good-natured remonstrance, she bowed and moved toward the door. The Prince of We es instantaneously sprang forward to open it for her; and as Venetia passed him, he whispered, tenderly, ‘‘ Does our compact hold good, my angel?” ‘Tt does,” she replied, in her softest tone. “ Next Monday evening, nine o’clock, Carlton House.” And darting upon him a look of profound meaning, she issued from the room. The prince, scarcely able to conceal the joy inspired by this response, returned to his seat; and as the screen had hidden Venetia and himself from the view of the assembled guests during that hurried interchange of whispers, the circumstance passed unnoticed. “ We have now,” said the Marquis of Leveson, ‘ but one more matter of business to dispose of, and that is to decide who has won the sweepstakes of six thousand guineas. I think there cannot be a doubt upon the subject; and with your concurrence, my friends, I shall hand over the amount to Mr. Horace Sackville.” This proposal was agreed to, and the bank-notes, to- cether with the purse of sovereigns, were passed around the table to Venetia’s husband. Horace consigned the notes to his pocket, saying, “ | thank you all for helping me to a wife and a fortune. As for this purse, I must beg Captain Tash to accept bag “Tt ig in the nature of gifts that I never refuse,” eXx- claimed the gallant officer. ‘‘ And now,” he continued, rising EGomicbooks (E(0)