The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 221: what you’re looking at

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

204 THE COURT OF LONDON year been conferred upon the newly created peer, in order, as the cant phrase goes, “‘ that he might be enabled to sup- port his rank.’’ Had he not an additional income arising from the office of lord steward in the regent’s household, and did not the tables in that very saloon groan beneath the evi- dences of the lavish profusion with which the prince showered down the choicest gifts upon Venetia? Wherefore, then, was this noble couple a prey to melancholy? Wherefore had a cloud settled upon their countenances? Had they not all that honour, wealth, splendour, and distinction could con- tribute cr combine to ensure their felicity? Were they not the idols of the fashionable world? Was not Horace courted, flattered, and smiled upon by the proudest dukes and haughtiest earls? And did not the statelest duchesses and the most exclusive countesses regard Venetia as a being second only to a queen? In a word, was not Lady Sackville caressed and fawned upon by the whole British aristocracy because she was the mistress of the prince regent? And was not Lord Sackville similarly courted because he was the husband of that royal harlot? Yes, it was precisely because Venetia was thus the mistress of the prince, and it was because her husband was the pander to her shame, — for these reasons was it they were mournful now. This was almost the first time they had found them- selves alone together since the whirl of pleasure, gaiety, and fashionable dissipation had commenced immediately after Venetia surrendered herself to the arms of the prince. But on this particular occasion his Royal Highness was engaged with the Ministers; and it happened that Lord and Lady Sackville were invited to no fashionable reunion for the evening, nor had they company in their own apartments. The consequence was that when the royal dinner-party had broken up, Horace and Venetia found themselves thus alone, — thus, as it were, compelled to look each other in the face despite the feelings of shame that were struggling in their hearts. For be it understood that they were not yet so inured to depravity nor so thoroughly steeped in profligacy as to have become altogether callous to the whispering of the soul’s innermost voices and the influence of the heart’s better feelings. ‘‘ Venetia, my dearest wife,’ said Horace, taking her hand and pressing it to his lips, “‘ tell me, are you happy? ”’ CONNIE NCO KS (E(0)