The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 150: what you’re looking at

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

ae THE CAPTAIN ENJOYING HIMSELF 133 “went out soon after ten o’clock, and did not return till about three this morning. These facts I learned from his lordship’s valet.’’ “Then the lover of Mrs. Malpas during the past night,” said Venetia, ‘‘ was the prince! ’’ and for a few moments a shade came over her resplendent brow and she bit her scarlet lip with vexation. “But of that no matter,” she suddenly exclaimed. “I am not jealous of the prince. I know full well,’? she continued, the glow of triumph lighting up in her eyes and flushing her cheeks, “that if he now and then wanders away for a short while from the sphere of my influence, with a look or a word can I bring him back to my feet. But Iam angry, I am indignant, oh, I am almost disgusted with myself,’ she cried, in a state of excitement that rendered her grandly and terribly beauti- ful at the moment, ‘“ when I think that, discomfited, van- quished, and defeated, I was compelled to surrender myself to the arms of that dastard Malpas.”’ “Your ladyship has ten thousand sources of consolation,” said Jessica, “‘for one annoyance of this kind. Brilliant, courted, worshipped as you are, all kinds of happiness are within your reach and at your disposal — ”’ | “Hnough, Jessica,’ cried Venetia, a profound mournful- ness suddenly seizing upon her, and as a deep sigh, amounting almost to a convulsive sob, made the rich volume of her bosom upheave as if it were about to burst from the prison- age of the corset, she turned aside for a moment and with a creat effort subdued an outburst of grief. Jessica said nothing, did not even appear to notice this sudden change in her mistress’s mood, but bustled about the boudoir as if to arrange three or four things that required putting in order. “Now, my excellent and faithful Jessica,’ said Venetia, alter a pause of a few minutes, “‘ you must at once take this money to Colonel Malpas and tell him that according to the compact entered into between us ere we parted, he will find another sum of a few thousand pounds at the banker’s at Geneva when he arrives there. Here is the address of the hotel in St. James’s Street where you will find him.” The abigail took the slip of paper which her mistress handed her, together with the bank-notes for five thousand ) COMMICLAOO <S) (C(O) mM