The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 72: what you’re looking at

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

VENETIA AND HER AGENT D0 to such advantage before, SO dazzlingly handsome, so ex- quisitely charming — “Enough, sir,’ exclaimed Venetia, her countenance flushing with indiznation ; but as the crimson tide not only mantled upon her cheeks, but also poured over her softly rounded shoulders and her heaving bosom, she iooked all the more grandly beautiful, and the colonel’s passions were excited if possible to a more frenzied pitch. ‘“ Our interview must on the present occasion be brief,’’ she continued, in a tone that was intended to overawe the colonel, and make him feel that though she had used him as the agent of her schemes, she utterly hated and despised him. ‘ Tell me, therefore, in a word, what you have done, and to-morrow you can call again and give me the details.”’ “TI am sorry to inform your ladyship that I have done nothing effective,’”’ answered Malpas. ‘“ Nothing!’ echoed Venetia, with mingled surprise and indignation, “‘ absolutely nothing? ”’ “Nothing, my lady, absolutely nothing,’’ responded Malpas, not adopting so humble a’tone as when he was last in her presence. “I shall not attempt to deceive you, and therefore I must at once confess that in spite of all the various plans and manceuvres I adopted, nothing has been done.”’ ‘““ And yet,’ exclaimed Venetia, now appearing pale with anger not only at this acknowledgment of utter failure on the colonel’s part, but likewise because she noticed a sort of flippancy and assurance in his tone which she was not alto- gether at a loss to understand, “‘ and yet in your letters you assured me that one of the Owens had become your mistress.”’ “True enough, my lady,’’ rejoined the colonel, ‘* but equally true it is that so far from my being able to make use of that connection in a manner serviceable to the objects of my mission, I do really believe that I myself was rendered a dupe and an instrument by the young lady. To be brief, Lord Curzon — ”’ ‘““Ah! you have met, then?’ exclaimed Venetia; but, instantly recovering her presence of mind, she said, ‘‘ Pro- ceed. I was interrupting you.” “ Well, the truth is soon told, Lady Sackville,” said Colonel Malpas, with increasing assurance alike of tone and manner, “ Lord Curzon and I did meet at Geneva, and we GOMmiiGcdoo! CS (CO) im