The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 190: what you’re looking at

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

TO WHICH WE CAN GIVE NO TITLE § 167 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,’ caressing her fondly. ‘Yes, because you are to become a peer,” she replied. ‘“ And we are to remove to Carlton House? ”’ “Immediately. The post of lord steward is yours.”’ ‘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 prospects,” exclaimed the young man; ‘“ and I suppose 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 accentuation was only assumed suddenly to drown that sigh. Venetia sighed also, for she was not so far tainted with depravity, especially after this her first fault, as to be other- wise than keenly sensible of the fact that it was now a polluted woman whom her husband was clasping in his arms. They retired to rest, for it was still too early to go down- stairs; and Venetia was glad when the candle was extin- guished and she could conceal her countenance 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, confusion, and even grief had subsided. They began to look 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 paradise of nuptial purity, they now knew all their moral nakedness, and speedily ceased to be ashamed. It appeared as if by a ’ said Horace, (CO) CORnNICLOOKS