The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 226: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XVIII LORD AND LADY SACKVILLE Leavine Jocelyn Loftus and his eccentric companion for awhile in the prison-chamber at the prefecture of police, we must now return to the English capital. In a magnificently furnished saloon at Carlton House, and between ten and eleven at night, Lord and Lady Sackville were seated together upon a sofa. Nothing could exceed the splendour by which they were surrounded; and if every- thing that was luxurious, gorgeous, and superb could render existence supremely blest, then must this young and hand- some pair have been preé€minently happy. The gilded furniture, the rich draperies, the thick carpets, the ornaments of rarest porcelain, the tables covered with all those fashionable trinkets, trifles, and knickknacks which, though mere useless nothings, are nevertheless so preéminently costly,— all these features, phases, and evidences of consummate splendour and refined luxury characterized the new abode of Lord and Lady Sackville. Indeed, one of the handsomest suites of apartments in the prince regent’s palace had thus been assigned to them; and yet, although they were the envy and admiration of the entire fashionable world, we now find them seated mourn- fully together in that splendid saloon. Nevertheless, Venetia looked transcendently lovely in the gorgeous dress that she wore; and her husband, as he gazed upon her, might well have been proud of possessing such a wife. On the other hand, never had Horace himself seemed more truly handsome, and any wife might have been proud of such a husband. Besides, was not their name gilded with a title? Did not the glory of a patrician coronet encircle their brow? Had not a pension of three thousand a : 203 CONNIE OOO a <S (CO)