The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 228: what you’re looking at

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

LORD AND LADY SACKVILLE 205 ‘“ Nay, answer me the same question first,’”’ said Venetia, looking in his face for a moment, then colouring deeply, and casting down her beauteous eyes, as if the lids were oppressed with a weight of shame. “Did we not agree,’’ asked Lord Sackville, ‘on that memorable night, or rather, morning, when you returned to Acacia Cottage from Carlton House — ”’ ‘““Oh, allude not thus particularly to that night,’’ said Venetia, with a strong shudder which swept visibly over her entire form, as a rapid breeze appears to bear a sudden ruffle along the surface of the lake. ‘Pardon me, my love, for being too explicit,’”’ exclaimed Horace, noticing that cold tremor; ‘“ but I was merely desirous of reminding you of a special occasion on which we agreed that we would make ourselves happy in spite of all circumstances.”’ ‘“Yes, I remember full well,’’ returned Venetia; ‘ and Heaven knows that I have endeavoured to make myself, and also to make you, as happy as possible. But — ”’ ‘“ But what? ”’ ejaculated Horace, starting from the sofa, and speaking with the nervous abruptness of a man who is irresistibly impelled to court explanations which he never- theless dreads to hear. ‘Sit down, Horace, sit down,’’ said Venetia, ‘‘ and I will tell you what I mean.” But instead of resuming his place by her side on the sofa, he seated himself upon a footstool, pillowed his head upon her lap, and said, ‘‘ Now speak frankly, Venetia, and tell me all that you have to impart.” ‘Ah! this position which you have taken, this attitude which you have assumed, here, sitting at my feet,’’ exclaimed Venetia, powerfully moved and profoundly touched, “ re- minds me of the days of our honeymoon, that honeymoon which was so short, yes, short but beatific like a glimpse of Paradise. Then we were all love, all confidence, all childish playfulness; we could look each other in the face, only to smile, and not to blush. But now — now, how altered is it all, what a change has come over us! By rising to an eleva- tion which makes us envied, flattered, fawned upon, we have been made to loathe, detest, and abhor ourselves. Oh, may God grant that we shall not end by loathing, detesting, and abhorring each other! ”’ CORNICLOO© <S (CO)