The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 326: what you’re looking at

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

VENETIA AND HER ADMIRERS 295 to Jocelyn Loftus, which revealed to the ears of Venetia a remarkable secret in connection with that young gentleman, showing to her how it was that the prince had ere now spoken of him as the falsely styled Jocelyn Loftus. But why is Venetia interested in aught that concerns Jocelyn Loftus? Does she know him? MHas she ever seen him? In a word, wherefore has her heart begun to flutter like a frightened bird in its cage, and why does it need all her resolution, all her firmness, all her presence of mind to pre- vent the betrayal of those emotions which the mention of this name has suddenly excited within her bosom? We cannot answer these questions at present; and there- fore must we pursue, without delay, the thread of our nar- rative. ‘“‘ And is he still in the prefecture? ’”’ inquired the prince, continuing the whispered discourse with Leveson, while Venetia was straining every sense to catch each word that passed between them. ‘Yes,’ returned the marquis. ‘“‘ What else could possibly be done with him? He is proof against all temptation; his virtue would put the old Stoic philosophers to shame; and if he were set at large he would blow to the winds all that fine scheme which, if successful, will relieve you from the trammels of your accursed marriage.”’ “ But will the French government consent to retain him a@ prisoner much longer? ’”’ asked the prince. ‘“ Seeing that the pretext is so shallow, I fear lest it should be under the necessity of setting him at liberty.”’ “Not at all,’’ returned the marquis. ‘“ King Louis acknowledges his obligation to succour your Royal Highness to the utmost of his power, and he pledged himself to me to do so.”’ “Then the imprisonment of that mad-brained, obstinate young man is likely to be prolonged indeed? ”’ said the prince. “But what have you done with that beautiful Louisa Stanley of whom you wrote to me in such glaring colours? ”’ “Would you believe it, sir, I have brought her back from Paris and managed to entice her to Albemarle Street,”’ said the marquis, with a leer of most sensual satisfaction. ‘Do you mean to say that you have already won that prize?’ asked the prince. “No, no, not yet. I have been playing the paternal, COM a LOOKS (CO)