The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 330: what you’re looking at

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

VENETIA AND HER ADMIRERS 299 another thought sprang up in her mind. But this second thought was of importance to herself, suggestive as it was of a means by which she could render the earl serviceable in certain matters upon which she had this night resolved. Suffering, therefore, her hand to remain in contact with his own, she bent upon him a look into which she threw as much tenderness and encouragement as she dared without incurring the risk of being deemed too ready to accept his overtures and too willing to fling herself into his arms. ‘ Have you forgiven me for the insolence of my conduct on the first day of our acquaintance? ”’ he inquired, in a low voice. “Most assuredly,’’ she softly answered. ‘‘ Has not my conduct proved this much? ”’ “Ah! if I dared to hope,’”’ murmured the earl, with a sigh. ‘““ If I were to bid you hope,”’ whispered Venetia, after a few instants’ pause, and speaking as if in obedience to the sudden impulse of a feeling stronger than herself, “‘ would you be ready to perform any service which I might demand? ”’ ‘Did you order me to kill myself at your feet as a proof of my devotion,’ responded the earl, transported with raptures and incredulous even to the amount of that happiness which the present discourse inspired, “‘ I would do it unhesitatingly —oh, unhesitatingly this moment! ”’ ‘‘ And you swear by your God, and by your honour as a man,’ whispered Venetia, earnestly and even solemnly, “‘ that you will keep secret whatever may pass between us? ”’ “T will, I will,” answered the earl. ‘“ I would sooner die than deceive you.” Venetia appeared satisfied with this reply; for her looks brightened up, and she threw upon the nobleman a glance of mingled gratitude and tenderness. Then, after reflecting deeply for a few moments, she said, ‘‘ I cannot tell you more now, but presently I will slip a note into your hand.” Having given the earl this assurance, which seemed to promise joys and favours that should crown him with a triumph and a bliss which even an hour before appeared to be not merely incalculably remote but scarcely probable or possible at all, having thus breathed those honeyed words of hope, we say, Venetia rose from the sofa and advanced to- ward the prince and the others who were standing in a group ) ECORNICLOOOKS (CO)