The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 126: what you’re looking at

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

ROYALTY’S FAVOURITE 105 ‘““ Why, dearest Venetia,’ he continued, in a languid tone, ‘there are no less than three or four of Mrs. Fitzherbert’s relatives whom you have positively been the means of appointing to excellent posts within the last month.”’ “And yet, my dear George, you cannot attribute any sinister motives to me,’ said Venetia, “in having thus persuaded you to perform what I have conceived to be mere acts of justice? ”’ ‘‘ Sinister motives!’’ echoed the prince. ‘‘ Those, dearest girl, I should never think of attributing to you. But really you must have a marvellously refined sense of justice thus to intercede in behalf of the relatives of a lady whom, if she could reconquer her lost influence over me, you would have to regard as a rival.” ‘“ Not so, my dear George,’’ exclaimed Venetia, with one of her sweetest smiles, ‘“‘ for if I mistake not, Mrs. Fitz- herbert is now nearly sixty.” ‘“‘ True,” ejaculated the prince, ‘‘ and the twenty years which have elapsed since last I saw her have no doubt made a wonderful alteration in her person. But tell me candidly, dear Venetia, do you know her? ”’ “You have already asked me this question three or four times,’ responded Lady Sackville, tapping his cheek play- fully, ‘‘ and I have as frequently assured you that I have never even seen Mrs. Fitzherbert.”’ “But has she not written to solicit your good offices on behalf of her pauper relatives? ’’ asked the prince. “No, on my honour she has not,” replied Venetia, in a firm tone and with decisive look. “Then it is really through kind and generous motives that you thus interest yourself in the matter? ’’ observed his Royal Highness, interrogatively. Again Venetia gave an emphatic answer in the afhrma- tive. ‘Well, you siren charmer,’ said the prince, completely yielding to the blandishments, the seductive wiles, and the irresistible fascinations to which he was subjected not merely in the society but from the close contact of that woman of transcendent beauty, “‘ you must have your own way in all things. Therefore, as I hate being troubled with those official lists, do you take the pencil and make what alterations therein you may think fit. I will at once afhx CONNICOOOKS.EO©