The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 131: what you’re looking at

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

110 THE COURT OF LONDON to her removal thus speedily. Her brother is with her in her new abode — ” ‘‘ And doubtless Sir Douglas Huntingdon will be a constant visitor there? ”’ interrupted Venetia, with a slight movement indicative of annoyance, and with a look that was the least thing piqued and pouting. “Ah! ’tis cruel thus to suspect the fidelity of a heart devoted to your charms,’’ exclaimed the baronet, sinking upon his knees at Venetia’s feet. ‘‘ But I will confess that this strange episode of which Ariadne Varian is the heroine has produced a singular — and indeed unpleasant — effect upon my mind. It has unsettled me; it has thrown a damp as it were upon my spirits; it has rendered me restless and uneasy — ”’ ‘“ My dear Douglas,’’ observed Venetia, the colour mount- ing to her cheeks, as she bent her beauteous head toward the baronet, who knelt at her feet, “‘ you are in love with that sirl, and you are now, with wonderful ingenuousness, con- fessing to me all the minute symptoms of your passion.” ‘No, Venetia, no,’’ exclaimed Sir Douglas, starting from his knees and resuming his place by her side upon the sofa. ‘Even if I may have fancied so for a moment, it was but a dream. Indeed, I experienced a boundless compassion — an illimitable sympathy — for that poor girl, who saved my life at the murderers’ hut, and whom circumstances thus so singularly placed in my care.” “T tell you, Douglas,’ interrupted Venetia, gently re- pulsing his hand as he attempted to take hers, — “‘I tell you that you love Ariadne Varian! And why should you not? If she be beautiful and amiable and good, she is doubtless worthy of your affection — ” “What? the sister of a poor clerk!” ejaculated the baronet; ‘‘ and he a man whom the law has branded and whom society will ever regard as an outcast, although the royal prerogative, influenced by your goodness, has par- doned him! ”’ } “But are you not the master of your own actions? ”’ inquired Venetia, bending down her eyes. ‘“‘ And may you not, if you choose, marry this girl, obscure and humble though she be? As for her brother’s unhappy position, wherefore should she suffer for his errors? ”’ “Oh, it is useless thus to argue the point, Venetia,’ cried CoOnnicloooks (C(O)