The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 134: what you’re looking at

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

THE BARONET—THE MARQUIS 113 marquis, with a malignant glance, which seemed to infer that the hour of his triumph was drawing near. Then, with a low bow he asked, “ Is it your ladyship’s pleasure that I should remain standing? ”’ ‘Oh, assuredly not,’ exclaimed Venetia, with a glance which seemed to fling back the defiance of his lordship’s looks. ‘‘ Pray be seated,”’ and she herself resumed her place upon the sofa. | The marquis fixed his eyes steadily upon Lady Sackville; and as with one comprehensive look he embraced all the transcending charms of this woman of matchless beauty, he thought within himself that no daring was too desperate and no measure too extreme for adoption on the part of one who would seek to gain that glorious prize. ‘““ It is scarcely necessary for me to observe,’’ he said after ' a pause, during which Venetia made a very evident gesture of impatience not unmingled with disgust at finding herself thus the object of his lustfully gloating looks, “‘ it is scarcely necessary for me to observe,’’ he said, “that I have too many reasons to fear that I am no special favourite with your ladyship, and yet I am one of your ladyship’s most enthusiastic admirers.” ‘Your admiration, my lord, considering all that has taken place,’’ she replied, with a deeply meaning look, “ is little flattering to me.’ “It is true, my dear Lady Sackville,” he continued, totally unabashed, ‘“ that when inveigled into one of my mechanical chairs, you well-nigh paid the penalty of that curiosity which led you to penetrate into those private apartments — ”’ ‘“ Dare you allude to those chambers of infamy? ”’ ejacu- lated Venetia, her eyes flashing fire. ‘‘ But, ah! my lord, I could have forgiven you for all that you thus attempted toward me, but when I think of how nearly that innocent oir] — ”’ “IT understand full well what you mean,” interrupted Lord Leveson, with another malignant look, ‘‘ and it is precisely because I do thus understand you that I have taken it into my head to call upon your ladyship at the present moment. Of course, having been to Stratton Street, I am well aware — ”’ “We need not repeat things which are mutually known,”’ 9 Connicloooks (C(O)