The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 175: what you’re looking at

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

150 THE COURT OF LONDON see what preparations the amorous marquis has made for her reception. Remembering that on the previous occasion of Venetia’s visit to his mansion she had been shown to the Crimson Drawing-room, whence she had penetrated into the adjoining suite of chambers, Lord Leveson now deemed it fitting to receive her in another apartment. Accordingly, he had ordered the most sumptuous room in his mansion, and which bore the title of the Gilded Saloon, to be prepared for the occasion. And well did that apartment deserve its title, for nothing could be more sumptuous, nothing more superb. The ceiling was painted to represent the most curious mosaic work inlaid with gold; the cornices were massive, elaborately carved, and covered with gilding; the walls were painted a rich blue that served as a ground for a tracery of arabesques executed in gilding. The draperies were of purple velvet, with massive golden fringes sweeping the thick carpet, which was of a pattern to match the walls and curtains. The chandeliers were suspended to the ceiling by gilt chains, and every article of furniture consisted of rosewood inlaid with gilding. The mantels —for there were two fireplaces in this spacious room — were covered with the richest ormolu ornaments, and thus when the wax tapers were lighted the effect produced by the whole scene was grand, gorgeous, and magnificent to a degree. It was in this sumptuous apartment that the Marquis of Leveson anxiously awaited the coming of Venetia at about ten minutes to eleven. The reader has already seen enough of his character to comprehend what his feelings must have been and how his passions were excited at the prospect of the delicious victory which now at length appeared to be within his reach. For he thought to himself that the most splendid woman England ever produced — a woman of such incom- parable loveliness that not even the most fastidious critic could find aught to cavil at in feature, contour, or mien — was coming to abandon herself to his arms. He felt that all the joys and pleasure of his long life, if taken together and made to distil in their aggregate all the essence of bliss, were still dull and insipid when compared with the transcending happiness, the ineffable concentration of Elysian delights, which now appeared to be in store for his enjoyment. The timepieces on the two mantels chimed eleven, and Gomicbooks (E(@)