The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 284: what you’re looking at

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

THE PRIVATE THEATRICALS 251 who were to take part in the performances, as well as to a select number of persons who were to constitute the audience. At this splendid festival his Royal Highness wore a court dress, with the Order of the Garter. On his right hand sat Lady Sackville, the brilliant Venetia, the glory of whose transcending charms appeared not only fit to bask in that blaze of light, but also calculated to enhance the dazzling lustre which, shed from the crystal chandeliers and reflected in the superb mirrors, flooded the banqueting-room. There also was Lady Curzon, another grand beauty belonging to the sphere of aristocracy and fashion. Miss Bathurst, Mrs. Arbuthnot, and her daughter Penelope were likewise there, thanks to special invitations sent them by Venetia, and through the interest of the Countess of Curzon, Lady Lech- mere had likewise procured admission to this select circle. Lady Prescott, who was only in the second year of her widowhood, but had laid aside her weeds and was said to be looking out for another husband, was also.present. In addition to these ladies were at least twenty others, duch- esses, marchionesses, countesses, and baronesses, very many of whom had at different times been honoured with the smiles of the prince regent and had bestowed their favours upon him in return. We said that Venetia sat next to the prince, but on her right hand was Sir Douglas Huntingdon, who was, however, careful not to regard her with any undue familiarity that might betray the intrmacy subsisting between them. The Earl of Curzon was also present, and at first he had felt a little piqued at not being enabled to find a seat next to Venetia, for he little thought that the baronet had quite as much claim upon her favour as he himself could advance. Indeed, the baronet’s pretensions were in reality the greater, because, although they had both rendered Venetia signal services and each had received his reward, yet be it recollected that the Earl of Curzon had obtained that reward through a mistake in the famous boudoir scenes, whereas Venetia had voluntarily and indeed designedly abandoned herself to Sir Douglas Huntingdon. But if the Earl of Curzon had now failed to place himself next to Lady Sackville, he was somewhat indemnified by having the handsome and dark- eyed Lady Prescott on his right hand, and he soon found that the widow was not only very amiable, good-tempered, CORAICLOO© SS (C(O)