The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 292: what you’re looking at

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

THE PRIVATE THEATRICALS 259 scrutinizingly upon Venetia, in order to clear up any doubts which might remain in his mind relative to the idea he had conceived. But the longer he surveyed that splendid creature, whose animated complexion now gave increased brilliancy and effect to her faultless features, and who availed herself of every opportunity permitted by the part she was enacting to exhibit all the charming graces of her person and all the seductive witcheries of her exquisite beauty, the less room was there for doubt. Indeed, as the music of her delicious voice floated through the warm and perfumed atmosphere of that brilliantly lighted saloon, its accents, its harmony, its intonations, all fell familiarly upon J prelya S ear. He was now seized with a sudden repugnance to remain in that place any longer. The atmosphere grew oppressive to him; it seemed as if he were breathing the air exhaled by all that is profligate, immoral, meretricious, and foul in the sphere of rank and fashion. He even felt as if he were com- mitting a crime by lingering in so tainted an atmosphere. Seizing his hat, he resolved to take his departure at once, and accordingly issued forth by the door covered with the purple velvet curtains. But scarcely had he set foot on the landing outside, when he recollected that his whole and sole object in coming to Carlton House at all was to obtain an in- terview with the prince regent, and in this aim he did not wish to be disappointed. He therefore accosted a footman, saying, “‘ I feel too indisposed to remain in the saloon any longer, but I am most desirous to say a few words to his Royal Highness before I take my departure. Will you beso kind as to show me to a room where I can wait until the representation is over? ”’ The footman instantaneously complied with this request, and escorted our hero to an adjacent parlour, where a lamp was burning. ‘What name shall I mention to his Royal Highness? ”’ asked the footman, as he held the door ajar. “Give me writing materials, and I will pen a few lines, which you can hand to his Royal Highness immediately after the performance.” Jocelyn’s request was obeyed, and having written a note earnestly and solemnly imploring an interview with the prince, he folded, sealed, and gave it to the footman. The Cconnicloooks (C(O)