The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 339: what you’re looking at

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

306 THE COURT OF LONDON Venetia, ‘‘ and found all those letters upon the table. Some of them I opened, as you perceive; others I left until to-day,” she added, a shade appearing upon her countenance as she recollected how the examination of her correspondence had been interrupted bythe painful reflections springing from the perusal of Jocelyn’s letter. ‘Something has occurred to annoy your ladyship? ’” said Jessica, immediately observing the altered countenance of her mistress. ‘““ Yes, amongst those letters there was one which saddened. and perplexed me cruelly,’ answered Venetia. ‘‘ But no matter. After all, perhaps, ’tis as well that this discovery should have been made at once,’’ she added, in a musing tone. Then suddenly brightening up, she proceeded to open the letters that remained as yet unread from the previous: night’s examination. ‘‘ What astounding impudence! ”’ she suddenly cried, as her looks settled in astonishment upon. the signature of one of the letters. ‘* But is it possible that. the pearls were sent by him? ”’ | “To whom does your ladyship allude? ”’ asked Jessica. “To the Marquis of Leveson,’’ was the response, and. Venetia proceeded to run her eyes over the letter which she held in her hand and the contents of which were as follows: ‘‘ LEVESON Hovussr, December 11, 1814. ‘The Marquis of Leveson presents his most respectful regards to Lady Sackville, and begs her acceptance of the trifle accompanying this note. The marquis is well aware: that it is an act of great presumption and boldness on his. part thus to intrude himself, even for a single instant, upon. the notice of Lady Sackville, but inasmuch as he strives: to address her in the profoundest humility and with every feeling of respect, he ventures to hope that Lady Sackville: will accord him a full and complete pardon for the past. The marquis is profoundly grieved at having so deeply incurred the displeasure of Lady Sackville, and while he is. resolved most faithfully and honourably to fulfil the com- pact so recently entered into with her ladyship, through. the medium of Sir Douglas Huntingdon, he believes and. hopes that it is no infringement of that compact thus to lay his homage at the feet of Lady Sackville, and beseech. her forgiveness for all bygone offences. Gomicbooks (E(0) Lie