The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 261: what you’re looking at

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

| | | by —_— ——— 248. that become men and women of the world,” ex- claimed Horace. “And now, my beaatful wife— as thou art indeed more ravishingly beautiful than ever this evening—especially with that rich glow upon thy cheeks,—let us retire to our own chamber that in each other’s arms we may taste the joys of paradise.” With the wanton glow deepening upon her coun- tenance, an@with a soft and sensuous lustre stealing into her swimming eyes, Venetia was extending her hand towards ber husband, when the door suddenly opened—and the Prince Regent burst somewhat unceremoniousl¢ into the room. “My dear Horace—my dear Venetia,” he said, tapping the former familiarly upon the back, but at once flinging his arm round the waist of the latter, —‘I thought I should have been kept up by the Ministers till two or three o’clock this morning: fortunately, however, I have got rid of them—and now I] am my own master once again.” Thus speaking, he gave a significant nod to Lord Sackville, who was compelled to obey it by at once leaving the room. But as he turned away to seek the door, the colour came and went upon his cheeks in such rapid Fansitions, and he bit his ashy lip so violently, that the poignancy of his emotions may be better gonceived than described. Venetia remained in the gorgeous saloon with the Prince—while her husband, not only ba filed in the amticipation of enjoying the company of his own wife that night, but also compelled to sneak like a vile cur away, retired to his solitary cham- ber. There he was compelled to gloat upon his titles and his honours, in orde sooth the sense of shame and degradation that rankled so bitterly in his mind. Whatever annoyance Venetia might have felt at being thus foroed to yield to the whims and minis- ter to the phantasies of his Royal Highness, she nevertheless most artfully and s fully veiled her emotions beneath a smiling aspect. “Do you know, my angel,” said the Prince, who had evidently been drinking with tolerable freedom, and whose vinous breath was most sickly and nauseating to Venetia as he bestowed hot kisses upon her countenance; “do you know,” he said «*that those cursed Mini:ters, by coming so suddenly aad so unseasonably to pester me on State affairs, deprived me of a little pastime which certain young ladies had contemplated for my diversion? How- ever, it ignot yet too late,” he exclaimed, starting to his feet: “and if you choose, you shail be a specta- érees, though an unseen one, of the amusement.” “ Of what natare is this pastime?” inquired Ve- aetia, eagerly catching at any thing that seemed calculated to release ber from the loathsome caresses which the Prince was now lavishing upan her. . “Come and see,” he replied: and giving her his arm, he candacted her across the principal landing, down a long passage, into an ante-chamber, at the extremity of which was a glass-door commu- nicating with another apartment. “Remain here, my love,” said the Prince: “but if the phantasy should seize you to come and join our sport, pray do so withont ceremony.” Having thas epoken, and bestowing another parting caress apon Venetia, the Prince hastened (he g'ase-door into the adjolaing apartment. Lavy Sackvil- now approached this glass-door; THE MYSTEMIES OF TH. COURT. and peeping between the crimson blinds in such a way That she could see everything without being seen herself, she plunged her looks inte the in- terior of the magnificent saloon #hich his Royal Highness had just entered. For magnificent it indeed was—farnished in the most luxurious atyle, and flooded with the light poured forth by nume- rous chandeliers and lamps. But what chiefly interested Venetia, was the circumstance that five or six young ladies, all of whom she recognised as belonging to the proudest families of the Aristo- cracy, had gathered round the Prince, and were assailing him with all the artillery alike of their charms and their. wit. Venetia was not jealous at the position in which her roya) lover was thus placed : she loathed and detested him too cordially to experience a sentiment which though in itself a noxious weed, ye only flourish when moistened by the dews of love;—and she likewise despised and contemned him more ‘peo ever for having brought her to behold the p spectacle. “ He believea me to be utterly atid tharoughly de- praved,” ahe thought within herself, and that I take delight in all kinds of profligacy. Well, per- haps the time may come when I shail do so. , At all events, henceforth I shall never hesitate to follow my own inclinations, and gratify any caprices that may take possession of me: for I perceive {ull well that virtue is a mockery—delicacy a laughing-stock —and propriety an imaginary thing, within the pre- cincts of a Court!” Venetia was thus musing to herself, when she became aware of footsteps behind her. She turned abruptly round—and beheld Sir Douglas Hunt- ingdon. Now, it will be remembered that the baronet, when availing himself of his turn to prosecute the love-campsign against Venetia (then Miss Trelaw- ney), had proposed marriage to the lady; and though she had declined the proposal with a consi- derable amount of raillery and amart rapartee, they had parted most excellent friends. It is true that Venetia was fully aware of Huntingdon'’s having employed Captain Tash to watch her movements but as abe bad eubsequently derived a positive and considerable edvantage (in the Malpas affair) from that circumstance, she was by no means inolfned to cherish it as a grudge against the baronet. More- over she did not forget that he had been one of the first to congratulate her at St. George’s Church upon her marriage. Altogether she rather liked him; for he was excessively good-tempered—and we have al- ready said that he was of handsome though dissi- pated appearance: but then it was that pale and interesting aspect of dissipation which is not without its admirers amongst ladies in the fashionable walks of life. Frem these observations the reader will not be surprised to learn that Venetia extended her hand in a most friendly manner and emiled very gra- ciously, as she thus found herself face to face with the baronet. “Ah! Lady Sackville,” be exelaimed, evidently astonished to meet her in that ante-room. “ It is always a pleasure to encounter you anywhere: but may I ask what on earth your ladyship is doing here ?” “The Prince—with that exquisite taste which so often characterises him,” replied Venetia, an ex- pregsion of peculiar contempt curling her lovety | ge ep errmsg CONNIE OOO© (C SS CO > aie ewe. see a