The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 47: what you’re looking at

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

MORE PEARLS FROM THE STRING 29 sphere which was properly our own, we should doubtless have been happier than we are now. At all events, our love would have flowed on like a pure crystal stream that is unpolluted, uncontaminated — ”’ ‘“‘ Then the splendours, the brilliancies, the pomps, and the honours of a court life are already losing their attractions for you, Horace? ”’ interrupted Venetia, an ineffable tender- ness stealing upon her and melting that heart the chords of which had of late vibrated to but few of the better feelings of human nature. “Would to God,” cried Horace, the anguished look he had before shown again sweeping over his countenance, which, though handsome as ever, had recently grown pale with dissipation, ‘‘ would to God that I could throw off these golden shackles which a lordly title and a courtly office have riveted upon my limbs, ay, not only upon my limbs, but upon my mind also! Venetia, I am sick of it. This scene which is now passing between you and me has aroused in my mind feelings and sentiments long dormant there, and has revived many blissful memories of the past. Would to God that all this had never happened, that when we were married we had fled far away from those who had the power to coerce us.” : ‘Yes, but we were so completely in their power,’ mur- mured Venetia, deeply moved by the impassioned language to which her husband had been giving utterance. ‘“‘ It is useless to regret all that has taken place — ”’ “ But the future, Venetia,’’ interrupted Horace, as he threw upon her a strange, wild look, ‘“ dare you plunge your eyes into the future? It is true that we may be elevated to a more exalted rank than that which we at present hold. The prince will no doubt fulfil his promise, and on the day when the death of his father shall make him King of England will bestow still loftier titles upon us. But of what avail will be the exchange of a baron’s coronet for that of an earl, if life can be only passed by plunging into dissipations and profligacies of all kinds in order to escape from thought? Believe me, Venetia, had we at our marriage remained in private life, existing only for each other, and imbibing all our happiness from the pure fount of sincere and honourable love, never, never should I have crossed the threshold of the gaming-house, never should I have become addicted to the 79 Connie 0)(0)©) <Si inn