The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 60: what you’re looking at

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

42 THE COURT OF LONDON the most painful mortification. The only man of whom she could safely ask such a favour was absent from town for a few days: this was Sir Douglas Huntingdon. Therefore, having fruitlessly racked her brain for upwards of five minutes, she once more turned her looks appealingly upon Mrs. Gale, but the woman was gazing upon her in a manner which showed that she perceived how cruelly Venetia was embarrassed, and that she was actually enjoying it. Goaded therefore to desperation, and suddenly nerving herself to make that last sacrifice which was uppermost in her thoughts, and from which she had recoiled ere now with so strong a loathing, she rang the bell violently. In a few moment Jessica made her appearance, and Venetia, in a low whisper, bade her hasten and order a hackney-coach around to the private door of the palace. The abigail, without waiting to ask a single question, but doubtless well knowing that her mistress would bestow her usual confidence on her at the first fitting opportunity, hastened to execute the order she had received. Venetia then put on a plain bonnet with a thick veil, and a dark — coloured shawl. She took something from her jewel-case and hastily thrust the object into her bosom, and when her preparations were thus made, she turned toward Mrs. Gale, saying, in a low, thick voice, “ I am going to a friend who resides at some distance, to procure this money. It may be two or three hours before I return.”’ ‘“‘ T have given you until midnight,” answered the woman, ‘‘ and here therefore shall I remain during the interval.” Venetia spoke not another word, but hastily quitted the boudoir. | comicloooks (CO in