The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 65: what you’re looking at

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

THE LAST PEARL 47 sex, to win that love on my part which would render me warm, ay, even glowing and impassioned, toward you, in- stead of my displaying this frozen demeanour of which you complain? ”’ ‘‘ Ah, Venetia! ”’ cried the marquis, passing his hand over her polished shoulders, and then toying with the tresses of glossy auburn which fell upon those shoulders of alabaster polish, “‘ I know full well all the sophistries of which your tongue is capable. But listen, I have a proposition to make to you, and if you accept it, never again will you experience the slightest embarrassment in a financial point of view.”’ ‘‘ A proposition! ’’ echoed Venetia, with all the eagerness of hope. ‘‘ Name it, my lord, name it.” “Become my mistress altogether,’ replied the marquis. ‘“ Leave the prince, abandon your husband, and I will forth- - with transport you to Leveson Hall in Buckinghamshire, where you shall dwell the queen of that vast domain, with a suitable revenue — ” ‘Oh, this is most kind, most generous, most noble on your part,” exclaimed Venetia, affecting an enthusiastic gratitude. ‘‘ But give me a short time to reflect upon the proposition — ”’ | “Dearest Venetia,’ interrupted the marquis, at once penetrating through the perfidiousness of her intent, “‘ you can take a day, or a week, to deliberate, if you choose.”’ ‘‘ Ah! now indeed you overwhelm me with your gener- osity,’’ cried Lady Sackville. ‘‘ Give me, then, the notes for that last pearl, and lend me an additional five hundred guineas.” ‘“‘ Assuredly,”’ answered the noblemen; and, producing his pocketbook, he at once drew forth the amount, which he happened to have about him. ‘“‘ A thousand, thousand thanks, my dear lord,’ said Lady Sackville, securing the notes about her person. ‘“ Now, then,”’ she added, rising from the sofa with an air of amiable assurance, “ you will allow me to depart, and to-morrow evening I will send your lordship my decision respecting the generous, the flattering, and the tempting proposal you have made me.” ‘ Be it so with regard to your decision, my dear Venetia,’ rejoined the marquis, with a look half-malicious and half- ironical, which had the effect of at once annihilating the (C(O) nn) GDoOo S (CO)