The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 66: what you’re looking at

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

48 THE COURT OF LONDON hope Venetia experienced, ‘‘ but that can make no difference with regard to the fulfilment of our compact to-night.’’ Lady Sackville answered not a word. She saw at once that her duplicity was penetrated, that her artifice was seen through, and she blushed deeply with the confusion which assailed her, subduing all her wonted fortitude and rendering her powerless for the use of further argument. ‘You are mine, Venetia, you are mine,’”’ resumed the marquis, throwing one arm around her neck and gazing with devouring eyes upon the features that seemed at the instant all the handsomer in the confusion of the blush which mantled on them. ‘‘ Think you for a single moment that after the sacrifices I have made to obtain you I should be so con- temptible an idiot, so wretched a madman, so flagrant a dolt, as to suffer any postponement of that joy which is now within my reach? I have made you a proposition, and if you like to accept it my travelling-carriage shall be ordered, and away will we speed to Leveson Hall. But if, on the other hand, you decline that proposition, or choose to defer a positive answer upon the subject, then must you be mine to-night, — mine at once.’ As the marquis thus spoke, Venetia saw that his passions were kindled to an overpowering degree, and there was something hideous in that old man, so made up of artifi- cialities as he was, now exhibiting all the gloating licentious- ness of a satyr. But still she veiled as well as she was able, and with a mighty effort, the outward manifestation of her feelings, for she resolved that if she must succumb, she would not afford him reason to believe that he had consum- mated a mighty vengeance as well as a signal triumph. ‘“‘ As I have already said, my lord,’ she observed, ‘‘ I am at your mercy. I surrender at discretion.” “Then come this way — this way,” said the marquis, in the hurry of excitement, and he led her toward the door that opened into the private suite of apartments. “‘ Wherefore into those rooms?’”’ she asked, now drawing herself up with a look of haughty remonstrance. “ Not into the gallery, my dearest creature,” responded the marquis, with a salacious look. ‘‘ With you as my com- panion, there is no need for such artificial excitement as that. It is to a private chamber that we repair by this means of communication, for surely you would not wish to comicloooks (C©) im