The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 75: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER VII THE SUPPER DEVOURER But Venetia was not the only lady of rank and beauty who on this memorable night experienced the lancinating influence of ineffable woe. At the very time that she was compelled to surrender herself to the embraces of the Marquis of Leveson, this nobleman’s niece, Lady Ernestina Dysart, was passing through another phase in her own strange and checkered career. The reader is already aware that Ernestina had been up the whole of the preceding night, and that during all the earlier portion of the day she was engaged at the villa at Blackheath. It was not till the afternoon that she got back to Leveson House, and then, wearied and worn out in body, and feeling as if all mental energy had abandoned her for ever, she at once sought her bedchamber and retired to rest. A profound slumber soon entranced her, and she slept on tranquilly until a late hour in the evening. When she awoke she found a maid servant seated by the bedside, and lights burning in the room. ‘* What o’clock it it? ” asked Ernestina. ‘‘ Half-past’ nine, my lady,’’ was the response. ‘‘ His lordship, on hearing that your ladyship had returned and had come up to your room, felt uneasy that you did not descend again, and he accordingly sent me up to attend upon your ladyship.” | ‘Go and procure me some refreshment,” said Ernestina. Then suddenly recollecting something, she added, “ Give my kind regards to my uncle, say that I feel indisposed, but that if he will step up and see me I should take it as a kind- ness.” | The servant quitted the room, and when Ernestina was 57 Geom GDoOo <Si nin