The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 333: what you’re looking at

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

THE BOUDOIR 311 ‘“ And who is that?’ asked Venetia, with a smile of ill-subdued satisfaction at her abigail’s compliments. ‘Lady Ernestina Dysart,’ responded Jessica. ‘ But though her bust is certainly very fine, it 1s not equal to your ladyship’s. And now, if your ladyship would permit me to suggest that a fan has become an elegant appendage to even a morning costume — ”’ “To be sure! —a fashion just imported from France,” observed Venetia, as she negligently took the fan which Jessica presented to her. But we will not linger upon this portion of our narrative. Suffice it to say that it was eleven o’clock by the time Lady Sackville had finished her toilet and partaken of break- fast; and punctually as her watch indicated that hour was Sir Douglas Huntingdon ushered up into the boudoir. Now be it understood that Venetia was guilty of no indis- cretion, according to the notions then prevalent in the fash- ionable world, in thus receiving a male visitor in her private apartment. It was then a common custom, borrowed from the French; and therefore Lady Sackville did not com- promise herself before her servants by thus granting an audience to the baronet in that boudoir. Receiving him with the most winning and enchanting affability, she seated herself near the toilet-table and pointed to a chair close by, which he immediately took. ‘IT am punctual to the appointment with which you have honoured — may I[ not rather say favoured me,”’ he observed, gazing tenderly upon her; and this remark was a further proof, if any additional one were wanting, that she had made a mistake in delivering the notes on the preceding evening. ‘““ My dear Douglas,” she said, for the first time addressing him thus familiarly by his Christian name, ‘‘ there is nothing you can ask of me which I will not grant, provided you consent to do me that great and essential service to which I alluded last night.” ‘““ Have I not declared that you may command me even unto the very death? ’”’ exclaimed the baronet, taking her hand and pressing it to his lips. “Yes, yes; and I believe you,’”’ she murmured. Then suddenly assuming a serious look, and speaking in a solemn tone, she said, “‘ My dear Douglas, I am about to confide to you a secret which will prove how thoroughly I trust in your CONNIC OOO (SO) am