The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 121: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. EEE restrain or conceal the look of curiosity which they flung upon each other as they thus met. His Royal Highness beheld Miss Trelawney for the first time— and he was dazzled and amazed by her exceeding loveliness, which transcended even the vivid descrip- tions that had been given of it on the occasion of the banquet at the Marquis of Leveson’s house. On the other hand, although Venetia had seen the Prince two or three times at a distance when he was riding in the park, she had never till now beheld him ‘close enough to decide how far he resembled his ‘published portraits. We cannot say that she was not somewhat disappointed, for portraits are nearly always flatterers; but she had the tact to conceal the impression which the princely appearance thus made upon her. Having besought his Royal Highness to be seated, Miss Trelawney remained standing in pursuance of the established etiquette: but the Prince, with that, off-hand politeness for which he was celebrated, ‘observed with a smile that he could not think of taking a chair until she herself was seated. She accordingly placed herself upon the sofa, while the Regent took an arm-chair at a short distance. “Tt would betelling an untruth, Miss Trelawney,” said His Royal Highness, at once opening the con- versalion, ‘“‘and withholding a compliment which you so pre-eminently merit, were I to allege that itis not a sentiment of curiosity that has induced me to pay you the homage ofa call. In plain terms, I had received such exciting accounts of your incomparable beauty, that 1 was most anxious to have the pleasure of forming the acquaintance of the goddess who graces the metropolis with her pre- . sence.” “J had already been assured that your Royal Highness was proficient in the art of flattery,’ replied Venetia, with a blush and a half-smile: “ but I did not anticipate the honour of a personal proof of that accomplishment.” “Since you style it an accomplishment, Miss Trelawney,” ‘returned the Prince, “ you cannot of course be offended by the mode in which I have addressed you. A goddess must consent to receive the adoration which her beauty inspires.” ‘Women are such vain and frivolous creatures,” rejoined Miss Trelawney,—“ or at least they have the reputation of being so,—that were I the first to whom your Royal Highness had ever addressed such honied language, I might be immensely flattered by it, But inasmuch as lam well aware that every beauty about the English court has been honoured with the same approval—perhaps, too, in precisely the same words——” “Miss Trelawney, you are too severe upon me,” interrupted the Prince. “ 1 see that you possess a wit equal to your loveliness——” “And you, sir, a faculty of heaping compliment upon compliment,” responded Venetia, with a smile that displayed her brilliant teeth. “In praising you, Miss Trelawney,” said the Prinee, fixing upon her a look of deep meaning, “ I only gave an honest expression to my thoughts. Yes —you are so far right—lam indeed an admirer of female beauty. IL worship—Iadore it. But of all the charms that ever received praises from my lips, your’s are indescribably beyond ail parallel. We must have you at Court, Miss Trelawney; andif you will permit me to become the means of present- Ing you to the most distinguished ladies who rule 107 the world of fashion, I shall be delighted to have that honour.” “Tam at a loss to conceive how I could so sud- denly have won your Royal Highness’s favour,” ob- served Venetia, her eyes sparkling with a triumph which it was impossible altogether to subdue: “[ —a humble, obscure individual ‘g “A lady invested with such peerless charme is neither humble nor obscure,” said the Prince Regent, emphatically. “ And, moreover, if it were necessary to gild the name of Trelawney by the adventitious aid of a title, have I not the power to do that also ?” “Your Royal Highness is making me the object of an experiment,” said Venetia, with a flush upon her cheeks—but not a flush of anger: for a sub- dued joy shone in her beauteous eyes, and smiles beamed upon her heavenly countenance. “You are endeavouring, sir, to ascertain the extent to which a woman’s credulity may reach, through the medium of her vanity : and although I do not pro- fess to be more strongly-minded than the gene- rality of my sex, yet I have the sense to avoid ren- dering myself contemptible in your eyes.” “Upon my soul, you misinterpret my meaning— you do me wrong, Miss Trelawney!” exclaimed his Royal Highness. “Iam serious—and what is more, I am sincere in all I say: and if you will permit me at once to consider myself upon a foot- ing of friendship with you, I shall be enabled to speak with less reserve.” “ J cannot forget, sir,” replied Venetia, * that you are the representative of the Sovereign, and that I, as a dutiful subject, am bound to listen deferen- tially to all that your Royal Highness may choose to address to me. But I beseech you, sir, not tu pay me so ill a compliment—after honouring me with so many flattering ones—as to suppose that I am one of those vain, frivolous, silly creatures whose character is taken as the general type of the sex.” “Tt is precisely because I do regard you as pos- sessing’ a superior mind, that I crave leave to give utterance to my thoughts without reserve or cir- cumlocution. Grant me this permission, Miss Trelawney,” exclaimed the Prince, “and you will at once place me at my ease.” *T am of course prepared to listen to whatsoever your Royal Highness may have to say to me,” returned Venetia. * But shall Lincur the chance of offending you?” inquired the Prince. “ Your own excellent notions of the courtesy due to a lady must surely render such a fear on your part, sir, quite unnecessary,” observed Miss Tre- lawney. “But suppose that I threw myself at your feet, and declared that I loved you ?” said the Prince, eagerly and anxiously watching the effect of his words. “TI should consider that you were carrying your — present jocular humour to a foolish extreme,” an- swered Venetia, laughing, “But if it were really true, Miss Trelawney—if it were with positive sincerity that I could thus sink on my knees in your presence and offer you the homage of my heart,—what treatment might — I anticipate at you hands ?” demanded the Prince, with fervid tone and impassioned looks. “T know not how to respond to such strange —_—_—_—__—__+ | J. 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