The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 148: what you’re looking at

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

es LL I tt a - your own house, 7 = ~ a Ne ge QG 13-4 —_——~_<- -— —_ _~-— “ Salurday, Seplember 21st, 1814 “My dear Leveson, . ‘In offering you the vacant Garter, I am only recog: nising the many services which you have rendered to your country and to the King’s Governinent by your unvarying support of our blessed Constitution and those excellent institutions under which the British people are happy, prosperous, free, and contented. ‘‘ Accept, my dearest Leveson, the affectionate regards of your's, &c., “ GEORGE, P. RB.” A little slip of paper, which was enclosed inside this letter, had fallen upon the carpet. Lord Leveson picked it up, and read as follows :— “You rogue, you thought to get the better of me with Venetia. But it served me right for forgetting to send you the special promise of the Garter. However, my dear friend, we will not entertain any ill-will towards each other; Venetia prefers me and has punished you—that is enough. By the bye, do you see by the papers that the rascally lower orders are getting more and more discontented every day, and are holeing meetings all over the country ? Some- thing must and shall be done. Besides, trade really seems horribly bad; and the country never was less prospercus or happy.) Our iustitutions positively seem as if they were worn/out: but I suppose they will last my time. Any news of the gossamer lady?” “Well, I shall have the Garter after all!” ex- claimed Leveson, rubbing his hands gleefully. * And now that 1 am on the track of the beauteous Mrs. Bra‘lshaw, the Prince may keep his Venetia in welcome ” =o CHAPTER XXXIX. PRT URDAE: OH, THE SIXTH SUITOR. It was three o’clock in the afternoon—and Venetia Trelawney was again seated aloue in her drawing- room, evidently expecting a visitor. She was plainly but well dressed, in a style cal- culated to show off her beauty to its greatest ad- vantage, aud at the same time to prove that she trusted to no adventitious aids for the embellish- rent of her charms. No ornament was upon her hair, which shone in its own natural glory with a splendour that far outvied that of the brightest crown or gemmed tiara. Her low-bodied dress displayed her fine bust; and in her looks there was a gentle tremulousness mingled with a soft and stealing languor. Presently a loud double knock at the front door startled her, although it was expected; and the colour deepened upon her cheeks—and her bosom palpitated rapidly—and she experienced some diffi- culty in regaining her self-possession by the time her staid and serious-looking domestic aunounced “Mr. Sackville.” “Well, Horace,” said Venetia, advancing to re- ceive him with the cordial welcome of previously existing acquaintanceship, or even of positive friendship: “and so you have availed yourself of your turn to favour me with your presence ?” she added, with a smile that revealed her pearly teeth. “Oh! I claim the privilege of my day,” he cried gaily, as he pressed her hand: then taking a seat near her as she placed herself on the sofa, he ob- served, “This is my Saturday, you know — and theretore I have a right to pay you my homage at ~ Necollect that this is the first i es te - ~ - ——— _ fuHE MI\STERIES OF FUE GCOURP. $$ LLLLLLLLLLLC LLL LT LLL LLL TC time I have ever set foot within the walls of Aca- cia Cottage.” , . “And what do you think of my residence, Horace ?” inquired Venetia. “That it fully justifies the description already given me concerning it,” responded the young gen- tleman. “But tell me candidly—did you expect — that I should call upon you to-day ?—and are you angry with me for doing so ?” “I did expect you, Horace—and I am not an- gry,” returned Venetia, in a low and somewhat serious tone, “ But of all the six suitors,” observed Sackville, gazing upon her earnestly and anxiously, “1 am the only one who dares not plead his suit and talk © to you of love!” “Do you wish to speak upon that topic, Horace?” | inquired Miss Trelawney, with a slight agitation visible in lier manner and a gentie tremulousness perceptible in her voice. "Wiuo can know you—vsho can contemplate you—who can hear you, Venetia,’ exclaimed Horace, rapturously and passionately, “ without loving you?” “But you, Horace—you, of a)] men, to address me in this style ?” said Venetia, with a profound sigh: then instantaneously brightening up, she turned upon him her glowing looks, now full of an expres- sion of archness, exclaiming, “ You are only playing your part as one of my six suitors: but you are — well aware of al] that has taken place——” “Of course I know all, Venetia,” interrupted | Sackvilie, gazing upon her with a profound and — mournful tenderness; “and now I wish that it had been otherwise! But you have triumphed, Venetia —you have triumphed proudly and grandly—aud the Prince of Wales inay now kneel at your feet. Yes—your charms have achieved all that was anti- cipated: and I have been an accessory to the gaiu- ing of this triumph on your part. ButIl am un- happy, Venetia——” * And wherefore should you be unhappy, Horace?” asked Miss Trelawney, in a tone and with a look that encouraged him to proceed. *Do you wish me to teil you the real truth, Venetia?” he inquired, his handsome eyes glitter- ing with suspeuse. . ‘*'Yes—if you please,” she responded, nervously: and the colour came and went upon her cheeks, as if she knew full well the revelation he was about to make. “Then hear the truth from my lips, Venetia,” he said: and gazing anxiously upon her as if to catch the first indication of the eflect which his words were about to produce, whatever this efiect might be, he me ee on ee ee — — — —— exclaimed, “ Beautiful creature, 1 love and adore you.” Although Miss Trelawney was fully prepared for this avowal, yet when it was made she trembled all! tee over—the colour went and cane in quick transitions © upon her cheeks—and her bosom rose and fell with heavings equally rapid. She endeavoured to mur- mur something: but the words died upon her lips— and a large tear, bright as a dew-drop and glistening as a gem, trickled adown each damask clieek. “Oh! you are not oflended with me—you are not angry !” exclaimed Llorace, in a joyous tone. “I was determined to come to you to-day and breathe in your ears the secret of my adoration — an ado- — — ati ‘hich is howeve rhaps no secret to yaul ration which is viiaaheiiea Goma ebooks com - - — ——