The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 150: what you’re looking at

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136 scarcely audible: and her head drooped upon his breast. Oh! with what impassioned rapture did the in- fatuated young man take that charming head between both his hands and cover it with kisses! Then ently forcing Venetia to look up, he lavished a thousand caresses upon her polished brow—her glowing cheeks—her charming mouth: but to no far- ther freedoms did the demonstration of his passion extend—to no sensual license did those burning caresses lead! His hand sought not to invade the treasures of her bosom: ’twas sufficient for him then to feel the rich volume of either firm and snowy globe heaving against his chest;—and Ve- netia could not do otherwise than contrast the deli- cate devotion of Horace Sackville with the frenzied longings and undisguised sensuousness of the Prince Regent. For a long time did Miss Trelawney and her sixth suitor remain in tender and interesting dis- course tovether. They talked upon many subjects -—they reviewed all the circumstances under which they had first become acquainted with each other —they laid plans for the future—and they arranged that their bridal should take place as early as con- venient. When they separated it was past six o’clock in the evening: and Captain ‘Tash remarked to his man Robin at the Green Dragon opposite, as they saw Horace Sackville leave Acacia Cottage, “ Well, that is the longest visit that any gentleman has yet paid to Miss Trelawney !” -_——-_— CHAPTER XL. MRS. GALE, Ir was about four in the afternoon that an elderly female, of matron-like appearance and well-dressed, presented herself at Leveson Mansion in Albe- marle Street. She was evidently known to the domestics: for the hall-porter instantaneously ad- mitted her without a word, and a page at once conducted her into the room where the Marquis was seated. She looked one of those respectable, motherly women whom children would love and in whom in- experienced, artless girls would place implicit con- fidence. ‘There was something uncommonly good- tempered in her smile and benevolent in her gaze, —something exceedingly unpretending, frank, and honest in her manner. Her apparel was neatness itself; and its material as well as her general de- meanour indicated a gentlewoman in ¢asy circum. stances, But how appearances may be deceptive! ‘This female, with the kind and motherly air—with the unassuming blandness of manner—and with the look ot unimpeachable respectability, was none other than a vile procuress. Her name was Gale: she possessed a haudsome and _ well-furnished house in Soho Square ;—and in that establishment she had a perfect harem of beauties whom she had decoyed into her meshes, and whom she sold to the | aristucratic voluptuaries and wealthy profligates of the West End. Beneath that suavity of manner which she had so long assumed that it had become a part of her nature, she concealed a diabolical dis- position. There was no infamy-—no wickedness of | seated to receive her—and etre coher — THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. which she was not capable had carried desolation aud despair into many a respectable family, and had proved the ruiu of mary alovely girl, She hadlong been wedded to iniquity itself: but now, beiug its widow, as it were, she lived by involving others in its maze. Her per- severance in carrying out any scheme which she herself initiated, or which might be entrusted to her, was only equalled by her avarice in making the most of it either in the form of profit or reward. She was well known to all the rakes, roués, and yo- luptuaries about town: she was also a go-between for married ladies who required the succour of such a person ;—and she had heaped up riches by means of her manifold iniquities, Such was the woman whom the Marquis of Leve- son had sent for in the morning, and who now came in obedience to the summons of one of her best and oldest patrons. “Sit down, Mrs. Gale,” said his lordship; “and listen to me attentively. But first tell me whether you have time and inclination to embark in a little enterprise for me.” ‘I have always time at your lordehip: S service,” was the bland response; “and every inclination to devote it to your lordship’s purposes.” “T expected no less favourable an answer from you,” observed the nobleman. “Listen,then. At Beechey Manor, near Wandsworth, reside a certain Mr. and Mrs. Bradshaw. The husband is an elderly man; aud I have every reason .to_believe him an unprincipled scoundrel, who has already once trafficked in his wife’s charms, She is younger than he, aud exceedingly beautiful. This Mrs. Bradshaw I am determined to possess. But inasmuch as her husband is an intriguing, desperate, reckless fellow, he is quite capable of selling me his wife first and bringing an action for damages after- wards. Such a proceeding I am therefore anxious to avoid. In fact, I would sooner abandon the enterprise than place myself in the power of this Bradshaw. Do you comprehend me?” “ Perfectly, my lord,” replied Mrs.Gale. “Ican easily negotiate the affair without mentioning your lordship’s name; and if I succeed, the interview can take place at my house, where the lady need not know who your lordship is, unless indeed she is already personally acquainted with you.” “T do not think she is, Mrs. Gale,” observed Leveson: “because I never knew any one by the name of Bradshaw. ‘To be sure, the name may be an assumed one: but this is arisk Imust run, At all events, if the husband be not informed who the nobleman is that employs you, he can never obtain direct and positive evidence upon the subject Besides, you need not say that you are employed by a nobleman at all.” * Of course not, my lord,” rejoined Mrs. Gale: “for if the matter did ever go into a court of justice, all the barristers in the world would not get aye out of me if I chose to answer nay—and as for being put upon my oath, L should not value such nonsense a single straw.” : her plots and intrigues | TE ee “You speak like a very sensible and discreet | woman, as you are, my dear Mrs. Gale, Marquis of Leveson. “And now as to financial matters. I will give this Mr. Bradshaw a thousand guineas :—five hundred to be paid when he hands his wife into a hackney-coach, where you will be * said the | r fiy F rGiCe (GLO OM LIOOLS) ee eee ( (0)