The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 49: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT, “Excellent! Nothing could be better!” ex- claimed the Prince. “But mind that in whatever account you choose to give the officer, youkeep my name out of the question.” ¢ As a matter of course,” replied the Marquis. — «And also that if you discover a clue to the reading of the mystery,” added the Prince, “vou will not avail yourself of it to obtain the lady as your own mistress.” “JI pledge you my honour, sir, on that point,” rejoined the nobleman. “But since you are so enamoured of this syren in the gossamer dress, your Royal Highness will have no heart left to be- stow upon the beauteous Venetia Trelawney.” “JT really don’t think I shall,” said the Regent: “and if it weren’t that we have made a compact and that there are six thousand guineas to be got by carrying off the lady-prize —_——” “You would abandon your chance?” cried the Marquis, eagerly. “} think I should,” responded the royal volup- tuary. “But I willnot pledge myself on that point, because ——” * Because the impression produced by the lady in the gossamer costume may wear off?” observed the Marquis. “ No—thatis impossible !” exclaimed the Prince. “ But because there would be something delightful and entertaining to a degree in triumphing over such men as Curzon, Huntingdon, Malpas, Sack- ville, and yourself.” “ Will you make a bargain with me, sir?” asked Leveson, at the expiration of atew minutes’ si- lence. ; “Name it,” said the Prince Regent. “If 1 succeed in obtaining for you your lady in the gossamer dress, you will abandon to me all your chances of success with Venetia Trelawney,” explained the nobleman: “and should I carry off the prize through your assistance, I undertake to hand over the six thousand guineas to your Royal Highness.” * But how ean I possibly put you in my place,” demanded the Prince, “supposing that I do avail myself of my turn to call on Venetia, and suppos- ing also that she should look with a favourable eye upon my addresses?” “Leave that to me,” said the Marquis. “ Only promise to tell me everything that passes between yourself and Venetia—and if you should succeed in making an impression on her and inducing her to consider your proposals for her to become your mistress ——” “J will solemnly and sacredly pledge myself to tell you word for word, and detail for detail, all that passes between us,” said the Prince: “and I will assist you to the utmost of my power to obtain possession of Venetia — always supposing, as a matter of course, that I experience any encourage- ment on her part.” “Good!” exclaimed the Marquis. “ And in re- turn { will do all [ can to throw the gossamer lady into your arms once more.” “And this agreement must of course remain profoundly secret between you and me,” observed the Prince. “ Undoubtedly so,” replied the Marquis of Leve- son. And us the carriage continued to roll onward at a rapid rate towards London, the Prince Regent 8d and his noble friend beguiled the time in discussing the projects which they had thus initiated. | ied CHAPTER Ix. LOUISA. ReEtTurN we now to that beautiful cottage in the neigh- bourhood of the ancient city of Canterbury, where we first introduced the Stanley family to the reader. Louisa, the younger sister, has already been de- scribed as one of those charming creatures whose winning grace and amiable simplicity, while ravishing the heart of the beholder, encourage no other feelings than those of the purest, tenderest, and holiest cha- racter. Unless, indeed, it be a heart that never beats save with a frantic violence of the grossest animal passions; but dread, terrible, and ferocious to an extreme must be the nature of that man who could dare to harbour a dishonouring hope or a vile intent with respect to such a being as Louisa Stanley. She was but little more than nineteen years of age,—so young, so fair, that it seemed as if heaven could never permit either time or sorrow to trace one line upon the frank and open brow of that love- iiest of its creations. Her whole form was cha- racterised by girlish symmetry and womanly ele- eance, so blended as to constitute alike the grace and the glory of her nineteen summers,—virgin modesty subduing as it were the radiance of her beauty, and bashful timidity serving as a natural veil for that loveliness the perfection of which was not dreamt of by herself. It would be impossible to conceive a more heavenly being, alike inform and mind. She was not tall— but the sylphid slenderness of her shape made her seem taller than she really was. And though of this nymph-like symmetry, she was not thin, but of exquisite proportions—her figure being characterised by that gradualand easy transition between all the con- tours and by that beautiful softness of‘ outline which realise the matchless graces of Grecian statues. The impression her appearance left upon the mind was that of exquisite beauty without the faintest tinge of voluptuousness: and lovely though she were, yet did she seem loveable only with an esthetic tender- ness and a chaste affection—not with the ardour of sensual passion or the fervid longings of desire. In a word, she was just such a being concerning whom the wish would be expressed that she might remain in her virgin purity and maiden innocence for ever. Her dark brown hair was parted above a forehead that looked the chosen seat of candour and where chastity sate enthroned in vesture of stainiess white: and the long tresses, glossy and smooth as velvet, formed as it were a frame for the charming counte- nance. Her complexion was fair—the cheeks not exactly of a rose colour, but of an animated white, so that without being absolutely pale, they were of the delicate bloom which deepens only through emotion or exercise into the vermeil of the peach. The well-cut lips, of bright coral redness, showed that she had the health of youth; sweet lips they were too—not luscious with sensuality of expression —but formed for the smiles of innocent mirth and the kisses of chastest love. The delicately pencilled but arching brows—the deep blue eyes, fringed with rn rR COL (C DOOKS (CO)