The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 112: what you’re looking at

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

REUNION OF THE PARTY OF SIX — 95 to meet the prince, who shook hands with him as cordially as ever, despite the angry declaration which he had made to Venetia, the night of her visit to Carlton Palace, to the effect that the colonel was a sneaking scoundrel and would do well never to show himself in his royal presence again. Thus was it, however, that the royal presence was now vouch- safed at the colonel’s dwelling, notwithstanding the menace alluded to. After exchanging a few words with Malpas on ordinary topics, and without the slightest mention of Venetia’s name, the prince regent suddenly turned toward Leveson, saying, ‘‘ By the bye, my dear marquis, I have a few words to whisper in your ear,—on a political matter; and I hope Malpas will excuse my rudeness in taking you aside.”’ “Your Royal Highness is the master here as elsewhere,”’ said the colonel; and, caressing his moustache, he proceeded to join the Earl of Curzon and Sir Douglas Huntingdon. The prince took Leveson’s arm and lounged with him toward the end of the room; then, in a low tone, he said, ‘“‘ What the devil is the meaning of all this? ”’ “ T cannot understand it,’’ responded the marquis. ‘“‘ It seems tolerably clear that Malpas has achieved a triumph; and I believe it, because when Venetia came to my house she told me that the colonel had made her acquainted with all the particulars of the love-campaign.”’ ‘“She told me precisely the same thing,’ observed the prince; “‘ but she spoke of Malpas at the time in terms of contempt and disgust.”’ “That may have been an artifice,’ said Lord Leveson. “Malpas assures me he shall produce the most undeniable evidence of his success, but what the evidence is he would not explain at present. Venetia must be as deceptive and designing as she is beautiful.”’ “T really begin to think so,” observed the prince. “ It was my intention to cut Malpas for ever; but when I received his note of invitation to this banquet, and understood the meaning it implied, I was positively astounded. I therefore resolved to suspend my opinion altogether until the events of this evening should have transpired. But I am seriously afraid that Sackville has made a great fool of himself, and is inveigled into a match with an unprincipled adventuress,— CONNICLOO© <S) (C(O)