The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 319: what you’re looking at

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

302 THE COURT OF LONDON the notes into the hand of the Earl of Curzen. This ma- noeuvre was of course unperceived by everybody else; and the earl, after flinging a look expressive of fervid gratitude upon her ladyship, quitted the room. _ In a few minutes he returned; and she read in his looks the ineffable delight which filled his soul. She accordingly understood full well that he had sought an opportunity to read her billet, and that he could know not_a greater happi- ness than that of complying with its contents. In a short time Sir Douglas Huntingdon rose from the table, declaring that “‘ he was in no humour to play at cards to-night: ’’ and the prince regent accordingly desired the Earl of Curzon to join the whist party again. To this request, which was a command when coming from royalty, the nobleman immediately yielded; and Sir Douglas went and placed himself by the side of Venetia, who had taken a chair at some little distance. Watching her opportunity, when the card-players were most intent on their game, Lady Sackville slipped the other note into the baronet’s hand; and soon afterward, it being now past midnight, she retired to her own chamber. CONNIE OO KS (E(0)