The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 158: what you’re looking at

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

THE AVOWAL AND THE DEBATE 14] pany you hither, and you will introduce him by the private door, — as it 1s absolutely necessary I should see him without delay.”’ Jessica accordingly sped upon this errand, and on arriving in Grosvenor Street, she found that Lord Curzon was at home, but engaged with his solicitor on urgent business. On hearing, however, that it was Jessica who wished to say a few words to him, he immediately granted her an audience in another room, and on receiving the message which she delivered, he appeared to be uncertain how to act. The abigail urged upon him the necessity of complying with her mistress’s desire, and he gave his consent, for he not only was loath to quarrel with Venetia, but he was also anxious to hear what she might have to say, a presentiment informing him that it was relative to the transactions of the preceding night, though how Venetia purposed to interfere in them, _he was at a loss to understand. However, to be brief, he dismissed his soticitor for a couple of hours, and bidding Jessica hasten homeward, he soon afterward sallied forth and rejoined her in the neighbourhood of Carlton House. The cunning abigail speedily introduced him into the palace, and led him unobserved to Venetia’s boudoir, where he was welcomed in the most charming and flattering manner by the divinity of the place. Having bade him sit down upon the sofa, Venetia told Jessica to withdraw, but as the faithful abigail was retiring, she whispered in her ear the following rapidly uttered in- struction: ‘‘ Listen attentively for the boudoir bell, and when you hear it ring, go and tell Lord Sackville that I wish to speak to him immediately.”’ CONnnICLOo! ‘S (CO) am