The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 344: what you’re looking at

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

THE BOUDOIR old dark. But at the very moment that he was thus kneeling down behind the screen, the door of the boudoir was gently opened and the Earl of Curzon made his appearance. He had performed all the details of his toilet save with respect to putting on his coat, instead of which he wore an elegant dressing-gown that had been placed in his chamber for his use. Now, had he entered the boudoir properly dressed, there would not have been any impropriety or cause of suspicion in his visit; but the fact of thus introducing himself in a dressing-gown was naturally indicative of a more than ordinary familiarity existing between himself and Venetia. Such was the thought that instantaneously flashed to her mind as he made his appearance; and she at once, with admirable self-possession, threw her arm over the screen with what to Curzon seemed a mere negligent and unpre- meditated gesture, but with a wave of her hand which to Huntingdon behind that screen was a significant intimation that he must remain concealed there. Keeping therefore in his kneeling attitude, so as to continue unseen, the baronet gently and noiselessly kissed the tips of the fingers that thus hung over that barrier which concealed him; and this little tender proceeding on his part was meant to convey to Venetia not only an assurance that her hint was understood, but that it should also be obeyed. At the same moment — for indeed all these little details in the embarrassing episode were the work of only an instant — the Earl of Curzon hastened to throw himself at the feet of Venetia, to whom he was about to pour forth his gratitude for the hours of love he had passed in her arms; but she suddenly checked the flood of language ere even a syllable had time to escape his lips, for, tapping him good-naturedly with her fan, and bending upon him an arch look, she said, ‘““T know you have come to bid me ‘ good morning,’ before you take your departure homeward; and you are now kneel- ing at my feet in mock humility — ” ‘On my honour!’ ejaculated the earl, somewhat sur- prised at a tone and manner which were rather roguishly jocular than tender and loving, as he had expected. “Not a word, my lord!”’ she again interrupted him; and with a rapid gesture she pointed toward the door, accompanying the movement with a look suddenly and COM @ LOOKS (SO)