The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 105: what you’re looking at

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

THE YOUNG DUCHESS; OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. 91 his figure was not characterized by any remark- able degree of symmetry. He was slender—he carried himself well; and his shape was of the average standard. But yet there was something distinguished and imposing about the man. He was dressed with the most fashionable elegance ; and there was an ease in his manner—a certain freedom of motion, of posture, and gesture, which gave him the appearance of one who felt so com- pletely at his ease as to ) bespeak him a member of the elite of Parisian society. He was not par- ticularly handsome: yet his was a countenance which would be pronounced something more than merely good-looking. It was one to which the beholder would turn to take another view. The grey eyes were vivid and variable in their ex- pression : the brows, very dark, were thick, but well divided and high arched: the dark hair seemed. to curl naturally: the glossy moustache terminated in points slightly curled: the whiskers were large, but admirably trimmed; and the Count wore that tuft of hair below the under lip which is denominated an imperial. He had a brilliant set of teeth: his nose was perfectly straight : his complexion pale, with the least tinge of sallowness. His voice was as variable in its tones as his eyes were in their expression; for he seemed to have the power of modulating it in no ordinary degree, so as to suit the sense and sig- nificancy of whatsoever he might be saying at the time. It would be fluid and dulcet when he in- vested himself with that exquisite air of true foreign politeness which he could in a2 moment assume; or it might become sardonic and taunt- ing—or coldly ironical—or impressive with its intense bitterness of accentuation. As for his age, the stockbroker judged it to be midway between thirty and forty—though it might well be a year or two more or less. Such was the personage who had thus so singu- larly introduced himself to Mr. Warren at eleven o'clock at night ; for this was the hour indicated by the time-piece on the mantel. It seemed as if the Count maintained silence for some two or three minutes, and affected to be taking a leisurely survey of the apartment, in order to allow Mr. Warren an opportunity to contemplate the appear- ance of his visitor. ‘“‘Tt seems, then,” said the stockbroker with a polite bow, “that I have the honour of speaking to Count Mandeville >” ‘“‘ Count Hippolyte Mandeville, at your service,” was the reply. ‘At my service ?” said the stockbroker. “On the contrary, I should presume that it is I who must hold myself to be at your service, Count.” ‘We shall be of mutual service,” rejoined Mandeville, with a look of mysterious signifi- cancy. ‘“‘Be kind enough to explain yourself. But Ah !” added the stockbroker, ‘ permit me to ob- serve that you speak English with a remarkable fluency and accuracy.” “No wonder. I was educated in England— and I am as well acquainted with all your manners and customs, as I am with those of my own native country. But now to the point, Mr. Warren. I require your assistance in certain matters—and you require mine.” Warren started ; and then ejaculated, “I re- quire your's ?” “Yes, truly. A man who is in difficulties, always needs the assistance of a friend.” ‘* Difficulties?” and then the stockbroker be- came pale as death, as his eyes again fell upon the letters which lay on the table. ‘* Yes—difficulties,” repeated the Count. ‘ You talk in your sleep, my dear Mr. Warren. Per- haps you did not know it before: but now that I tell you of it, you will be on your guard for the future. Never take a nap in the presence of another person, or in a room where you may chance to be intruded upon.” _ Warren gazed upon Mandeville with a half- frightened, half-stupefied look: he knew not what to make of his extraordinary visitor. ‘“* Doubtless you went to sleep with the con- tents of thdse letters uppermost in your mind,” continued the Count, with an air and tone of easy confidence ; “‘ and thus in your sleep you ren- dered me as well acquainted with your troubles and apprehensions as if I had perused the letters for myself.” Warren was almost inclined to vociferate forth in an enraged tone, ‘And you did read thosé letters while I slept !"—but he thought it better to restrain himself; and witb a forced calmness he inquired, ‘“‘ To what is all this to lead, Count Mandeville ?” ‘“‘ Listen to me,” was the response. “ You stand on the verge of destruction—and I can save you. You are overwhelmed with difficulties —and I can extricate you. You dread the visits of certain clamorous individuals to-morrow at your office—and I can make them each and all grovel at your feet, imploring you to retain the sums the restitution of which they were first de- termined to enforce.” ‘“‘ Good heavens! who are you?” asked Warren, in utter bewilderment. ‘¢ Did you not take me for a Man-Devil ?”— and the Count now laughed in that peculiar strain of sardonism which made one shudder to hear him. ‘Oh, you are welcome to your jest,” exclaimed Warren, ‘if you will only convince me-——But, good God! what am I doing ?” he interrupted himself, at the same time turning pale with dis- may. “I have made admissions !-—they are tantamount to confessions !—and you a complete stranger!” “Stop! I will place you perfectly at your ease,” interjected the Count. “I told you that our services are to be mutual. I have three dis- tinct favours to demand at your hand, and in return for which I will perform all that I have promised.” “Name your demands,” said the stockbroker eagerly ; for he longed to enter more deeply into a business which promised such important results for himself. ‘“¢ A lady bearing the name of Ethel Trevor, or Fraser, will call upon you to-morrow.” “How do you know this 2?” ‘““No matter. Itis sufficient that I have stated the fact. Now understand me,” proceeded the Count: “TI have conceived for that woman one of those sudden passions which some people term love at first sight, and which perhaps do full well merit the name: and this passion must be gratified. You will help to hand over that beau- teous creature into my possession.” COMO oO SS Colin