The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 155: what you’re looking at

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duties to the utmost of her ability, — though there had of late been two or three little points on which for the sake of ner dignity and self- respect she had been compelled to manifest a will of her cwn. A week had now elapsed since Mr. Casey had received from the hands of his illegitimate son Stephen Ashborne those documents which might have done him an injuryso long as they remained in the hands of Squire Ponsford. But now the usurer felt himself to be in safety and security ; and he became impatient at the delay which his plans were experiencing in reference to the mar- riage of his daughter and the Hon. Launcelot Osborne. That interview with his son Stephen Ashborne, had excited him to a degree which pro- duced a shock upon a constitution that was by no means strong. He was exceedingly indisposed several days afterwards ; and thus a week elapsed ere he began to feel that he had energy sufficient for the execution of his most favourite project. One morning, after breakfast, he desired his daughter to follow him into the little back room which he called his office. Selina looked agitated, for she full easily conjectured on what topic her father was about to address her. “« Sit’ down, Selina,” said Mr. Casey, when they were alone together. ‘You know, my dear,” he continued, “that it is my most earnest desire to behold you comfortably and honourably settled in life. Indeed certain arrangements were made I need not recapitulate them—but I must ask you—and it is not for the first time—whether you are conscious of any reason for which Laun- celot Osborne continues to absent himself from the house ?” ‘‘T have before told you, my dear father,” an- swered Selina, casting down her looks, and blush- ing at the same time, while it also seemed as if her bosom were agitated with a sigh, “that I on my part have given Mr. Osborne no cause to dis- continue his visits; but at the same time I should be very sorry if—if”—and here her voice trembled —‘ he were to continue them on my account, if he had any disinclination—or—or - Selina stopped short: she was full of confu- sion: indeed it almost seemed as if she were deeply afflicted likewise. Her father surveyed her earnestly for upwards of a minute; and then he said, “There is something, Selina, which I cannot understand in all this!—there has been more or less mystery in your conduct! What does it mean ?” The young lady remained silent; and Mr. Casey continued as follows :— ‘When in the first instance your mother and I asked you if it would be agreeable for you to re- ceive the addresses of Launcelot Osborne, you replied in the affirmative. Indeed, I think I understood from your mother’s lips that you even admitted you could love him, or that he was not indifferent to you—or something to that effect. Was it not so, Selina ?” “Yes, father—it certainly was so——lI do not attempt to deny it.” “Well,” continued the usurer, ‘‘ matters went on—the negotiations between myself and Lord Trentham took a tangible shape—and it was arranged that you should go on a certain day and at a particular hour to pay your respects to the noble parents of your intended husband. But 141 when the time came you would not go,—you would not keep the appointment! Your mother entreated—I commanded—but all in vain !—and thus was it, Selina, that for about the first time in your life you proved disobedient, wilful, and headstrong.” ‘““Do not blame me, my dear father!” inter- jected the young lady, with difficulty stifling a sob. ‘I told you that I could not go under such circumstances !” “‘ Under what circumstances ?” asked Mr. Casey sharply. ‘Three or four times I have desired you to give explanations—and you have in- variably returned me some evasive answer.” “‘Oh, my dear father,” cried Selina—‘“ could you not comprehend wherefore I shrank from giving those explanations? Ah! but I will give them now, since we are talking so seriously on the subject, and since you appear determined that it should be brought to a thorough understanding between us. I will confess that at first I was rejoiced and flattered—proud and happy, at the idea of proceeding to Trentham House, to be welcomed by Launcelot’s parents as his future wife.” ‘‘ Ah, then you really do love Launcelot?” eja- culated the usurer. A deep blush passed over Selina’s countenance ; and without answering the question, she went on somewhat hurriedly to speak in the following strain :— “When I came to reflect calmly and de- liberately—I will even say seriously and earnestly upon that appointment which was made for me to visit Lord and Lady Trentham, I found that so far from having any reason to feel flattered by it, there was every motive why I should be shocked and humiliated.” ‘Eh ? what 2” ejaculated the usurer, in mingled petulance and surprise. “Yes, certainly,” pursued Selina; ‘for now that the moment of explanation is come I will not shrink from it. Oh, my dear father! think you that I could be otherwise than chafed, galled, and humiliated when on reflection I comprehended how that haughty peer and peeress intended to receive me as a fayour and not through any love or friendship !—yes, to receive me alone—unaccom- panied by my parents, who ought to have been with me on such an occasion! And then my eyes were opened ” ‘“‘Qpened to what?” demanded her father im- patiently. Selina averted her countenance for a few mo- ments; but a burning blush was still lingering upon her cheeks as she again looked towards her sire. ‘¢ Opened to the fact,” she said, ‘‘ that Launce- lot Osborne had not sought me in marriage be- cause he loved me, but for pecuniary reasons ; and my soul revolted against the idea of being wedded on such terms. For, Oh! if those haughty parents of his were too proud to receive my father, my mother, and my brother, how could I suppose that there would be any happiness for me if ad- mitted by sufferance into such a family? And therefore I would not go to Trentham House on that occasion to see the parents of Launcelot Osborne.” “But, my dear child,” said Mr. Casey, ‘ mar- riages are not always contracted for love—the COMO oO A TL LC I A I A AS CaCO COA CSS ttn ed Nn At ssere THE YOUNG DUCHESS; OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. Colin