The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 156: what you’re looking at

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

142 days of romance are gone by—people think only of ensuring for their sons and daughters a good social position ” “Oh, my dear father,” interrupted the young lady, “T beseech you not to talk to me in this strain! I hoped that you would not humiliate yourself nor sacrifice me !” “Silly girl! Why, you just now - confessed— or at least admitted by your silence when'I put the question point- -blank, that you da love Laun- celot Osborne.” Again the vivid carnation mantled upon Selina’s countenance; and she said, “ But if, father, he does not love me ?” Mr. Casey laughed ironically ; and then he re- plied, ‘ Launcelot is a good young man—he loves his parents—-and for their sake he will love you. Never mind what I mean . “But I understand you, father !” cried Selina. “ You mean that Lord and Lady Trentham are in your power, and that Launcelot will sacrifice him- self to effect the salvation of his parents.” ‘“‘ Well, if such be my meaning, Selina, it is for you to act as an obedient daughter and a prudent young woman. You will acquire station and name—in time you will become a peeress , “But if I marry one who does not love me, and into a family that will be ashamed of ime,’ exclaimed Selina vehemently, ‘“ of what aval will be all the advantages of patrician rank 2” ‘Enough of this argument!” interrupted the usurer. “ Will you tell me, Selina, how it is that for the last fortnight or more. Mr. Osborne has discontinued his visits ?” “T cannot tell you, father.” “Do you mean you will not 2” “‘T mean that I have had no explanations with Mr. Osborne,” rejoined Selina, with her accus- tomed mildness. ‘But I will confess that I am not sorry he has remained away—the cessation of his visits has proved a relief to my mind— although “ And now, Selina, we must come to the point,” said her father curtly. ‘‘I wrote yesterday to Lord Trentham—and I have no doubt his son will be here presently. I am resolved that this match shall take place. I rely upon your filial obedience: I am not going to suffer any maudlin reasons of love or nonsense to interfere with these arrange- ments which have been made for the ensurance of your wellfare. It is my duty as a parent to pro- vide for my children; and it is not for them to dictate to me the sort of provision they wish to have made on their behalf. You can now retire, Selina, and reflect well upon all that I have just been saying to you.” There was a sternness in Mr. Casey’s tone, as well as a, resoluteness in his look—aye, and a harshness in his very manner, which forbade the Lope that any further remonstrance, representa- tion, or entreaty on Selina’s part would avail to move him from his purpose. She accordingly re- tired from his presence and sped to her own chamber. She knew how useless it would be to endeavour to enlist her mother in her cause; for the ambition of the maternal parent was as im- moveably set upon this aristocratic alliance as that of her father. As for falling back upon her brother, this was out of the question :—he would only laugh at her for what he would term her stupid punctiliousness, and he would bid her a pet But he did not : THE YOUNG DUCHESS; OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY, marry Launcelot whether he loved her or not. The poor girl felt completely and utterly friend- less; and retiring to her chamber, she gave way to a flood of tears. Her surcharged heart was thus relieved; and she was now more competent to look her position in the face and deliberate upon the course which she ought to pursue; She loved’ Launcelot— dearly loved him! It was not so much the beauty of his person as the amiability of his disposition and the intelligence of his mind which had made an impression upon her heart. Oh, if he only loved her in return, how happy should she be! of this she felt convinced; and with the delicate sensitiveness of her own mind, she thought she could understand how it was pos- sible that Launcelot should never be enabled to love her, She fancied that he would recoil from any position into which it was sought to drive him perforce! But though Selina, loved him so tenderly, and could have even’ worshipped the very ground on which he trod,—yet she was far too high-minded, too well-principled, and too deeply imbued with a proper delicacy of feeling to accept him under, existing circumstances as a husband. A couple of hours passed; and it was approach- ing one o’clock in the afternoon, when a maid- servant tapped at the door’ of Selina’s chamber, and informed her that the Hon. Mr. Osborne was in thé‘d¥awing-room. Selina liad by this time perfectly fecovered her | self-possession : she was pale, it is true; but upon her countenance there were no traces of recent grief, as she walked with a firm step down the staircase to the’ apartment , where Launcelot was awaiting her presence. “Phe young gentleman was pacing to and fro in the drawing-room when Selina entered ; and she at once saw that he was labouring under a vio- lent agitation. Some few moments elapsed ere he noticed her presence; and then, imstead of hastening towards her, he stopped short, whilé his countenance “became very pals, his lips quivered, and he trembled visibly from head to foot. ‘“‘Mr. Osborne,” said Selina, closing the door behind her, and accosting him with a modest dignity of demeanour, ‘‘ you need not labour under any excitement on beholding me. You have no apologies to offer for any supposed neglect on your part: you need not commence by explaining wherefore your visits have ceased for a petiod ;—for, in plain. terms, everything is at an end between you and me!” Launcelot gave a start of amazement :—for a moment an expression of wild hope swept ovet his countenance; but the next instant it was succeeded by a look of doubt and sadness—and he was evidently under the influence of varied feelings. ‘You say that everything is at an end betweett us, Selina?” he cried; “but I do not under- stand “T have made up my mind to speak frankly and candidly to you,” she interrupted him ; “for this is no subject for a fastidious punctiliousness : it is one on which I, although of the softer sex, have as much right to speak resolutely and unreservedly as you yourself can have.” “No doubt, Selina! no doubt!” said Laun- celot, wondering more and more to. what issue COMO YN Wn) Colin