The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 185: what you’re looking at

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

THE YOUNG DUCIIESS ; OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. 171 found herself face to face with an individual of imposing appearance. He was a man whose age could not possibly have been less than seventy-five: he was tall, and stooped slightly: his countenance was expressive of intelligence—age had not dimmed the mental fire in the eyes that gazed so steadily; and there was an air about him which bespoke firmness of character, severity of disposition, and a certain degree of haughtiness, the combined effects of which were more or less subdued by that gloss which a polished manner and a distinguished look threw over ail. He was dressed in a complete suit of black, with a single-breasted surtout coat buttoned nearly up to the neck, but the upper part being just sufficiently open to display a dia- mond pin evidently of immense value. There was nothing of the old Jeaw about this personage ; but yet his entire toilet-—the well-brushed hat, the gloves fitting with precision, the well-shaped polished boots, without a speck of dust upon them, and the admirably eut garments—all denoted an individual of refined tastes. We should add that he wore a thick grey moustache; but the hair of his head was quite white and so thin that the flesh could be seen through, or rather beneath it. Such was the personage who stopped Ethel in the manner already described; and as the young lady was too unsophisticated and pure-minded to be ever ready to jump at unfavourable conclusions, as so many people are, she did not at once resent the circumstance before it was explained. It was therefore only with mingled curiosity and respect that she looked at the stranger, who on his own side was for the moment contemplating her with attention. “You will pardon me, young lady,” he said, now raising his hat and bowing with what may be described as a dignified politeness—somewhat cold and lofty perhaps, but on the other hand utterly without the semblance of a libertine super- ciliousness,—“‘ you will pardon me, young lady, for the liberty I have taken in stopping you, but I should very much like to have a few minutes’ conversation with you on asubject that to me and to others——is of the utmost importance.” This distinguished -looking personage spoke English with a perfeet accuracy, but with a foreign accent. Indeed he was evidently a foreigner. “Surely, sir, there must be some mistake ?” said Ethel; “it is impossible there can be any subject of such importance wherein I can either be interested or enabled to give you any informa- tion.” ‘‘Pardon me,” interrupted the stranger. ‘I know not whether you may be inclined to deal candidly on the subject I know not even on what terms you may be with certain persons whose images are now uppermost in my mind: but when I look at you pardan me, young lady, for say- ing that there is something so candid and inge- nuous in the expression of your countenance a “‘Believe me, sir,” said Ethel, “that if there were really any topic of such importance whereon I might be enabled to speak, I should deal with it in a sincere and straightforward manner. In this you only do me justice. But you evidently mis- take me, sir, for some one else.” “It is true I know not who you are,” said the gentleman; ‘‘but let me prove to you in a few words that I am not speaking erroneously, nor at A TT Yt A a random. You are acquainted with a person” the stranger paused —.correeted himself by sub~ stituting the term “a lady”—and then went on to say, ‘‘a lady who once bore the name of Mal- eolm. What she ealls herself now I know not.” Ethel. started visibly ; and her countenance, always so beautiful, became still more interesting and attractive as it suddenly grew animated with surprise and curiosity. ‘ Ah!” said the stranger—and a smile, though scarcely perceptible, for an instant wavered upon his thin lips,—“‘I thought that I should be en- abled to convince you that I am not speaking wide of the purpose. And now let me add that you are also acquainted with a person who bears the name of Count Mandeville.” Again Ethel started with evident surprise; and this time an exclamation burst from her lips. Yes, sir,” she cried: “it was only just this moment that J met “T know it,” interrupted the stranger: and now the smile was more perceptible and more sig- nificant, as it wayered upon his thin lips. ‘‘ But might I ask you to fayour me with a brief inter- view ?—for it is impossible we can continue to diseourse here in the street.” “Sir,” interrupted Ethel, drawing herself up with a becoming feminine dignity, ‘I have no place to which I can ask you to accompany me; and moreover, it is not probable that I can have anything of importance to communicate to you. With Count de Mandeville my acquaintance is very, very slight. With the other—the lady whom you describe as having once borne the name of Maleolm ‘‘Do not be offended, madam,” interrupted the stranger, at the request which I made, to the effect that you would grant me an interview else- where. I am incapable of insulting you—and all the more so, indeed, from the manner in which you have just vindicated your feminine dignity when for an instant you supposed it to be assailed. My carriage is close at hand—the Countess is seated in it “The Countess?” repeated Ethel. ‘Ah, I forgot,” said the old man, with another partial smile, ‘“‘ you do not know who I am :” then fixing his éyes with an earnest significancy upon her, he inquired, ‘‘Do you ever happen to have heard mention made of the name of Count Olonetz ?” Ethel started. Here was a fresh surprise for her To be sure! she had heard of Count Olo- netz! Was not he the Russian Ambassador who upwards of fifteen years back had plotted so trea- cherously to carry off Lady Langport—or rather Miss Malcolm as she ¢hen called herself—from Constantinople? For a moment Ethel was smit- ten with an uneasy feeling in the presence of this man who produced upon her mind the impression of one who wielded great powers and used them unscrupulously. “You have heard my name mentioned,” he said. ‘I am not surprised at it. And now will you grant me the favour I ask? My residence is at no great distance—indeed it is close at hand—in Grosvenor Square -and the Countess will give you a kind welcome; for it is impossible from your appearance to think otherwise than well of you.” Ethel was on the point of giving a decided 7 aaa COMO ep YN Wn) Colin