The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 203: what you’re looking at

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

et a rc SS SSS SSS SPSS Uh ps fs is sO? THE YOUNG DUCHESS; OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. rr a 189 take any step that will prove to your innocent daughter that you still live, and lead her to make those inquiries which can only result in the full development of your shame and in the engender- ing of a source of sorrow and affliction for her ?’— It was thus that the attaché addressed himself to Mildred; and she seemed deeply affected by all that he said to her. In the course of the conver- sation which ensued, Mildred stated that she had heard of her mother having perished in the Neva at the time of the accident ; and she added that as she had not a relative or a friend left on the face of the earth to whom she could apply for Succour, she cared not whither she went nor what became of her. The attaché, who had full powers from me to act as he thought fit, but who was also instructed to take his measures promptly and at the moment, proposed that she should depart for the United States of America. She assented : ample funds were furnished her—and she disap- peared from Madrid. On that occasion I did not see her: the negotiation was conducted en- tirely by means of my attaché; and thus I con- tinued to believe that it was still the same Mil- dred whom I had seen at Constantinople. Just now, Lady Langport, when I was speaking to Mrs. Trevor, and some allusion was made to the fact that my name was familiar to her who was once known as Miss Malcolm, methought that reference only was intended to that negotiation at Madrid ; and therefore you may conceive how I was astonished when I found from what Mrs. Trevor said, that the design I had formed at Con- stantinople in reference to the steamship had transpired and was indeed no secret.” — Lady Langport was buried in deep thought, from which she abruptly awakened, ejaculating, ‘“‘And thus poor Mildred disappeared from Ma- drid? and that, you tell me, was about two years ago—in, 1845 ? Did she proceed to America ?” ““I know not,” rejoined Olonetz: “I never heard of her again until yesterday ; and then she was pointed out to me in Regent Street. I had not the least idea that she was in England.” ““ And now, my lord,” asked Lady Langport, ‘““what are your intentions? what are your wishes? You said just now that perhaps the business which you were seeking to transact with her in a direct manner, might under the altered circumstances which at present exist, be accom- plished by me as her mother ?” “Yes,” said Count Olonetz: then, after a few moments’ reflection he observed, ‘“ I see that it is necessary to tell you everything. Know, then, that the Grand Duke is beneath this roof—the Princess Roxana also is here ” ‘““My grandchild!” murmured Lady Langport, clasping her hands. “Yes,” continued Olonetz; ‘ he who was once the husband of Mildred is here beneath this roof ; but he does not know that Mildred isin England. Ihave kept that circumstance from his know- ledge. Now then, madam, cannot you comprehend how it is my object—aye, my immediate object, to induce Mildred to depart hence—to flee away from a city where she might chance to encounter him who loved her in other times, but who loves her now no more? By such a meeting many painful feelings might be resuscitated—many old wounds opened ; and then too, it were impossible —aye, impossible,” added the Ambassador vehe- mently, ‘‘ that Mildred could be allowed to pre- sent herself to her child, even if she were mad enough and wicked enough to entertain the idea. Listen, mtadam! Any sum that your daughter Mildred may require——” “She shall not want for wealth, my lord !” ejacu- lated Lady Langport. ‘All that I possess shall be her’s!—or at least she shall share it with me! My arms shall be extended to welcome the un- happy wanderer home. I will soothe her for all her misfortunes—I will lead her into penitence for her frailties. She shall cease to be an object of fear or suspicion to the Russian Government.” ‘* She has long ago ceased to be an object of fear,” replied Olonetz, ‘‘ because the Grand Duke entertains not the slightest doubt in reference to her profligacies. But I do not deny that it would be a matter of inconvenience and a subject of grievous scandal, if this woman should start from her obscurity and suddenly proclaim her past re- lations with a Prince of the Imperial family, Nay, more—it would be trying to the feelings of the young, artless, and amiable Princess Roxana to dis- cover suddenly that her mogher still lives, and to be initiated into the reasons which must ever main-~ tain a wide gulf betwixt that profligate mother and this innocent young daughter! Lady Lang- port,” added Count Olonetz, “I have spoken openly and candidly :—circumstances have com- pelled me to do so, even at the risk of wounding your feelings to an inordinate degree.” ‘Leave Mildred to me, my lord,” cried Lady Langport; ‘‘and, Oh! I will answer on her ac-~ count that everything shall take place as you can wish! You do not know where she lives ?” ““No,” replied Olonetz. ‘*But methinks you said,” added her ladyship, “that you might possibly lay your hand upon a person who can tell you ?” ‘Count Mandeville,” said the Ambassador, in a Musing tone. ‘‘T have heard of that gentleman,” said Lady Langport: “‘he isa French nobleman lately ar- rived in this country—and he moves in the highest Sage What can he know of Mildred, or she of him ” ‘“‘ At all events,” said Olonetz evasively, ‘‘ Man- deville does know something about her—and I will see whether he can ascertain her abode. But if not, I promise you, madam, that within three days I will discover it. If it were in any city upon the Continent, where they have a system of police spies and passports, I would ascertain the point in three hours. But here, in the British metropolis, where there are none of those auxili- aries, we are compelled to proceed differently. Favour me with your address, madam, and in due course I will communicate with you.” “T will now take my departure,” said Lady Langport, as she placed her card upon the table. “Your friend Mrs. Trevor is still here,” an- swered the Ambassador, “and she shall follow you to your carriage.” Olonetz then bowed, with some slight demon- stration of friendliness; and he rang the bell as Lady Langport issued from the room. A footman escorted her to the carriage which Lady Belgrave had lent her; and almost immediately afterwards Ethel was likewise conducted forth from the mansion. She had been already informed by Count Olonetz — who had conducted her down conniclooolk Colin