The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 205: 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. “On the contrary, you have rendered my wife f& most important service.” “You make a mistake, sir— or my lord— whichever I ought to call you. Even if you be the Duke of Ardleigh, I know nothing of the Duchess.” “Miss Hartland,” hastily whispered Herbert, “vou are generosity personified! That child is my wife’s child—and you know it !” “Your wife’s child ?”—and Imogen opened her blue eyes wide as if with the uttermost amaze- ment. ‘ Little Annie is my child.” ‘© I know that you have hitherto borne the shame and the disgrace as if it were your own child,” responded the Duke: “I know likewise that even if you were veritably that child’s mother, you could not have behaved more kindly towards it. The Duchess has told me all this.” “Tt is very wicked for you, my lord,” said Imogen, with an air of indignation, ‘‘to come and invent such dreadful tales in reference to your own wife. If you are tired of her and want to get rid of her, adopt some manly and straight- forward course: but do not try to amass a number of falsehoods to bear against her, and likewise seek to involve me in the conspiracy. I tell you plainly, my lord, that if you call me for- ward as a witness, I will swear that the child is my own. Yes!—and if I hear that you venture any farther with these iniquitous proceedings and endeavour to do without me as a witness, I will thrust myself in advance, and I will defend the Duchess against your base imputations.” It was with an increasing admiration that the Duke of Ardleigh surveyed the actress as she thus spoke. Deeper grew the crimson flush upon her countenance so beautifully clear and transparent: lightnings flashed from her blue eyes—her ivory teeth gleamed between the lips which expressed scorn and menace—and her form seemed to dilate as if with the inspiration of a goddess while she gave vent to that vehement language. ‘¢ Admirable Imogen!” exclaimed the Duke, ‘*¢ you are indeed to be trusted with a secret! But I will show you that I am acquainted with the entire mystery, and that my intentions are not evil. The Duchess has visited you here—and I will name one particular evening. The 8th of May. ” Imogen started: for it was on that very same evening that she led the young Duchess into a dis- course which made known her secret to Launcelot Osborne. She did not think Launcelot had be- trayed it: she had every confidence in his honour: but still she felt that she herself had acted trea- cherously on that particular evening—her con- science was smiting her—and in the vague fears which it conjured up she could not help associat- ing the present visit of the Duke with the perfi- dious part she had played towards his Duchess on that. particular occasion. ‘“Yes—the 8th of May,” he repeated; “and you see therefore that I am well informed. The Duchess herself told me that she came hither. And what is more, I have all along’ been cogni- zant of the fact that she was a mother before she became my wife: but ‘it was only a few days ago that I knew where her child had been placed and where it was being reared. Now will you believe me? will you give me credit for sincerity ?” Imogen shook her head, saying, ‘‘ You have 191 all along been speaking in enigmas, and I do not understand them. JI tell you that child is mine; and if need be I will maintain it before all the world.” “And do you deny that the Duchess of Ard- leigh has ever been to this house?” inquired the Duke, “Deny it?” ejaculated Imogen. “Of course Ido! The Duchess of Ardleigh here?”—and she affected to laugh in mockery at the idea. “Again I say, Admirable Imogen!” cried the Duke. ‘You think I am playing a trick, and you will not afford me achance. It is impossible that the secret of the Duchess could be in better keeping! But look you, Imogen—I am her hus- band: and as you are the guardian of her honour, you are the guardian of mine likewise. You will permit me to thank and to reward you?” ‘‘T have already told you, my lord, you have nothing to thank me for: ‘CY shall both thank and reward you,” persisted the Duke. ‘‘ Here, Imogen, are bank-noteg to a considerable amount: they are all your’s—accept them, I beseech you.” Imogen repulsed the hand which held the notes, saying with an air of indignation, ‘‘My lord, I am not to be bribed. Did you place all the trea- sures of the world at my feet, you would not in- duce me to utter a syllable prejudicial to the cha- racter or interests of the Duchess of Ardleigh. As for this dear child, she is mine !”—and snatch- ing up little Annie, she pressed her to her bosom. Annie, who had first stared very hard at the Duke, as children are accustomed to stare upon a stranger, had gone on playing with her toys un- mindful of the scene which was taking place. She now threw her arms about the neck of the actress, on whose countenance she bestowed her innocent caresses as if it were indeed a daughter fondling its mother. ‘And you refuse to accept a sum which will so much ameliorate your position?” said the Duke, after a long pause. ‘Tam not to be bribed, my lord,” responded Imogen. ‘* Were I starving I would tell you the same thing.” ‘But you know not how large a sum is here.” “Oh, I have no doubt your Grace is very rich!” exclaimed. Miss Hartland, contemptuously : “but if you were a King—which is higher than a Duke—you would not, be able to buy me over to your iniquitous views.” ‘‘Miss Hartland,” said Herbert, impressively; “these bank-notes amount to twenty thousand pounds. Take them, I beseech you: they are your's.” “ Once for all, No, my lord! request you to depart ve Herbert moved towards the door: he placed his fingers upon the handle—he looked back. Imogen was still playing with the child, and made not 4 motion for him to remain, nor even so much as bent upon him a look expressive of regret that he should thus take his departure. It was evident she meant to let him go with his twenty thousand pounds. “For the third time, I repeat, Admirable Imo- gen!” cried the Duke, turning away from the door and hastening to accost her once more. “TI have put you fully to the test, and you have well stood it. Read this.” And now may I COMO oO PA CL LL a a CO CC A Ly Colin