The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 210: what you’re looking at

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e 196 te THE YOUNG DUCHESS; OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. a ae a a a said Mildred thoughtfully. ‘‘Why were you with him yesterday ?” she suddenly demanded. “IT met him by accident,” responded Mande- ville; ‘and scarcely had we begun to converse together when you appeared round the corner.” ‘‘'Yes—and you may be well assured,” said Mildred bitterly, “that this also was by acci- dent.” “You stood transfixed to the spot,” observed Mandeville. . ““Yes—on beholding you. You are my evil genius!” added Mildred, with a tone and look of bitterest reproach. ‘Why are you haunting me now? and why is Count Olonetz likewise hanging about at the same time ?” “TY will answer you candidly, Mildred,” said Mandeville. ‘I wished to see you for one or two reasons, which I will explain presently. I should have spoken to you yesterday ; but to tell you the truth, I also was seized with astonishment on be- holding you; and then you disappeared so sud-. denly that I had not time to recover from my amazement ere you were gone. I was now walk- ing about with the hope of meeting you again ; and behold! we do meet. As for Olonetz, I pledge you my soul that he was not just now at the end of the street through any understanding with ime. Besides, you saw that he did not come near us— but he almost instantaneously disappeared from our view.” Mildred reflected for a few moments; and then she said, ‘‘We were just now speaking of peace or war.” “Well ?” interjected Mandeville inquiringly. ‘And you,” continued Mildred, “in recom- mending peace, threw at me the name of Count Olonetz as if it were a menace that you were thus hurling at my head.” ‘t ‘We were speaking of peace or war,” said Man- devile, accentuating his words. “If you decide for war, the proclamation of hostilities will as a matter of course render me implacable: I should leave no stone unturned to overtake you with my vengeance. The Russian authorities know that they can rely upon me and that the information I give them is correct. Well then, a single word whispered by my lips in the ear of Count Olonetz, would prove fatal to you! You would be seized —aye, evenin this free country !—seized, I tell you !—carried on board a Russian vessel—and,” added Mandeville impressively, “the affair of Bombay would be enacted all over again in Lon- don! Now you understand why I just now sig- nificantly pointed out to you the person of Count Olonetz at the very instant when you appeared to be threatening me with warfare.” Mildred had quailed visibly before the threaten- ing language which Mandeville addressed to her ; but quickly regaining a complete self-possession, she said, ‘‘And what advantage shall I gain by consenting to terms of peace with you ?” ‘* Every advantage,” responded Mandeville. “Look at my conduct at Madrid a couple of years ago! I assured Olonetz that you were no longer dangerous—and he negotiated with you instead of persecuting you. You were in poverty—and he sent you gold. All that was through me. If IT had breathed a different tale in his ear, his whole conduct towards you would have been utterly . different. Now, therefore, you may comprehend ' what would be my policy here in London if you | and I proclaim articles of peace. I see that you are again poor,” continued the Count, sweeping his dark eyes over Mildred’s dress; ‘‘and I will induce Count Olonetz to negotiate again with you and replenish your purse.” Mildred reflected; and then as an ironical sinile appeared upon her lips, she said, “I think that you have your own good reasons for preferring peace to war.” Mandeville slightly shrugged his shoulders, and then caressed his glossy moustache. ‘*T do not know what proceedings you may be embarked in at present, in the British metropolis,” continued Mildred: “‘I do not even know what name you ‘bear: but beholding you as I do, dressed in the extreme of fashion—daintily per- fumed—embellished with costly jewellery—and evidently maintaining a certain appearance, I have no doubt that it is absolutely necessary for your interests that your antecedents should remain com- pletely unknown.” ~. * Well;”’ said Mandeville, with a smile half bland, half mocking, “ and what if I do not think it worth while to deny the truth of the conjectures you have just set forth?” ‘You see, therefore,” proceeded Mildred, ‘‘ that it isin my power to take the bifterest revenge against you for your villanous conduct to me at Bombay.” “But you will xot take that vengeance, Mil- dred,” was the calmly given response. ‘“* And why not ?” she ejaculated. ‘“‘ Remember that this is England—and if I go before a magis- trate and claim his protection against the Russian Ambassador, that protection will be granted!” Mandeville smiled as if in a pitying manner, and said, ‘“‘ You are mistaken, Mildred. The magistrate would treat you as a lunatic, and Count Olonetz would not even be troubled with a message upon the point: But he would still re- main potent to work you the most terrible mis- chief. You know that Russian power extends itself by various means over the entire world,— displaying itself openly where it is enabled to do so, or working in secrecy where stealthiness be- comes expedient. Violence or intrigue !—those are the two phases of its tremendous policy. How, then, could you, poor weak fluttering bird, escape from the meshes of that fearful net if it were spread out to catch you?” Again Mildred shuddered visibly :—and no wonder! for she thought of all the horrors of Siberia’s eternal winter, and of the terrible suffer- ings to be endured by those who are hurried for thousands and thousands of miles through the hyperborean snows of that awful clime. Mandeville saw his advantage, and said, ‘You know as well as I, Mildred, whether this picture of Russian power be true or exaggerated. As for myself, I shall accept warfare if you choose: but I shall not take the trouble to deny that I prefer peace. At the same time I will at once prove to you that I am no coward in the matter. Listen! Here in London I am Count de Mandeville. I am a French nobleman of ancient family and great wealth. Inquire at the French Embassy— and the Ambassador will not deny it. Go to my stockbroker, Mr. Warren, in the City—and he will unhesitatingly confirm the report relative to my fortune. Now you know what I am in Eng- land, Mildred. Perhaps you will tell me that a COMO Colin