The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 212: what you’re looking at

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i} ' purpose. | port, Hendon Court, and at once sent to the post. 198 THE YOUNG DUCHESS ; to some picture-gallery which they were about to visit. He assented; aud thus it was not until a couple of hours later that he called upon Count Olonetz in Grosvenor Square. By that time Lady Langport and Ethel had taken their departure; and the wily diplomatist breathed not a single syllable to Mandeville in reference to all the startling incidents that had been occurring. He remained silent until the other had spoken. ‘‘T have seen Mildred, my lord,” said Count Mandeville. ‘‘T know it,” was the reply. ‘I happened to observe you from the end of the street. I thought it better to leave you in conference with her than to interfere at such a crisis. What have you to report ?” ‘She is reasonable, my lord, " answered Mande- ville: ‘she onlp requires a sum of money, and she will depart at, once from the British metropolis. What I would advise, is that your Excellency should give hr a few pounds to find her way to Liverpool an thence to New York, and that a | OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. reaching New York, you will apply to the Rus- sian Consul, and he will pay a considerable sum into your hands,” ‘’ Have you any further commands ?” said Mil- dred, as she took the bank-note: “for commands they really are !” ‘‘ | have nothing further to communicate,” re- (Hp A, plied Mandeville,—“ unless it be,” he added, in a ! mysterious whisper and with a significant look, ““ to advise you to follow implicitly and without delay the instructions of the Russian Ambas- sador. And now farewell, Mildred.” She made no answer, but turned and walked rapidly away. She was convinced that no trea~ chery was now intended her, but that the object alike of Olonetz and Mandeville was to get her away from England as soon as possible ; and she resolved to follow the instructions that had been forwarded her. She retraced her way to her lodgings, which were situated in an obscure street in the neighbourhood of Golden Square. A meanly dressed person, carrying a bundle, larger sum should be made payable to her on her | and looking like a journeyman tailor taking home arrival in thz States.” “The plan is a good one,” said Olonetz. presume tnerefore that she has given you her address in. order that you may see her again ?” “No my lord: she is full of suspicion,” re- joined Mandeville. ‘‘ She has made an appoint- meni to meet me to-morrow.’ “ When and where ?” demanded the Ambas- sador. “In Cork Street, at noon, my lord.” ‘‘ Good,” said Olonetz: then taking from a pocket-book a bank-note of fifty pounds, he added, ‘You will be pleased to give her this, and tell her that if she should make up her mind to go to the United States, she can signify the same to me by some means or another, in which case I will make ample provision for her. But look you, Count Mandeville !” added Count Olonetz sternly. “When you meet Mildred, you will simply give her that bank-note and deliver this message: but you will not follow her, nor make any endeavour to discover the place of her abode—nor molest her in the slightest degree.” Mandeville bowed humbly, saying, ‘“‘ Your Ex- cellency’s order shall be obeyed. And my own secrets, my lord ?” “Did I not promise you yesterday, when we met,” exclaimed Olonetz, somewhat disdainfully, ‘“‘ that those secrets should be kept ?” Again Mandeville bowed, and quitted the apart- ment. Count Olonetz then sat down and penned a note, to the effect that at one o’clock on the | following day he should be enabled to communi- cate the address of Mildred to Lady Langport, | if her ladyship would either call or send for that This note was addressed to Lady Lang- On the ensuing day, precisely at the hour of noon, Mildred was at the place of appointment ; and Count Mandeville was there likewise. “What intelligence have you brought me?” ' asked Mildred. ‘““T have succeeded according to my promise Here is a bank-note for fifty pounds; and within twenty-four hours you must be at Liverpool. Thence you will write a letter to Count Olonetz, in order to prove to him that you are actually there and about to embark for the United States. On | his work, followed Mildred from Cork Street as [| far as the house in which she temporarily resided. Not satisfied with having traced her thither, the shabby-looking man made an inquiry at a shop opposite; and receiving the information he sought, he hurried away. He bent his steps towards Grosvenor Square—entered the mansion of, the Russian Ambassador—quickly divested himself of his shabby suit—and assuming his proper apparel, stood in a few minutes in the presence of his superior ; for he was none other than one of the attachés. ‘“‘ Here is the address, my lord;” and he laid a piece of paper upon the table. ‘“* A person named Lady Langport will either send or call at one o’clock,” said Olonetz. ‘ Be you on the look-out and give that address.” The attaché bowed and retired. A few minutes before one a carriage drew up at the Ambassador’s house ;. and the attaché has- tened to speak to the lady who was inside the vehicle. ‘“‘ Have I the honour of addressing Lady Lang- port ?” “No, sir,” responded Ethel—for she was the occupant of the carriage: ‘her ladyship is indis- posed, and has sent me.” ‘For what purpose, madam ?” asked the altaché, with true diplomatic caution. “ For a particular address,” rejoined Ethel. ‘You need not be afraid to give it to me: I am Mrs. Trevor—and Count Olonetz knows my name.” “Tere is the address, madam :’—and the at- taché, having handed the paper, bowed and with- drew. Ethel ordered the carriage to drive into Golden Square, where she alighted, and thence proceeded on foot to the house indicated by the slip of paper. She knocked at the door, and inquired of the landlady, who answered in person, whether Mrs. Townshend was at home ?—for it was by this name Mildred was passing, as the Russian attaché had ascertained by means of his inquiries at the opposite shop. ‘‘ Yes, ma’am,” was the response. floor, if you please.” To the second floor did Ethel accordingly as- “ Second oO conniclooolkks.conn