The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 221: what you’re looking at

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ep a GR THE YOUNG DUCHESS; OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY, taking, had only sprung from interested considera- tions, no matter whether they were more on little Alfred’s account than on her own. “T am afraid that I have offended you,” said Lady Langport, gently and entreatingly : for she comprehended not all that was passing in Ethel’'s bosom; “but pray forgive me, and let us not dwell upon the subject. Accept my thanks—my best, sincerest thanks—for the mission you have just accomplished to my daughter. And now, dear Ethel, if you would be so kind as to begin by intimating to the domestics, as if quite ina casual way, that a sister has been providentially restored to me——” “ Pray go and join her!” ejaculated Ethel has- tily. ‘You have a thousand explanations yet to give—or at least, you and Mildred must have countless things to say to each other after so long a separation !” “ But one word, Ethel!” said Lady Langport. * You did not answer me with regard to that re- quest which I made—— “Ah, there is Mildred’s voice on the stairs !” cried Ethel. ‘She is asking for me! she is in- quiring for my room!” “Go, go, Efhel !—go, dear Ethel, and see what she requires. But remember— remember, my sweet young friend”—and Lady Langport fixed a peculiar look- upon Mrs. Trevor, — ‘“‘ remember that you never allow Mildred to penetrate into the mysteries”—and she glanced in the direction of the dressing’-room. Ethel gave no reply, but hastened out of the chamber. ‘Where is Mrs. Trevor? which is her apart- ment? will any one show me ?”—it was thus that Mildred’s voice had been heard exclaiming upon the stairs. “Yes, ma’am,” said a female servant, hurrying up after her. “J will-show you.” ‘“‘T rang the drawing-room bell,” cried Mildred petulantly, ‘and no one answered the summons!” “‘T am sorry, madam,” said the maid respect- fully, ‘“ but the bell could not have rung, by some accident—and it was only when I heard you call- in g bh ‘Well, never mind,” said Mildred. Ah, here is Mrs. Trevor herself! your room, Ethel ?” “* No—that is her ladyship’s.” ““ My sister's, you mean :—my sister's!” cried Mildred pointedly, for the behoof of the female servant. ‘ Well, which is your room, Ethel ?” “Be kind enough to follow me,” said Mrs. Trevor: and she led Mildred to her own cham- ber. ‘*T tell you what I want,” said Mildred. “You see that my costume is not exactly fitted for an elegant drawing-room :”—and she burst forth into that half bitter, half mocking laugh which it did Ethel so much harm to hear. “So you will be kind enough to get my mo—sister 1 mean ”—and here she laughed again, with a sort of heartless, callous, reckless gaiety,—yes, my sister to lend me one of her dresses till I can get my wardrobe replenished by a fashionable milliner. My sister” —and she kept on emphasizing the word—‘ is either somewhat stouter than I am, or else she makes herself up to that gorgeous embonpoint ; but nevertheless, I daresay I can make one of her dresses fit me for the present. So I will wait here “Where Is that ee ee or what is better still, you can let me know which apartment I am to occupy.” “TI will inquire,” said Ethel. “This is’a nice rocm of your's,” dred, looking slowly around her. door ” ‘Leads to a dressing-room,” interjected Ethel. ‘‘ Come with me, if you please—and I will show you to your own chamber.” “I thought you were going to inquire first. I can remain here while you are gone.” Ethel recollected that the door of the dressing- room was locked on the other side; and even if it were not, she knew that all the cosmetics and mysterious accessories of her ladyship’s toilet were secured in the drawers and the bureau. She therefore hesitated no longer to leave Mildred in that chamber while she went to rejoin Lady Lang- port. “Take whichever dresses you fancy will suit her,” said her ladyship when the message was communicated to her. Ethel did as she was desired; and then, having learnt which chamber was destined for Mildred’s reception, she sped back to her own room. “' Now if you will follow me,” she said, ‘I will show you where you are to sleep.” Mildred followed her accordingly; but upon being introduced to the room appointed for her use, she exclaimed, ‘*Oh! but this is not near so nice a chamber as your’s!—it is not half so well furnished—neither is it so cheerful. And it has got no dressing-room !” ““T hope,” said Ethel, “that you will be satis- fied with this apartment. It is not that I have any particular choice ad ‘*'Well, my dear friend,” said Mildred, ‘I shall ask you as avery particular favour to change rooms with me. In the first place, it would seem so odd to the servantsif I were put into an apart- ment inferior to that which you occupy ——” “No,” said Ethel, “it will not seem at all strange unless,” she added, with a glow upon her cheeks, “ you mean to insinuate that I myself am only an upper sort of servant ?” “No, no—I didn’t mean that. But you will see the propriety, my dear Mrs. Trevor, ” con- tinued Mildred coaxingly, “ of complying with my request.” “And I beg to decline it,” responded Ethel, coldly and fir mly. “Hey day! what?” cried Mildred. Ah! I understand it!” “What do you understand, madam ?” ‘You think that because you are acquainted with certain secrets,” pursued Mildred insolently, “you can take matters with a high hand.” “Tam incapable of abusing the confidence that is reposed in me,” exclaimed Ethel indignantly. Mildred looked at her for a moment, as if to fathom how much sincerity there was in her speech; and then she said, “‘Come, my dear Ethel, you and I will not quarrel. But you were wrong to provoke me——” ‘I provoke you?” exclaimed the young lady. “Why, yes—by refusing to give me up that room. You must understand that Hendon Court has two mistresses now.” “Ah,” said Ethel: “Hendon Court has two mistresses now ?” ‘No doubt of it,” replied Mildred. said Mil- ““ That innet “But, “ Are therc annem ee ee COMO oO Colin