The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 237: what you’re looking at

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

Dn pale te ll, SO Na a oe -——— tHE YOUNG DUCHESS; OR, MEMOIRS Of A LADY OF QUALITY. The Duchess remained silent. Mandeville saw that the lower part of her countenance was suf- fused with a sudden flush, which instantaneously vanishing, left it pale in contrast with the black mask. . “T asked you to be here to-night—and you said that you would,” he continued. ‘The pro- mise itself seemed to indicate that I might ven- ture to hope that I am not altogether an object of indifference. I beseech your Grace to permit me to lead you aside—to one of those empty boxes yonder—where we may converse without restraint for a few minutes,” Though the words were in the sense of an en- treaty, yet the tone in which they were uttered had the slightest tincture of « command—not rudely so—nor imperiously coercive — but just sufficiently marked to indicate a consciousness of some power which the speaker wielded over his fair listener. The Duchess said not a word: but she took Mandeville’s arm, and he felt her hand tremble as it rested lightly upon him for sup- port. They entered one of the boxes to which we have before alluded, and which were fitted up commodiously and handsomely, with cushions and draperies. “Tt is indeed very kind of Lady Todmorden,” said Mandeville, as he handed the Duchess to a seat and placed himself by her side, “to furnish such excellent accommodation. After pulling her rooms to pieces, spoiling her paint and her paper, and going to this vast expense, it would be a source of annoyance indeed if she did not manage to. get off one of her daughters.” ‘*Perhaps you, Count,” said the Duchess, half gaily and half timidly, “mean to take compas- sion upon one of them and produce a sensation in the fashionable world by leading her to the altar ?” ‘Would you have me give my hand,” asked Mandeville, ‘‘ where I could not bestow my heart ? —or does your Grace conceive that the denizens of the fashionable world have no hearts? Ah, say not so, I beseech you!—for at this moment you have a heart entirely devoted to yourself and it is here.” He laid his hand upon his breast as he spoke. The Duchess felt confused: she remained silent for some féw moments; and then again laughing, she said, “Is it still the Troubadour who is ad- dressing me ?” _ ““No,” replied Mandeville. ‘‘ Forget that I am clad in this fancy garb—think of me only in my true character—and listen to me! I have had the pleasure of knowing you only for one short week—and this is but the third time that I have found myself in your society. But there is such a thing as love at first sight; and therefore you will not deem me mad, nor romantic, nor decep- tive when I declare that I love you !” The Duchess started—and it was under the impulse of a feeling which she could not define to herself—she knew not whether she were more pleased or annoyed by the avowal which had just been made. Mandeville was handsome and fas- cinating; and it was impossible for any woman to hear with indifference such an avowal from his lips. But on the other hand, there was that superstitious awe in which the Duchess stood to-: wards him—a dread lest the power that he 228 wielded might prove inauspicious for her own destinies. “But if you do not consider me mad or ridicr- lously romantic,” continued Mandeville, “ you may perhaps deem me arrogant and presumptuous. I hope that this is not the opinion which you enter- tain of niy conduct ?” “ And if it were,” said the Duchess, mustering up her courage,—‘‘ and if I were to tell you so, what reply would you make ?” Mandeville’s dark eyes were riveted upon her through the holes in his mask; and he said, ‘‘ Without arguing this question, tell me—may I venture to hope ?” | ““Count Mandeville,” responded the Duchess, with firmness and dignity, ‘you just now ad- mitted that you had not known me more than a week and that this is the third time we have been together. What would you think of me if I were to receive your language with encouragement instead of resentment? -Ah! you seem to know that you have acquired a power over me,” she went on to say, her courage yielding and her firmness melting, as she again perceived his dark eyes riveted upon her. ‘‘ But tell me—tell me— how did you learn—how did you obtain any in- sight " ‘Hear me,” interrupted Mandeville. ‘ Could it be a matter of surprise that you—young, beau- tiful, and courted—should feel indignant at the conduct of your husband who abandoned you for the sake of that Ethel ‘whose loveliness is not to be compared to your's ?” “ Ah!’ murmured the Duchess: and then she mentally added in a consternation of surprise, ‘“‘ He knows everything !” ‘“‘ And thus,” continued Mandeville, ‘“‘ you had naught to restrain you within the bounds of those obligations which perhaps under other circum- stances you would have implicitly obeyed. You possess the heart of a woman—and that heart must love something. You are lovely—and it is natural that you should seek to be beloved. Well then, it is perfectly intelligible how a certain man obtained a temporary empire over your mind,— a man whose name I dare not breathe in your ear.” The Duchess gasped ; and then laying her hand suddenly upon Mandeville’s arm, she said, “I swear to you that I am innocent in respect to Sir Abel Kingston.” ““T know it,” replied the Count with a sort of calm confidence. ‘‘I am aware that even while standing upon the very verge of the precipice, you had the courage to prevent yourself from falling over. Pardon me, my dear Duchess,” he continued, with one of those exquisitely fascinating smiles which revealed his brilliant teeth, ‘‘ but there was a little coquetry on your part, blended with a still larger amount of timidity ; and thus you were saved from falling into the arms of that man.” Again was the vivid blush discernible upon all the lower part of the beautiful lady’s counte- nance ; and her snow-white bosom heaved ard fell with the strong emotions that were agitating her. _ ‘‘ Tell me—tell me,” she said, in a low half- choked voice, ‘“‘ did you know that man? did he betray aught that had ever taken place e “Will you believe me,” interrupted the Count. oO COMO Colin