The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 245: what you’re looking at

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b ~ (rd sd ~ * S - a ‘ ins . . b tn — inane lt n RR no teratoma ae een coremmmteeeia sthe ehene-aABhaonPaicm THE YOUNG DUCHESS; OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. stood gazing upon her with an air as if he were completely ignorant of what the contents of that letter might be. He took and read it, still main- taining a look to prevent the suspicion that he was already well acquainted with its menacing nature :—then raising his eyes, he said with a scornful smile, ‘‘ Miserable wretch! does be think that you are so friendless as to yield to his threats, as dastard as they are malignant ?” “Oh, it would be my ruin! my utter ruin !” murmured the Duchess, ‘if he were to take the step which he has so unmistakably threatened ! Ah! after the discourse which just now took place with those ladies, how overwhelming would be the disgrace of exposure! The very worst would be thought—and spiteful tongues would ask wherefore I should have represented that I was attired as a shepherdess, and why yow should have proclaimed that you were disguised in a domino ?” “ Tranquillize yourself, Mary,” said Mande- ville: “there shall be no exposure and uno dis- grace; nor shall those scandal-loving ladies ever learn that we ere now deceived them with the representations that we made in reference to our costumes.” “Oh, is it possible that I may venture to hope ?” ‘* Hope everything,” said Mandeville. “‘ But this letter, so frightful in its threats—so daring in its menaees—evidently showing that the wretched man is indeed desperate !” “‘ Heed not the letter,” said the Count. shall defy the enemy.” “What am I to do? how am I to act?” asked the Duchess. ‘You will do nothing, Mary,” was the response. “ But you 2?” “T will do everything Now, fear not,” con- tinued Mandeville, with his wonted air of calm consciousness of power. ‘‘ From the moment the clock strikes eight in the evening of the 1st of June—that is to say, the day after to-morrow— or rather to-morrow, for we have already entered on the 31st of May at this hour of the morn- ing v “Yes,” said the Duchess, full of feverish anxiety. ‘‘ But you were telling me that from the moment which the wretch has named for the appointment 7 “rom that moment, Mary, he shall trouble you no more.” ‘The Duchess gave a prolonged sigh indicative of the relief which was conveyed to her mind by an assurance wherein she placed implicit trust ; and as Mandeville’s arm again encircled her waist, she of her own accord presented her lips to in- vite his kiss. ‘‘ And now, dearest,” said the Count, ‘‘ banish all apprehension from your mind. Think no more of the wretch otherwise than as an enemy whom you have triumphed over—a reptile on whom you have set your heel! Oh, let smiles appear upon your lips, and let the light of confidence again illuminate your eyes!—for you know not how beautiful you are in your happy moments, dear Mary !” ‘‘ And it is you,” murmured the young Duchess, bending her grateful regards upon Mandeville, ‘“‘who experience the power to render me thus happy.” ‘You 4 231 ‘“‘T rejoice that it is so, Mary—because I love you devotedly and fondly! You know not how much! And now let us rejoin the company Ah! and give me that note—I will destroy it presently And stay! one moment, my Mary! Let me place this camellia in your hair. Ah! how it becomes you! Now look up and smile again! There! you are inexpressibly hand- some !” They returned to the saloons, where dancing was now being resumed with spirit; and it was not until nearly three o’clock in the morning that the Duchess of Ardleigh was handed by Count Mandeville to her carriage. “She is mine!” said the Count, as he threw himself complacently back in his own carriage: ‘she is mine !—and in less than three more days | the conquest will be complete !” CHAPTER XLVI. ETUEL’S ALTERED PROSPECTS, LET us now return to Hendon Court. Langport remained in bed until nearly noon on the day following that night of exciting incidents when her daughter Mildred broke in upon her mysterious toilet and discovered her horrible secret. Ethel, be it remembered, had been told by Mildred—who adopted a sudden bearing of politeness and affability—that her ladyship did not require her services on that occasion; and thus Ethel fully comprehended how Mildred was playing a deep game, and how her own position at Hendon Court was becoming hourly more pre-: carious through the hypocritical machinations of that deceitful creature. But, as we have- seen, Ethel would for a variety of causes have only been too glad of any reasonable excuse to with- draw from the service of Lady Langport — though at the same time she felt exceedingly loath to abandon that unfortunate mother alto- gether to the unscrupulous and unprincipled daughter who in an evil hour had been restored unto her. Ethel had received that same morning a letter sealed with the armorial bearings of a great per- sonage. She had read this letter with the deepest interest and with a sentiment of the liveliest hope: but still she hesitated to obey the sum- mons which it contained. She was walking in the garden, pondering the circumstances of her position, when Mildred accosted her. Lady ‘““My dear friend,” said Mildred, assuming the sweetest smile she could possibly conjure up for her hypocritical purpose, “‘I have been thinking a great deal of you.” It was almost a look of indignation which Ethel bent upon her: but conquering her emo- tions, she hastily inquired, “ How is Lady Laug- port now ?” “A little better. She has just come down- stairs,” answered Mildred. toilet It was a know——” “Was her ladyship inquired for me? does she wish to see me?” asked Ethel. ‘‘Qh,-yes—you can go to her when you like,” ‘“*T assisted in her daughter’s place, you oO COMO Colin