The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 269: what you’re looking at

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THE YOUNG DUCHESS; OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. 255 “What do you mean?” asked Launcelot, be- wildered and frightened. | ‘‘Y mean, that if you let things go to extremes, young man,” resumed the lawyer, in a mysterious whisper, ‘‘ you'll have a criminal prosecution.” Launcelot started and looked indignant. “Well, if you like to ride matters with a high hand,” said Bulteel, shrugging his shoulders, “it’s no business of mine. I only wanted to give you a little friendly advice. Casey is resolute— and you couldn't suppose that it was possible for him to remain ignorant of who got possession of the papers . ; “Ah!” ejaculated Launcelot, as a light began to dawn in unto his mind in respect to Selina’s proceedings. ‘The papers ?” “Well, of course,” said Bulteel ‘You are too young a hand, Mr. Osborne, to carry off such a thing with the necessary amount of effrontery. You betray yourself—and so now it is no longer doubtful—you did purloin the papers ;—and by heaven! you will have to take the conse- quences.” Launcelot now comprehended it all: he under~ stood what Selina had done, and how for his sake she had actually robbed her own father! He was almost overwhelmed by the young lady’s magna- nimity. But it was evident that he was sus- pected of the theft :—to Aim was imputed the deed which ske had committed. How was he to act? Not for a moment did he hesitate. He could not prove less magnanimous than she :—he could not exonerate himself by betraying her. He must therefore remain under the suspicion and take the consequences. ““Now, Mr. Osborne,” said Bultecl, “is this business to be settled amicably or not? Agree to marry Miss Casey—as indeed you have already once doné—and all will be right. You may then keep the bonds and deeds and securities which you have purloined——excuse the word. On the other hand, if you refuse——” At this moment the door of the library opened, and Lord Trentham hastily entered. A violent agitation seized upon him the instant that his looks were swept round upon those present ; and striding towards his son, he said in a low deep voice, “ Launcelot, do you mean to save us ? or is it too late?” The young man gasped for the power of utter- ance: despair was fast seizing upon his soul, and he shrank aghast from the thought that the moment was at hand when despite every hope that had been entertained, and despite everything ane had done, he must renounce Imogen after all.- “The execution, my lord,” Mr. Bulteel pro- ceeded to say, “is for twenty thousand pounds.” “Twenty thousand ?” echoed Lord Trentham. At the same moment the door again opened, and Lady Trentham made- her hurried and agi- tated appearance The sum just mentioned by her husband struck her ears as the strange people present met her eyes: she comprehended it all— and with a moan she staggered to a chair, upon . Which she sank in a fainting fit. “‘Good God, my poor mother!” exclaimed Launcelot, springing towards her and supporting her in his arms. “ Ring for water! Call the maids !” The bailiff’s assistant hastened to open the /Moned; and while they were procuring eau-de- door: her ladyship’s maids were quickly sum- Cologne, sal-volatile, and other restoratives, the bailiffs man, affecting a commiserative mood, whispered to some of the servants who were now grouped in the passage outside, ‘ What a pity if it’s to he a reg’lar knock-up just for twenty thou- sand! I always thought such a sum wasn’t nuffin to a great lord.” _ Azaline’s own lady’s-maid was on the point of hastening up to fetch her young mistress when she caught the words that were issuing from the lips of the bailiff’s assistant ; and having thus as- certained the extent of the calamity, she sped up to Azaline’s boudoir, not knowing that any one besides the young lady herself wasthere. It was therefore with but little ceremony that she burst in, exclaiming, ‘Oh, Miss!”—and then she abruptly stopped short on perceiving a stranger, for Imogen instantaneously drew down her veil. ‘‘Good heavens, Margaret! what is the matter ?” cried Azaline, stricken with terror. But still the maid hesitated to speak, as she glanced towards Imogen. “Tell me—tell me!” exclaimed Azaline. “I see that something has occurred! You ma speak before this lady! she is a friend of mine!” ‘Oh, miss,” cried Margaret, the tears burst- ing from her eyes, ‘‘that I should be the bearer of such ill news! But—but—the bailiffs are in the house !” ‘“‘Oh!”—and Azaline, becoming pale as death, clasped her hands. ‘« The bailiffs ?” exclaimed Imogen, starting up from her chair. ‘‘ Alas, yes!” responded Margaret: ‘there’s an execution—and her poor dear ladyship———” “ A seizure do you mean?” demanded Imogen, forcibly clutching the maid’s wrist. ‘*'Yes—a seizure, ma’am.” | ‘‘ For how much?” demanded the actress. ‘I heard one of the men say it was for twenty thousand pounds.” Two cries burst forth at this announcement— two distinct ejaculations—one of despair from the lips of Azaline, one of joy from those of Imogen! Then forth from the boudoir rushed Imogen :— down the stairs she sped—she was inspired by only one thought—she had but one aim in view —she paused not to reflect upon anything else —stayed not to deliberate on the step that she was taking. With the veil still over her countenance she burst into the library, the door of which stood half open, and there was a group of servants assembled near, so that the actress knew at once where the scene of her business lay, Azaline and Margaret were hastening after her, utterly bewildered what to think in reference to her strange proceeding; and they were only a few seconds behind her in reaching the library. But we should observe that in the meanwhile ‘Lady Trentham had been restored by the means so promptly adopted by her maids; and- looking with appealing earnestness up into her son’s face, she said, “‘ Launcelot, is our ruin to be consum- mated when you can no doubt avert it ?” “It depends upon Mr. Osborne, my lady,” said Bulteel, who now approached the chair in which Launcelot’s mother was seated. “You. hear,” said his father,”— you hear, I conniclooolk oO Colin