The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 376: what you’re looking at

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362 from the door to which he was advancing, and | addressing Sylvester with that same mingling of sternness and mournfulness which he had before displayed towards the young man,—‘ The voice should not be raised so loudly i in the house of the dead—especially when it is a father’s loss whom you have to deplore !” It was almost with fierceness, and certainly with sharpness and irritation, that Sylvester Casey turned round upon Stephen Ashborne as if he were about to demand of him by what, right he interfered or administered a rebuke, But there was something in Stephen's demeanour which overawed the ill-conditiongd young mani ; and turning again towards the table, he e claimed, , Look, mother! here's the documents that father ost !” At that moment Selina opened her eyes: and Mrs. Casey, heedless of what her son had just said, folded her clayoiten to het bésom, weeping and ‘sobbing bitterly. , “Yes—by Jove! het they. are!” exclaimed Sylvester; “the very deeds themgelves ! sixty thousand pounds’ worth, i the governor himself said! That at least is 4890 —for they're mine now! Tm the heir—and I'm just so much the richer than I should have been without the docu- ments !” A scream burst from Sclina’s lips, .as she sat up in, the couch with her eyes glarin# wildly upon her brother, who stood at the table Patherin# up the papers that were strown about. “Ah, poor girl!” said the. afflicted mother, a you don’ t know what has happened !” ‘‘ How came the papers here, Selina?” asked Sylvester. “Don’t talk of it,” said, Mrs. Casey reproach- fully, “when your poor father lies dead “Dead? No! no !"—and in wildest accents did the words peal forth froth Selina’s lips. Mrs. Casey could give no reply; and Dr. Scoft hastened to explain to the young lady in a few words that a mournful tragedy had characterised the hour then passing—that ruffians had broken into the house, and that her father was mur- dered ! “God forgive me!” moaned the wretched Selina, clasping her hands in an agony of grief. ‘“ But tell me—tell me—did my father know that ‘twas I who stole from him those papers ?” Don’t say it child! don’t say it!” exclaimed the mother, terribly excited. ‘tT did do i¢!—alas, I did do it!” ried Selina. “Tell me—tell me—has my father cursed the i ‘Unhappy child, how could you have done such a thing? But your poor father did not know it!”—and the mother again wept and sobbed as if her heart would break. 1? what I had done!”—and it, was with indescribable fervour that Selina spoke these words. . Not daring to tarry longer upon the scene— fearing indeed that he had already lingéred too much amidst the sanctity of those family reveld- | tions to be consistent with a strict delicacy 0! conduct— yet astounded and bewildered by the things which had thus become known unto him —Stephen Ashborne stole forth from the apart- ment, gently and noiselessly closing the door be- hind him. On inquiry of the police-constables, he found | brought him. ve oped oécasion wh Lic a THE YOUNG DUCIIESS; OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. that Jack Peppercorn had been conveyed to the station~ -house, and that Tim Gaffney was at the same time borne, horribly maimed, to the nearest hospital The young man gave his address to the con tab’ es i cage he should be wanted to assist with his evidence the purposes of justice; and then leaving | the ill-fated house, he betook his way in mingled sadness and horror to his own lodgings. ED CHAPTER LXVIII. STEPHEN ASHBORNE Ir was but a little past nine o ‘clock i in the morn- ing after the tragic occurrences just related, that Stephen Ashborne issued from the humble ‘lodg- ing where he dwelt, and proceeded to the West End of the town. On entering, one of the prin- cipal streets, he appeared to be seized with a sudden hesitation : his manner, hitherto decided and firm in its purpose, grew abruptly irresolute ; and stopping short altogether, he mentally ejacu- lated, ‘Shall I go? or shall I not?” The woking of his features indicated the strength of the emotions that were agitating within: his cheeks grew red and pale in rapid transitions — his lips quivered — and a strange sinister light gleamed in his eyes. But the fit quickly, passed; and he muttered to himself, “Yes, I must go! So solemnly adjured am I that dare not refuse the summons! And then too, it is an appeal, and not a threat; and there is the fervid asseveration that no mischief is in- tended. Yes—lI will go !” Stephen Ashborne continued his way, all the more resolutely perhaps after that temporary hesitation ; and in a few minutes he reached the door , of a handsome house in the fashionable quarter. of the town to which his steps had His summons at the bell was quickly, answered by a servant in livery : he gave his name, and was ushered into a parlour, where he was not kept many moments waiting ere the personage, who had sent for him made his appear- ange. ..This was Squire Ponsford. He looked pale, ill and careworn : the calm gravity which was ‘wont 48 sit upon his countenance, had been sul persed by an, air of distress. He was en- :, in a morning gown; and though only five, or six weeks had elapsed since Stephen Ash- borne, saw h ie last, on the fearfully memorable the reader cannot fail to remem- ber, yet . his form appeared to have shrunk and to hav become émaciated even in that compara- _ tively brief space of time. “God be thanked that my father knew not | es —this was the first occasion on which ' Stephen Ashborne had met Mr. Ponsford since . that terrible day on which so fell a deed was done and such terrific revealings were vented from the Tips | of the young man to smite the ears and | paralyse the heart of the horrified father of the 'vuitied Pamela! This was the first time they had met since that day; and if on the one hand Mr. Ponsford adopted the air of a suppliant, Stephen Ashborne did not on the other hand dis- play any vindictive satisfaction on account of the crime he had perpetrated towards the beau- teous and innocent Pamela, COMO YN Wn) re et te Colin