The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 396: what you’re looking at

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

382 ‘t By heaven,” exclaimed Stephen Ashborne, in a burst of genial fervour, ‘‘if those bonds and deeds were mine, I would sooner thrust them every one into the fire than use them as the mieans of a base cowardly coercion, or suffer them to be thus used! Ah, if there were magicians now-a-days !—if it were possible to possess oneself of an enchanter’s wand es But Stephen Ashborne stopped short; for the door opened, and Mr. Bulteel, the lawyer, made his appearance. There was something peculiar in the expression of his countenance: he hesitated whether to advance into the room—he looked at Selina as if equally at a loss whether he should speak in her presence; and then, again turning towards the young man, he said, “‘ I have a com- munication for your ears, Mr Ashborne—I mean a private one And yet I do not know that it need be private, for it refers also to every member of this family.” “Refers to us, Mr. Bulteel?” cried Selina. “What do you mean ?” ‘* Perhaps, in duty bound,” resumed the lawyer, _“T ought first of all to have spoken to your mother—or else to your brother—for whom in- deed the tidings will come with the force of a blow ” , ‘Speak out, Mr. Bulteel!” said Ashborne. “What does all this signify? You have a paper in your hand?” “‘Yes—it is a will. In one word, Miss Casey,” continued the lawyer, thus addressing himself to Selina, ‘‘ your brother Sylvester is disinherited— cut off indeed with only the barest pittance! And this gentleman,” turning to Stephen Ashborne, ‘‘is the heir of the deceased's property—and —and— your half-brother, Miss Casey.” Thus suddenly was it that sources of wild amazement were opened up for Selina; and as she stood gazing in bewilderment, first upon the lawyer, then upon Stephen Ashborne, the latter took her hand and pressed it with fraternal warmth, saying, ‘‘ Yes—it is true, Selina, that I am your half-brother;—and it was this know- ledge that rendered me apparently bold and familiar in my language towards you ere now. Ob, you see it was not without a justification that I proffered you my friendship—that I offered you my fraternal love—and that I called you by your Christian name with all that delicate ten- derness which 9 brother would display towards a sister !” : Stephen Ashborne pressed his lips upon Selina’s fair brow, while she said murmuringly and in a half-broken voice, ‘All this is wonderful and amazing; but it could not be otherwise than with feelings of joy and delight that I acknowledge you asabrother! And if my late father should have had motives for the preference which he has shown you over Sylvester, it is not for me to question or dispute his judgment.” ‘Miss Casey,” interrupted Mr. Bulteel, “all who are acquainted with you must be well aware of the amiability and generosity of your dis- position. It is not therefore surprising to find you thus cordially welcoming your half-brother, nor to see you thus bending obediently to what- soever may be the wishes and decrees of your late father. It were well now, perhaps, if you were to seek your mother—explain to her that a will has been found—yes, and you may add likewise THE YOUNG DUCHESS; OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. that «a handsome income is settled upon her- self.” “Y will go,” said Selina; ‘and I will prepare her, Stephen, to receive you.” The young lady thereupon quitted the room; and as soon as the door had closed behind her, Mr. Bulteel addressed Stephen Ashborne in the following terms :— ‘‘ This will was made only a few days ago, and I cannot tell what motive Mr. Casey may have had in not employing or consulting me in the matter at the time—unless the explanation of the mys- tery is to be found in the fact that he procured the intervention of a strange lawyer in order the more completely to guarantee the secrecy of the pro- ceeding. He might have thought that I, being acquainted with the members of his family, might wilfully or inadvertently breathe a whisper on the point if I were employed in the transaction. However, here is the will, regularly drawn up and duly attested. It sets forth that the testator, having for various reasons felt dissatisfied with the conduct of his lawfully begotten son Sylvester, and entertaining the confident belief that the best and kindest, method of dealing with that young man is to throw him more or less upon his own resources, thereby necessitating habits of industry and steadiness in the place of idleness and dissi- pation,—he, the testator, has accordingly left the said son Sylvester an annual income of fifty-two pounds arising from certain stocks herein specified. Furthermore the testator acknowledges you, Wil- liam Ashborne, to be his son by the deceased Adelaide Clarke—he believes you to possess a good disposition, as well as thrifty and industrious habits: he is moreover desirous of atoning to the best of his ability for whatsoever neglect your deceased mother and yourself may have had reason to complain of at his hands. He therefore leaves you the bulk of his fortune. The will enters into certain specifications relative to the lost deeds and documents; but inasmuch as they are now found, I need not trouble you, Mr.,Ash- borne, with any details on that head. In con- clusion, let me congratulate you upon being the heir to about eighty thousand pounds.” “YT thank you, Mr. Bulteel,” said the young man, who had listened with deep attention to the lawyer’s explanations. ‘Of that eighty thousand pounds I presume that the Trentham securities, to the amount of sixty thousand, form a part?” ‘“‘ Decidedly so,” responded the attorney. “Tow is Mrs. Casey provided for?” asked Stephen. . “Ten thousand pounds in the funds are settled upon her,” rejoined Bulteel; ‘‘and at her death to devolve upon her daughter Selina.” “Then thank heaven,” exclaimed Ashborne, ‘they are comfortably provided for!” “Yes!” pursued Bulteel; ‘and entering further into details, I may explain that this house, the furniture, the plate, wines, and so forth, are all bequeathed to the widow. Here is the will; and if you will permit me, I can very soon take the proper steps to put you in possession of your fortune.” . ‘‘ Where are the Trentham securities ?” inquired Ashborne. “They are all in the deceased’s study: I have just been looking over them, Indeed, when I come to think of it, it is rather fortunate that COMO YN Wn) a A ee IE at en er ee ee Colin