The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 398: what you’re looking at

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

384 eee impatiently. ‘Pamela does not recover! Get other restoratives !—something stronger!” “See, Mr. Ashborne! her lips move! Yes— and now her bosom heaves !” “Ah! itis so! Life is returning!” The physician now made his appearance; and Stephen Ashborne, drawing the principal hand- maiden aside, said to her, ‘Tell your young mis- tress presently that I was here at this fearful crisis—that accidentally, or may I not rather say providentially, I was passing at the moment Yes, providentially !—for surely it must have been intended by heaven for some wise purpose of its own. Tell her, therefore, that I was here —yes, and say that I ministered unto her; and you may likewise add that I will return presently Say anything you cgy to console her for this loss of her father! , the bereavement is terrible !” Stephen Ashborne paused—raised his hand to his brow—reflected for a few moments—and then he proceeded as follows :— “Tell your young mistress all this ; and say likewise that I will come back presently—and if she think fit to see me I shall be happy: but if on the other hand she would rather shut herself up in the seclusion of her own desolate heart, she need only signify her wish to me, and not for -an ' instant would I think of intruding upon her grief! But tell her—tell her—that as she is now alone in the world, I am suddenly inspired by a consciousness of my duties as a husband——In short, say everything which your own good sense may dictate as being likely to prove soothing to the afflicted young lady!” - . The abigail promised that she would faithfully and, strictly fulfil the instructions thus given her ; and Stephen Ashborne took his departure. Fresh food was there for his thoughts—fresh aliment for his marvelling meditation! How many more thrilling, startling, and important incidents were to be crowded into the comparatively brief space ' of this memorable day!—and what would be Pamela's answer to the species of overture which he had just made her through the medium of the confidential lady’s-maid ? While thus giving way to his reflections, the young man was borne to Berkeley Square ; and he alighted from the cab at the door of Trentham House. He inquired for his lordship, and was informed that the nobleman was engaged. ‘With Mr. Sylvester Casey perhaps ?” said Stephen interrogatively. “Yes, sir,” was the response; “ and likewise with Mr. Bulteel, » lawyer, who has just ar- rived.” ‘“‘ Ah, indeed ! so much the better!” ejaculated Stephen. “The very gentleman whom I could most wish to meet in the presence . of his lordship ! Lead the way and announce me.’ “What name, sir, if you please?” “What name? Oh, itis of no consequence ! The name is not known to his lordship! I can nevertheless assure you that my business is of the most important character-—But why do you hesitate ? why do you look so suspicious ?” * Because, sir, to tell the truth, Mr. Bulteel’s a lawyer—and his name’s already too well known within these walls. That of Casey moreover isn’t very popular amongst us; and so, begging your pardon, sir THE YOUNG DUCHESS; OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. a ee “My good fellow,” interrupted Ashborne, “if you apprehend mischief on your master’s account I can assure you it is without a cause. I come to help him, and not to injure him.” The lacquey's features brightened up; and he at once led the way to the apartment where Lord Trentham was so deeply interested in the startling announcements that were being made by Mr. Bul- teel to Sylvester Casey. We have now brought the narrative down to the point at which the preceding chapter broke off; and from that particular conjuncture we may resume it. ‘Lord Trentham,” said Stephen Ashborne, ad- vancing towards the nobleman, ‘I come not hither to exult over what may be almost termed the downfall, or at least the discomfiture of this young man :”—and he pointed to Sylvester. ‘‘On the contrary, I could compassionate him, were it not that he was about to have made use of his sup- posed possession of wealth for so evil a purpose.” ‘Oh, it’s all very well talking,” cried Sylvester, now assuming a tone of defiance; “but you and Bulteel are in- league together - -— that’s plain enough! However, Vil fight you—I don’t pre- tend to be a lawyer, but I know there’s such a thing as disputing 2 will——” “Think not,” interrupted Ashborne, “that there is any chance of success in the present instance ! It was not Mr. Bulteel who drew the will—no acquaintances of mine witnessed-it ‘“‘One word, Mr. Ashborne,” interrupted the lawyer sternly. ‘This young fellow is determined to make me speak out! Well then, let him know, to his confusion, that his father has cut him off because of his lazy, idle, and dissipated habits— and also because he was reckless and imprudent enough to accept a bill for a thousand pounds on behalf of a scamp named Abel Kingston, and which bill was duly paid by Mr. Casey senior when in the hands of a discounter named Pluckley.” “And how do you know all this ?” demanded Sylvester, whose air of confidence was rapidly disappearing. “* The will itself specifies the facts,” answered Bulteel, ‘But tell me, Mr. Sylvester, did not your father once assure you that you would some day know more completely than you even did then, what he thought of you?” “Why, by Jove, now I recollect—yes, to ba sure! it was that very same night when me and the governor was driving home together from Pluckley’s in the cab ‘‘And now, therefore,” rejoined Bulteel, “you see that your father uttered no vain threat. Can you recollect the date of the incident itself? I mean the occasion when he used those warning words?” ‘How the deuce should I know?” exclaimed Sylvester petulantly. “But of course I do! It was on the night of the 31st of May; and may I be hanged if I think the governor could have been serious in cutting me off in this manner!” “It was on the Ist of June, sir,” answered Bulteel, impressively, “that your deceased father made the will which has this day been dis- covered.” Sylvester staggered back a pace or two, with the air of one who felt that he was completely beaten; and he looked for a few instants as if he were about to weep. COMO YN Wn) Colin