The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 56: what you’re looking at

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42 THE YOUGN DUCHESS; OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. She then moved away from the gate: but old Mr. Hogben still lingered there—for he seemed very proud of his nephew Samuel, and it was with infinite delight he heard the young man talk of the great people in whose service he was. 6 By the bye, uncle, has Dr. Pickstock got any ' person of rank staying with him? for I don’t ' know where else he could be stopping—unless he may have walked or rode in from some noble- ' man’s or gentleman’s country-seat——” ‘Who are you talking about, Sam ?” inquired the old man. ‘“‘ The wicar hasn’t got no one stay- ing with him.” ‘‘ All I can tell you, uncle, is that at this pre- sent moment there is a Duke in the village.” ‘A Dook?” ejaculated Mr. Hogben, in a species of awful astonishment. 4 : ‘“Yes—a Duke,” responded the nephew. ‘‘ Lord _ bless you, uncle! to one who has lived in London Dukes don’t seem to be such very rare things " ‘* And you mean to tell me, Sam,” interrupted the parish clerk, ‘‘ that there is a rale living Dook in our willage at this moment ?—a Dook, of flesh and blood—and he walking about on his two legs like any other person? Or has the vax-yorks come, and it’s a Dook which travels in a carawan ?” ‘‘'No, uncle,” pursued the nephew: “it is a real living Duke—and you may see him with your own eyes if you like.” ‘‘ ‘Well, I never did yet see a Dook to my know- ledge,” said the parish clerk. ‘‘I once saw a whale at Ramsgate, and a boa constructor ina travelling wan: but among other cur’osities I “mever did see a Dook. So come along, Sam !— But are you quite certain?” and Mr. Hogben stopped short, after having got three or four paces away from the gate. “Certain, uncle? Of course I am,” exclaimed the nephew. ‘ The Duke is an intimate friend of my master’s; he and the Duchess are often at Carshalton House. Ah! you should see the Duchess, uncle! They call her the Brilliant Duchess. She is a splendid creature—with such a profile !—a clear complexion—light brown hair —large blue eyes——” Ethel heard no more ; for the parish clerk and his nephew had now passed beyond earshot. She could not help listening to the preceding colloquy as far as it went, for there was something amusing in the observations made by the old parish clerk ; and a smile lingered on Ethel’s lips as she resumed her walk to and fro in the garden, until Trevor made his appearance. They entered the elegantly- furnished little parlour; and Trevor, who was now more composed than when he had set out on his walk to the Red Lion, began to converse in a cheerful tone, as he and Ethel sat at the window, which was wide open, with an array of beautiful flowers upon the sill. ‘J just now heard such an extraordinary state- ment from the old parish clerk !” said Ethel, from whose mind the laughable discourse about the Duke had hitherto banished the intelligence re- specting the disguised lady. “ Ah!” ejaculated Trevor, with a sudden start. What—what ” ““ Ah, now I am completely reassured witht re- spect to the young fashionable!” continued Ethel. ‘But perhaps you made the discovery—perhaps you knew——” “What? what?” inquired Trevor. “Do tell me, dear Ethel !” “Tt was a lady dressed up,” she responded ; ‘and Mr. Hogben has been telling me that the disguised female made so many different inquiries | relative to you and me! But hush!” and Ethel laid her fair hand upon Trevor’s arm; for at that instant they caught the sounds of voices speaking in the road outside the palings which fenced the front part of the garden. ‘' Hush, dear Alfred!” whispered Ethel ; ‘it is old Mr. Hogbent again—and he has got his nephew with him— and I have been so amused by their discourse !” “Let us shut the window, Ethel!” ejaculated Trevor, somewhat impatiently. ‘“ What! this beautiful evening?” she gently whispered. , ‘I thought you liked the fresh air —and the brilliant moonlight—-and the fragrance of the flowers “¢ So I do, Ethel :’”—and Trevor who had started up to close the casement, resumed his seat by Ethel’s side, so that the window stili remained open. ae I tell you, uncle, I could take my oath of it!” one of the voices in the road was now heard to say. “That’s the nephew speaking !” whispered Ethel. “Now you will hear what the old man has to say———But Ah! they are coming into the garden !” ‘¢ What on earth can they want?” exclaimed Trevor, who by a variety of cireumstances was now goaded into a positive rage, for he had sud- denly learnt to look upon the old parish clerk as a mischief-maker and tale-bearer whom he alike hated and dreaded. He was rushing towards the door, when Ethel caught him by the arm, saying, “ Pray do not be angry with the poor old man, Alfred! He is very harmless and good-natured! I just now gave him leave to walk in the garden to look at the flowers, or to pick some if he liked ——” ““ Yes—but one does not pick flowers at moon- light !” ejaculated Trevor impatiently. ‘‘ How- ever, I will not interfere with those persons ” “No, no! they will do no harm !” said“Ethel quickly. ‘‘Come back to your seat at the win- dow.” Trevor accordingly suffered the amiable crea- ture to lead him towards the open casement. Then there was a hasty whispering of voices in the garden ; but not another syllable could now be caught of what was passing between Mr. Hog- ben and his nephew; and almost immediately afterwards the sounds of their retreating footsteps were heard, followed by the closing of the garden- gate. ““T really should have been sorry,” resumed’ Ethel, ‘‘ if you had spoken harshly to the old man. He is simplicity itself! Just now his nephew was telling him that he had seen a Duke in the village—and the old man was so anxious to go and have a peep at the great personage— and so they went away for the purpose——It was while you had gone up to the Red Lion to speak about your horse for to-morrow morning ” “Ethel,” said Trevor, suddenly starting up from his seat, ‘‘I do not feel well this evening. I don’t know what it is—the atmosphere seems op- pressive—I think there will be a storm ” ‘‘ Oh, no,” exclaimed the young lady; “ there COMO YN Wn) Colin