The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 138: what you’re looking at

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

i pp pp ES 124 THE YOUNG DUCHESS; OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. Ethel, “for calling thus early. I was afraid the be hour might be unreasonable ‘*Oh, dear me, no!” ejaculated Lady Lang- port. ‘I am always up early—at six o’clock in the summer—at seven in the winter. I have in- variably finished breakfast by nine. There is nothing like early rising to keep one’s self in health !” ‘““T am glad that I have not come at an unsea- sonable hour,’ resumed Ethel; ‘but I was so fearful that other candidates might present them- selves P “Oh! I have received several applications,” in- terjected Lady Langport ;, “‘ for the advertisement has been inserted several consecutive days.” “T only saw it yesterday,” said Ethel: and then with a sigh, and an anxious glance towards her child, she added in the half-hushed tone of acute suspense, ‘‘Perhaps your ladyship has already engaged with some one?” ‘““No—not yet. The fact is, I am very, very particular. It is not every one who will suit me. Some applicants are not lady-like in their man- ners, nor presentable in society: others have rela- tions and friends who would either come visiting them here, or else whom they would want to go and see frequently. Others have a giddy appear- ance — or else are reserved, ill-tempered, and affording but little promise of proving willing and obliging.” ‘““T hope that in some of these particulars at least, I may suit your ladyship,” said Ethel: ‘‘for I have no friends to visit me—none whom I could go to visit a “You are friendless?” said Lady Langport, surveying her with earnest attention. ‘Utterly and completely friendless!” answered Ethel: and she hastily wiped away her tears. , “While I pity you, for the reason that such words should issue from your lips, yet on the other hand the fact of your friendlessness is not the least of the many recommendations that evidently exist in your favour. Perhaps you observed that my advertisement, though worded as delicately as possible, intimated that any young lady who was orphaned and friendless, and to whom 2 comfort- able home, with an ample pecuniary allowance, together with the kindest treatment, were objects of consideration - ‘*To me they are indeed!” murmured Ethel, in the fervid hope that her visit to Hendon Court would be crowned with success. ‘‘ And moreover,” ‘continued Lady Langport, apparently heedless of the interruption, ‘‘I inti- mated in my advertisement that a young widow with one or two children would not be objected to——_”’ “T have only this child,” said Ethel: and with- out absolutely telling a falsehood, she thus gave it to be understood that she hersélf was a widow,— little reflecting at the moment that there might seem something contradictory in the fact that she was not in mourning—nor even in half-mourning —and that her child was barely eleven months old! Lady Langport did not however seem to take any notice of these little inconsistencies; for she | went on to say, with that soft urbanity of manner and good-nature which seemed so entirely her own, | “‘T will not ask you to enter into any particulars which must naturally be painful to you. I kuow arm. what it is to lose an affectionate husband : in- deed I have been less fortunate than you—for you have something to console you”—and she pointed towards the sleeping child—‘ while my children have all gone down into the grave!” she added, with a tremulous voice. ‘However, as I was saying,” she went on to observe, “I will question you on nothing that regards the past: I will not even insult you by asking for references. Your looks tell me what you are: your counte- nance is the best certificate of character. Having said this much, you see, Mrs. Trevor, that I on my side am prepared to conclude the compact : but it remains for you to ascertain whether the position which I offer may suit you.” ‘Oh, how is it possible that I can hesitate ?” exclaimed Ethel, clasping her hands in grateful fervour. ‘So much goodness on your part!—so much unexpected liberality !” ‘Tam sure that what I am doing, and all I should like to do for you, are nothing more than you deserve. But do not be so hasty, my dear Mrs. Trevor, in rushing at the conclusion that the position will suit you. In the first place, I will tell you the advantages it holds out. You will re- ceive an income of one hundred pounds a year to begin with ; and if you remain with me, it shall speedily be increased. You will be treated by me as a friend and as an equal; and nothing on my part shall ever remind you that your condition is at all a dependent one. Indeed, you shall be made to feel as if you had as much right to be at Hendon Court as I myself have. The servants will treat you with the same deference and respect which they show towards me. As you now find me in temper and in manners, so shall I always prove towards you. You will have no caprices to submit to ; and you will never have to humiliate yourself by addressing me in a tone of flattery or compliment. It is no toad-eater that I require: it is a friend—a companion—and—and ”"—Lady Langport hesitated for a moment, and then added —“a confidante.” “And your ladyship thinks,” cried Ethel, in astonishment, “that I could hesitate for a single moment in accepting a position which is in every way so desirable ?” ‘Stop !” said Lady Langport: “I have told you the advantages which I have to offer ; but on the other hand I have to acquaint you with the duties which you will have to fulfil.” “There are no duties,” interrupted Ithel, ““which I would not gladly and cheerfully un- dertake !” ‘‘ Again I say stop! be patient, my dear Mrs. Trevor !” interrupted Lady Langport, with a smile, as she laid her gloved hand upon Ethel’s ‘Suppose that having only shown you the bright side of the picture, I was now to exhibit the dark side, by explaining that I require vari- ous menial offices to be performed by the lady who becomes my companion—that having an aver- sion to handmaids and abigails, I will not permit female servants to approach me in my own cham- ber—that therefore in all matters of the toi- let-———" ““T understand your ladyship,” cried Ethel : “there is nothing that shocks me in all this! [ have neither pride nor unwillingness—but on the contrary, every desire to render myself useful.” ‘Pause | reflect!” interposed the lady. ‘“‘ Da COMO oO Colin