The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 158: what you’re looking at

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144 THE YOUNG DUCHESS; OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. What could Ido? I was compelled to explain evcrything to my parents,—everything except the name of her whom they had welcomed and who owned my love !” “Then Lord and Lady Trentham,” said Selina, “know that you love another—but know not who that other is? Is it thus that you mean me tv understand the matter ?” “Tt is so—Ah, Selina! if she whom I love were in a high position and wealthy, and enabled to bring riches into the family, so that our own ruined fortunes might be rebuilt, it would be different! She whom I love is poor and depen- den ” “Would to heaven that I could enrich her, Launcelot,” murmured Selina ; “ for assuredly this would Ido for your sake! that my father would be so harsh—so wicked———” ‘‘ Listen to me, Selina,” interrupted Launcelot; “‘ and I will tell you exactly how the entire mat- ter stands. This is the 24th of May: your father has fixed the 31st for the bridal. My pa- rents have implored and entreated that I will throw no obstacle in the way: ia ‘“‘ What ?” exclaimed Selina: “they ask you to sacrifice yourself ?” _ ‘Alas, yes! Perhaps they have a right to de- mand this sacritice at the hand of their son !— perhaps they are justified in looking to me as the one who shall redeem the fortunes of an ancient family from destruction, and the name of a proud lineage from disgrace!” - > ¢ _ Selina reflected for upwards of a minute; and then she inquired, ‘‘ What answer did you make them ?” ‘“‘T gave them none: I quitted their presence in ~ despair! I could not tell them that I would see ruin brought down upon their head without taking the steps that*should avert it :—neither could I on the other hand r _ He stopped short ; and Selina said, “ I under- stand you! You could not on the other hand trample all your hopes under foot, and in a mo- ment seal your own unhappiness! But what is to be done ? One week—one short week P ‘That is all,” said Launcelot. . _ © And what—what would be the consequences,” pursued Selina, “if I were to give the most posi- tive and absolute refusal to accompany you to the altar? Would ruin be immediate? would it come with a crash? or would there be yet a chance of staving it off for a period ?” ‘‘No chance!” replied Launcelot.. “Such is the position of my father’s affairs that your father could at any moment seize the estates for no less a sum than fifty thousand pounds. Yes—and the house in London and all the furniture for a further sum of ten thousand - “‘T did not know that my father had ever been wealthy enough to lend such large amounts,” said Selina, in bewildered amazement. “Oh! Ihave not even mentioned the worst,” proceeded Launcelot. ‘My father is indebted to your's altogether to the amount of eighty thou- ’ sand pounds: but the first seizure that would be made is for fifty only. However, it would require little of additional legal processes to consummate the ruin of the Trentham family !” ~ “ And we have but one week before us!” said Selina, who spoke abstractedly, as if she were -revolying in her mind some idea that had occurred But are you certain . to her: ‘only one short week to avert this de- plorable catastrophe! Nevertheless,” she added, ‘something shall be done—something must be done! Heaven itself will not permit so much infamy to be accomplished! Launcelot, we are friends. I swear to you that I will never seek against your will to be anything more. And now leave me. Alas! I have no words of hope to hold out at this moment But still—but still—there is something in my, mind which prevents me from sinking altogether into despair.” ‘Such an assurance from your lips,” exclaimed Launcelot, almost with eathusiasm, “is tanta- mount to the proclaiming of a hope. But in whatever manner all these things may result, I shall never forget, Selina, your goodness—your magnanimity! May God in heaven bless you!” _ He wrung her hand with the impassioned fer- vour of the most heartfelt gratitude, and then hurried from the apartment. CHAPTER XXXI. ASTLEY’S. , THERE were unusual attractions at Astléy’s in the evening of the day of which we have just been writing. ° A magnificent equestrian spectacle was announced under the name of “ Valentine and Orson,” and a real bear’ was to appear in the cir- cus, supposed to be the veritable animal who nourished Orson along with its own little cubs in the forest. The celebrated acrobat, Mr. Blundell, was to perform the part of Orson—an impersona- tion which would afford that individual an oppor- tunity of displaying his skill by climbing. up and down trees, and performing a thousand antics, such as the wild man might be supposed to have indulged in. Mademoiselle Imogene, arrayed in a complete suit of beautiful armour, was to enact the part of the young knight Valentine; and it was expected that with her equestrian skill, her fine Bayadere-like form, and her remarkably handsome countenance, she would perform that chivalrous sole with the most striking effect. Miss Alice Denton and Mademoiselle Rose were also to figure conspicuously in the Grand Spectacle, the announcement of which produced an immense sensation throughout the neighbourhood of Lam- beth in particular, and the frequenters of Astley’s in general. ; A little while before the doors of the theatre were opened, Mr. Sylvester Casey sauntered over Westminster Bridge, smoking his cigar. He had dined at a coffee-house in Bridge Street,—his repast having consisted of a couple of mutton chops, potatoes, bread, and a pint of ale, the whole coming to sixteen pence, leaving twopence for the waiter when a shilling and sixpence were thrown down upon the table. ; Just at the foot of the bridge Sylvester ran against Launcelot Osborne, who seemed to be walking along in a thoughtful and abstracted manner. “Why, my dear fellow!” exclaimed young Casey, “ people don’t keep their eyes fixed on the pavement when they’re walking through the crowded thoroughfares of London in the evening.” COMO i epee ee aleethe YN Wn) Colin