The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 222: what you’re looking at

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

t Pm ae ee 298 THE YOUNG DUCIIESS; i, OS not two sisters—Lady Langport and Miss Mal- colm ?” and again she laughed as she emphasized the word. ‘But no matter. I am not going to begin my share of sovereignty within these walls by an act of unkindness or tyranny. So keep your room, Ethel—and I will endeavour to make my- self comfortable in this. Ahf you have brought me three or four dresses—eh ?” “Tt must be some days,” said Ethel, ‘‘ before a dressmaker can supply your wardrobe.” “Oh we will make them work night and day,” said Mildred. “I shall not spare the money in that quarter—nor in any other, I can tell you. Besides, I already see plenty of things that want alteration here. The idea of concealing those beautiful drawing-rooms behind such gloom! Why, the house wants a new front with fine large modern windows. However, I will soon show you what my taste is on the point.” Ethel made no answer, but she was moving to- wards the door. “* Just stop one minute,” cried Mildred, “ and let us see whether these dresses become me. I intend to imitate my sister in the excellence of her toilets. In fact, my dear Ethel, I have already revolved a thousand different plans in my mind. Ah! you will be dazzled by some of them, I can assure you. - Now what, for instance, can be more probable than that I, as Miss Malcolm—elegantly dressed—well off—moving in the best society— and? not so very bad- looking, should captivate some rich old English peer? I don’t care a fig how old he is! All I want is rank—yes, title and position. You understand me, Ethel? I have been knocked about in the world for half my life; and I mean the other half to be spent in luxury, pleasure, and enjoyment. And why not? Ihave now at length got the chance, and I shall not throw it away. Do you not agree with me?” Really,” said Ethel, coldly and distantly, “I am unable to offer you an opinion upon the sub- ject.” ; “Nonsense!” cried Mildred. ‘You must in your heart acknowledge that J am right. Surely you are not devoured with scruples? By the bye, I forgot to ask—are you a widow? or is your husband alive and you are separated from him ?” Ethel’s countenance became crimson; and it was with the utmost difficulty she could restrain her feelings, as she murmured, ‘I am a widow.” ‘Then let me tell you'that the best thing you can do,” exclaimed Mildred, “is to think of marrying again. Young and beautiful as you are : ‘Pray what dress will you wear now?” in- quired Ethel quickly. Mildred made her selection; and Ethel at once sought an excuse for leaving the room, by saying, “T will send up a lady’s-maid to assist you in your toilet.” PY CHAPTER XLII. MILDRED AND ETHEL Wuen Mildred’s toilet was accomplished, she de- scended to the drawing-room, where she found Lady Langport. Her ladyship observed, with a feeling of inaternal pride which arose within her OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY Gf QUALITY. LT despite all circumstances, the great improvement which was effected in Mildred’s- looks by that change of apparel; and she contemplated her daughter with affectionate admiration. “Now, do. you know,” said Mildred, sinking with a lounging ease into an arm-chair, “‘ that 1 i you are beginning by treating me rather unhand- | somely-——” “What?” ejaculated Lady Langport, starting with mingled astonishment and grief. “Why, yes,” pursued Mildred. “You allow this favourite Ethel of your’s to keep the second- best chamber, while you thrust me into a very inferior room.” “Mildved !” cried her ladyship, “is it possible that you begin by reproaching me?—that on the very first day of our restoration to each other, you can find it in your heart to make com- plainte ?” “‘T was only telling you what I think and feel.” “T am sorry you do not like your chamber,” said Lady Langport; “but we will have deco- rators and upholsterers, and it shall be completely renovated for you.” “Well, that is better,” said Mildred; ‘and it is indeed exactly what I should have ordered to be done, even if you had not suggested it that is to say, supposing that I consented to keep the chamber.” “Tt is the best after mine and Ethel’s,” said her ladyship, who was looking more or less hurt and surprised at the tone in which her daughter spoke. “A fter Ethel's ?” cried Mildred. ‘But I should rather think that mine ought to be before Ethel’s,” ““T beseech you—Oh! I beseech you,” said her ladyship, earnestly and appealingly, ‘not to interfere with any arrangements that have been made in reference to Ethel. I love her dearly ; and—and—she is indispensable to me. Besides, she is acquainted with our secrets——” “Tell me something about this Ethel of your’s ?” demanded Mildred. ‘“ You seem to place implicit confidence in her.” “And she deserves it,” rejoined Lady Lang- port. ‘She took the greatest interest in every- thing that concerned you ‘‘ How long has she been with you ?” “Only a very short time,” answered Lady Langport,—“ but little more than a fortnight.” ‘“‘Ah, to be sure! I think I remember that she told me so. But you must have known her longer than that ?” ‘She was unknown to me before she came.” “Then she was well recommended ?” said Mil- dred inquiringly. “T took her without any recommendation at all,” answered Lady Langport: ‘I was at once prepossessed in her favour. Look at her sweet beautiful face—the goodness that reposes in those hazel eyes! Have you yet seen her little boy ?” Mildred answered in the negative. “A beautiful child,” continued Lady Langport, ‘of about eleven months old. I am sure you will like him, Mildred.” ** Ah !—only eleven months old, and the mother a widow! But she is not in mourning nor even in half-mourning; and yet methought that in England widows wore mourning for a couple of years 2” COMO YN Wn) Colin