The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 246: what you’re looking at

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

a a © 232 Ss ee = se THE YOUNG DUCHESS; OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. responded Mildred. “ But I think it my duty to tell you something, Ethel: for since we agreed to be friends, and you declared this morning that you had no ill-will towards me, I must show you that I am deserving of kindly feelings on your part.” Ethel remained silent. She could not possibly give back assurances of friendship when she knew that those which she was receiving were as false and hollow as they could be: but “she marvelled to what end this insidious preface was to lead.. “T have been thinking,” resumed Mildred, “ that situated as I am, it is more than probable that I may experience annoyances from a certain person u “Ah!” said Ethel: and then, as a recollection struck her, she at once added, ‘‘ But I thought you informed me that you no longer dreaded Count Mandeville ?—for it is doubtless to him that you are alluding.” _ ‘J do not dread him, Ethel,” rejoined Mildred : ‘* because he is only dangerous under certain cir- cumstances. But what I mean is this,—that he may seek me out—he may persecute me with his visits—and as I know from what you said that you stand in perfect horror of that man- e ‘“‘Well?” said Ethel, determined to see to what extent Mildred’s duplicity would reach. - “T was thinking,” pursued the deceitful woman, ‘that it would be very unpleasant and incon- venient for you to stand the chance of being mo- lested here by that dangerous and unprincipled person.” ‘Tf your fears on my account had arisen from generous motives,” said Ethel, ‘I -should have thanked you with fervour. But let us understand each other at once, Mildred. JI am not your dupe “ Dupe !” guage ‘Patience, and listen to me!” interrupted Ethel. “T repeat, I.am not deceived by your manceuvres. You wish to get rid of me.- You first of all en- deavoured, by your insolent supercilious conduct towards me, to render my position intolerable here ; but finding that 1 was not prepared to de- sert poor Lady Langport all in a hurry, you are now endeavouring to frighten me away.” ‘“‘ And I suppose,” said Mildred, her lips white and quivering with an ill-subdued rage, ‘‘ you mean to tell me that you will remain ?” ‘“On the contrary,” answered Ethel: ready to go.” It was almost a cry of joy which burst from Mildred’s lips; and seizing Ethel’s hand, she ex- claimed, ‘‘ Pray do not let us part in anger. Do not misunderstand me !” : ‘*T can assure you,” answered. Ethel coldly, “that I do not misunderstand you. Neither must you misunderstand me. I shall not leave Hendon Court at your bidding, nor on account of the ter- rors which you have been seeking to conjure up. But if Lady Langport of her own accord ‘inti- mates that my services are no longer useful to her, depend upon it, Mildred, I am too proud to eat the bread of indolence !” ‘ Perhaps you will go and speak to—to—my sister ?” said Mildred, emphasizing the word in that style which was so abhorrent to the ears and the feelings of the well-principled and delicate- minded Ethei. ‘‘Yes—I will go and speak to her ladyship,” echoed Mildred angrily. “ Such lan- “Tam she said: and at once separating from Mildred, she re-entered the house. Repairing to the drawing-room, Ethel found Lady Langport reclining upon the sofa. A glance was sufficient to show Ethel that her ladyship’s toilet was not characterized by the same precision and nicety—the same artistic refinement, so to speak, as when she had superintended it. There were evidences of haste and slovenliness, as well as of inexperience and incompetency, which showed that Lady Langport had gained nothing by the substitution of Mildred’s services for those of Ethel. ‘““My dear young friend,” said her ladyship, giving Ethel her hand, and speaking in a voice that was tremulous with emotion, “I’ am afraid that you may fancy I have slighted and neglected you; but what could I do, Ethel, when a dangh- ter claimed the right “You could only obey the maternal dspuilse, doubtless,” interjected Ethel. “‘Oh, my lady, I beg that you will deal candidly and frankly with me! -I know that circumstances have changed * They have, they, have !” exclaimed Lady Langport. “When you and I first met, I could not:foresee that a daughter would be so soon re- stored to me.” ‘6 And now that this daughter is restored,” said Ethel, ‘you expect to find in her all that you hoped or thought to find in me.” ~ + ‘“‘T am afraid, my dear young friend,” said her ladyship, “ that. under these altered circumstances you will not be so happy and so comfortable as you were at first.” : - ‘“In one word, Lady Langport, ” said Ethel, ‘‘do you wish me to leave you?”. . Her ladyship averted her countenance for some moments; and then she said with a sudden excla- mation, “No! God is my witness that I do not wish you to leave me!--and great would be my happiness if you and Mildred could agrée toge- ther. It is astonishing that you cannot! You, Ethel, are of the sweetest and most amiable dis- position ; .and I have now begun to discover so many excellent qualities in my daughter Why do you look so strange, Ethel ?” ‘Strange?: I look strange, dear lady? Oh, believe me that I would not willingly nor inten- tionally express by look or word an opinion rela- tive to family matters! I see that you recognise the necessity for me to leave you——” ‘And now you will think that I am ungrateful towards you!” cried Lady Langport, with a sort of hysterical vehemence : “you will remember all I said—the pledges and pr omises I exacted from you—the prospects I held out that you should never leave me except by your own wish—— ” ‘Do not excite yourself thus, dear lady, on my account,” interrupted Ethel. uy cannot charge you with ingratitude. Heaven forbid! Circum- stances have changed — and you are not respon- sible for events which you could never have fore- seen. Iam incapable of so much injustice as to deem you ungrateful !” Lady Langport wiped away the tears from her eyes; and she pressed Ethel’s hand feverishly. ‘““Tf we must part,” she said, ‘ at all events let it not be until you shall have found the means of establishing yourself comfortably elsewhere.” “T think,” said Ethel, “that I know of some- 4 en ee ee ny a COMO a ree awe. vaw Aa Colin