The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 248: what you’re looking at

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234 thing which might suit me — that I have a chance ” ‘““Gpod!” cried Lady Langport: “I am rejoiced to hear it. Your welfare will ever be dear to me; and remember, Ethel, that should circuinstances place you in a position to need the succour of a friend, you must not hesitate to apply to me. Go —leave me for the present! My feelings are overpowering me!” iithel pressed the gloved hand, and hastened from the room. She sped to her own chamber— she apparelled herself for going out—she now no longer hesitated to obey the summons contained in the letter with the large seal. She speedily issued from the house: she ran down the lane— and she caught the omnibus which she knew passed along the main road at particular hours. She entered London; and on alighting from the omnibus, she made the best of her way to the mansion of Count Olonetz in Grosvenor Square. On inquiring for the Russian Ambassador, Ethel was at once conducted to an apartment where, after remaining alone for a few minutes, she was joined by the Count. He welcomed her with that dignified courtesy which was the prin- cipal characteristic of his demeanour: he begged her to be seated—and taking a chair near her, he said, ‘I teed not ask, Mrs. Trevor, whether you have received my letter?” =. “It is in consequence of that summons, my lord,” she replied, ‘‘that I am now here.” ‘“‘As I informed you in that letter, Mrs. Tre- vor,” continued Count Olonetz, ‘the Princess Roxana is most anxious to have you as a compa- nion; ahd the Grand Duke is willing, if possible, to gratify his daughter’s wish. I therefore pro- mised that I would communicate with you, in order to see if any arrangement to that effect can be possibly made.” ‘* I need scarcely assure your Excellency that I feel highly flattered by the honour which is thus conferred upon me ; and I will moreover confess that my circumstances are such as to render the offer a very tempting one.” ‘“‘Before we proceed any further with that topic,” said the Count, “‘ be kind enough to tell me how Mildred fares with her mother ?” ‘““Itis precisely because Mildred has undertaken to perform all necessary duties towards her parent,” answered Ethel, “that I myself am no longer wanted at Hendon Court. Thus my cir- cumstances are altered. When I was here the other day, I was so situated as to be beyond the necessity of accepting the offer made to me by his Imperial Highness. “T understand,” said the Count, ‘and indeed I am not astonished. You find your position at Hendon Court very much altered in the society of Mildred? But tell me—think you that Mildred will become domesticated at Hendoti Court—that she will settle down quietly into her new mode of existence, and that her ambitious designs will not soar elsewhere ?” _ “ Mildred’s is a character, my lord, concerning which I should not like to express a strong con- viction,” answered Ethel: “ but that Mildred ought to be contented with the power she is ac- quiring and the riches she will be enjoying be- neath her mother’s roof, is beyond doubt.” “Good,” said the Count. “And now, Mrs. Trevor, let us revert to the business which has Te re ee ee THE YOUNG DUCHESS; OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. But now it is different.’ ce me — brought you hither. You have learnt from my letter Ah! by the bye,” he suddenly inter- rupted himself, “‘ fou mentioned nothing of its contents to Lady Langport or Mildred ?” “Nothing, my lord: the letter was marked Private and Confidential. Your Excellency was going to observe - ‘‘ Yes—I remember, I was about to say that you learnt from my letter,” continued Olonetz, “that my mission to the British metropolis will probably be accomplished much more speedily than was at first. anticipated, and that in a week or tea days I may leave on my return to Russia. ' The Grand Duke and the Princess will accompany me. Are you prepared to leave your native land at so short a warning ?” ‘‘T have no ties to retain me here,” responded Ethel. ‘But is your Excellency aware that I am a mother ?” “Yes: you told the Princess that you were a widow and that you had a little boy. The Grand Duke said something to you the other day, of the necessity of giving proofs of your respectability. That is a point which you may leave me to settle with his Highiiéss.” Ethel looked amazed for a moment; and she could scarcely repress an ejaculation which rose to her lips. ‘“‘Of course,” continued Olonetz, ‘you will take your child with you. The fact of your being a mother is no obstacle to the carrying-out of the present negotiation ; for the Princess has expressed her wish—the Grand Duke has sup- ported it—and I am bound to-see that it is ful- filled ” ‘* Your Excellency must receive the assurances of my most feryid gratitude,” said Ethel. ‘‘ If I did not entertain an excellent opinion of your disposition and character,” said the Count, ‘IT should not so readily assent to this arrange- ment, nor. become a party to the making of it. But now, Mrs. Trevor, there are two or three little points on which we must come to an understand- ing: for I need not remind you that your position becomes somewhat a delicate one totvards the Grand Duke and the Princess, considering your acquaintance with Mildred and her mother.” “Then I presume, my lord,” said Ethel, ‘“ that those illustrious personages remain altogether in ignorance of everything which has recently oc- curred ?” “In total and absolute ignorance,” rejoined Olonetz. ‘The Princess believes her mother to be dead: the Grand Duke knows she is alive, but is unaware of her presence in the British metropolis. Now listen to me attentively. If ever you mention the name of Lady Langport in the hearing of the Grand Duke or the Princess, you must always be upon your guard in order to prevent the suspicion that you are acquainted with anything peculiar in reference to her ladyship or her connexions.” ‘*T shall be careful on that point, my lord.” “And you will never suffer it to transpire that you have had any acquaintance with Mil- died.” ‘““Oh, it were impossible that I should be.so indiscreet!” cried Ethel: “for this would be to reveal to the Princess that her mother lives,— that mother whom it were better that she should believe to be no more !” . “ Precisely,” said the Count. ‘“ And when in YN Wn) COMO Colin