The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 270: what you’re looking at

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256 THE YOUNG DUCHESS, OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. Launcelot, that on your decision now depends our salvation, or our destruction !” “‘Consider, Mr. Osborne,” said Bulteel, ‘the bailiff is in possession for twenty thousand pounds —everything will be sold off, even to the very plate and jewels ” ‘“‘No—nothing! nothing!” cried the voice of a female who came flying into the room with her veil over her countenance. ‘'Here— here are twenty thousand pounds !”—and falling at Lady Trentham’s feet, she presented a small packet which she drew forth from the bosom of her dress. Ejaculations of astonishment were now heard bursting from many lips ;—and as for Launcelot, he was so smitten with a bewildering amazement, that he stood riveted to the spot, unable even to stretch forth a hand to raise up Imogen from the Kneeling posture into which she had thrown her- self. ‘Good heavens! who is this?” Trentham: what does it mean ?” “What did I hear?” exclaimed Azaline, who had now reached the threshold, on which she stopped short in astonishment. ‘‘Open the packet!” said Lord Trentham, in all the excitement of the most feverish suspense, “Here! give it me! Hah! it is indeed so! Bank notes for thousands! Oh, we are saved!” ‘Yes, we are saved!” cried Lady Trentham. ‘But who is she ?” “Rise, my well beloved,” ejaculated Launcelot, “Cand explain this miracle !” But Imogen’s head fell forward against Lady cried Lady Trentham’s knees; for overpowered by her emo-] tions, the actress had fainted. Launcelot raised her in his arms: Azaline sprang forward to render her assistance; and as the veil was lifted, it re- vealed a countenance which was at once recog- nised by Lord and Lady Trentham. They knew it was she who a month back had found her way so singularly into their presence, and whom at the time they had taken for Selina! “Why, may I be hanged,” exclaimed Bulteel, “if it isn’t Mademoiselle Imogene of the Circus !” “To be sure!” added the bailiff: ‘ the horse- |. riding gal.” It was almost a scream that burst from Lady Trentham’s lips ; but in a tone of thrilling fervour Launcelot exclaimed, “ Think you not that I am proud to acknowledge that she is the object of my love, after the noble deed which she has just per- formed ?” “ At all events,” said Lord Trentham, who was too selfish not to be ready with the utmost avidity to avail himself of the means so strangely if not miraculously provided for ridding himself of his unpleasant visitors,—‘' at all events here is the wherewith, Mr. Bulteel, to satisfy your demand ; and as for any other considerations,” he added, significantly glancing towards his son, ‘they must stand over at least until to-morrow. Come to another room, and we will settle the present business.” The lawyer and the two bailiffs followed his lordship from the library. Launcelot made a sign for the servants who had entered or who had gathered at the door, to withdraw likewise; and Imogen therefore remained alone with her lover, his mother, and his sister. She was now regain- ing her consciousness: she sat up on the sofa ee ee where she had been placed—she looked around— her recollections instantaneously flashed back into her brain—she knew all that had occurred. ‘“‘Tmogen,” said Launcelot, in the low deep voice which indicated a concentration of indescribable emotions, ‘‘ you have done a deed the generosity of which is scarcely equalled by its miraculous associations !” “You mean, Launcelot,” she said, ‘that it amounts to,a positive marvel how I, the humble actress, could have been in possession of such a sum. It was my fortune—no matter how ob- tained. You at least, Launcelot, know me well enough to be assured that it was not acquired by dishonourable means.” “And I,” said Azaline fervently, ‘though almost as much overwhelmed by my wonder as by my gratitude, am convinced of the truth of the words which have just issued from your lips.” “TI know not what to say to you,” began Lady Trentham, who was immensely embarrassed by the present position of circumstances. ‘On the one hand I am at a loss for language to express all I feel for what you have done: but on the other hand I tremble at the claim that you may make — at the recompense that you may de- mand. ” ‘Tremble not, lady,” interrupted Imogen. ‘Fear not that I have found my way hither for the sake of rendering you unhappy! Hear me while 1 swear that never without your consent and that of Lord Trentham ——” “Tmogen, swear not!” cried Launcelot in an excited tone. St “Yes,” she continued, “‘I will swear, and her ladyship will believe me. And after all,” she added, in a tone which suddenly altered singu- larly and strikingly, “your ladyship may rest assured that I know my own position. I, the actress—perhaps scorned and looked lightly upon —I can never aspire to be more than I now am to your son! What that is ” “Imogen! Imogen!” exclaimed Launcelot, be- conting purple with shame and confusion. ““T need say no more—I am understood!” cried the actress. ‘And now farewell!” With these words she glided towards the door; and so sudden was the movement that she disappeared before Launcelot even thought of following her. Then he darted towards the-door —but he found that she had locked it on the other side. gained admittance into the house from the back premises on which that casement looked— but Imogen was gone. CHAPTER I. THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR. ANOTHER scene which requires our attention, oc- curred on this same evening of which we are writing. Thus, while the Caseys were engaged in the business which took them to Windmill Street—and while Imogen was displaying the blended generosity and singularity of her dispo- sition at Trentham House— Count Mandeville was receiving a visitor at the Clarendon Hotel. He leapt from the window—he re- | COMO YN Wn) eee ee Colin