The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 274: what you’re looking at

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eee an 260 “My good friend,” interrupted the Ambassador, laying his hand upon Mandeville’s arm, “this is nothing new which you are telling me: nor must - you bestow upon the Russians all the credit of a proceeding which, as you term it, may on occasions be found very useful and convenient. His gracious Majesty Louis Philippe has on two or three occa- sions—perhaps more—caused the same thing to be done.” . ‘‘T rather thought as much,” said Mandeville; “but I was delicate in expressing my opinion point blank; and therefore I am glad you have put me at my ease upon the topic.. Indeed, me- thought that those corps in Algeria which are called the Condemned Regiments might have their uses in more ways than one.’ ‘You are right, Count,” said the Ambassador. ‘‘ All who are obnoxious to his Majesty, or become the objects of suspicion, are sent off, to join those ranks, wherein their. names and identities are as completely lost as if they suddenly found them- . selves plunged amidst a chain of galley-slaves. The least act of insubordination is punished with death: and thus as remonstrance,’ or complaint, or entreaty, if too violently urged, are construed into insubordination, I can assure you there is very little of all that in the Condemned Regi- ments.” ey understand, ” said Mandeville. ; “The men all feel that they are doomed. beings and that death only can rescue them: from their present state.” “ Precisely so. And now to what is all this to lead?” asked the Ambassador. ' “Would you have me seize on the whole six conspirators ?” ‘Nothing of the sort, your Excellency. I am. not such an idiot,” continued Mandeville, ‘ as to suppose that the sudden and simultaneous disap- pearance of half-a-dozen individuals from’ the midst of the metropolis, could fail to ‘excite the gravest suspicions and lead to the most searching inquiries. But in respect to the disappearance of ‘one person, it is different. Therefore one person only is to be carried off !—and this circumstance, together with some other little device that’ may be adopted, will prove sufficient to break up the conspiracy, and disperse the conspirators, ‘with a terrorism hanging ‘over’ their minds sufficient-to make them shrink from any meddling with ‘such machinations for the future.” ‘‘T understand,” said the Ambassador: ‘‘it is the Englishman who is to be thus disposed of ?” “Tt is he,” rejoined Mandeville. ‘“‘ And now may I beg your Excellency to listen to the in- structions which I have to give ?—for according to certain information which I have succeeded in obtaining, the blow can be struck to-morrow evening.” ‘‘Good,” said the Ambassador. ‘But still, my dear Count, let me remind you that down to this point you have not afforded me a single proof that the facts are precisely as you repre- sent them. Not that I doubt’ your statement! —but remember that I shall have to give an ac- count to others. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and King Louis Philippe himself ‘“‘Patience, patience, your Excellency !” inter- rupted Mandeville. ‘The very proceeding which I am counselling you to adopt in reference to this Englishman, will put you in possession of the most ample proofs.” “That is all ] require,” rejoined the Ambassador. THE YOUNG DUCHESS; OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. The two remained closeted together for about a quarter of an hour longer, during which Mande- ville gave certain detailed instructions, of which ‘the Ambassador made notes in his pocket-book. His Excellency then took his leave; and as the door, closed behind him; Mandeville rubbed his hands as he chucklingly muttered to himself— “Thus far the plot is laid, and success is certain on that point!” But almost immediately afterwards graver con- siderations came into his mind; and as he slowly paced to and fro in the’ apartment, he said to himself, ‘Although I have rendered this con- spiracy available for the purpose of getting rid of that man, yet the conspiracy itself must be broken up, or I shall lose all credit with the Am- bassador!- Besides, he’ might discover likewise that the connexion of the ‘Englishman, therewith is all sheer’ invention on ‘my own part: Yes—I can break up the ‘conspiracy !—there is no doubt of that! The letter which I propose the Am- bassador should write’ will have the desired effect. ‘But what if’by any chance I myself should be suspected” as the traitor? what if those desperate “men should have reason to suppose that I had _only found my way into their midst for the pur- pose of betraying them? My life would not be worth a moment’s purchase! Ah, and life is be- coming’ dearer and dearer than ever ; for I am rising in the world! I ‘must therefore protect myself—I must surround that valuable life with all ‘possible defences. There is only one of those fellows whom I dread—only one who is at all likely to settle his suspicions upon me !—and that. is Ivan Zadouski. .Yes—him only need I dread; fot by the’ very ‘manner in which: I’became ac- quainted with him in Paris, may he come to the conclusion that I'am not what I represented my- self to be. But how to dispose of him ?” At this: moment the ‘door of the apartment opened ; and’ Edmund Vaughan, Count Mande- ville’s valet, made his appearance. | “ Well, what is it ?” inquired the Count. “If you please, sir, I have succeeded in an- other little piece of business which you entrusted to me.” “Ah! And what may that be ?” ‘“*'You know the lady that you ordered me to make inquiries about, sir—who disappeared so suddenly from the little lodging-house in Camden Town about three weeks ago _ ‘“‘Ah! Ethel Trevor ?” ejaculated Mandeville. “What! is it possible “I have found out, sir, where she is living. I employed an anderling to follow up the clue which I had obtained ‘“ And what was that clue?” “T saw the young lady this afternoon in a very handsome carriage, with another young lady and a fine-looking gentleman; and so I got this un- derling to follow her ; and lo and behold! he has just now been to give me the information—for he could not very well come earlier.” ‘Where does she live ?” inquired Mandeville impatiently. ‘“‘ At Count Olonetz’, in Grosvenor Square.” ‘At Count Olonetz’ 2” exclaimed Mandeville in astonishment. “Tt is as I tell you, sir ; and from the inquiries which have been made, I learn that the young lady only arrived there this day.” YN Wn) COMO Colin