The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 276: what you’re looking at

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

~~ Le 262 that I had no idea of finding company here this evening: ” ‘‘ No farther apology is necessary, Monsieur de Mandeville,” interrupted Count Olonetz; ‘‘ and now proceed.” “T need but mention the name of Ivan Za- douski ‘“‘T know it,” interrupted Olonetz. the aide-de-camp with whom a certain female escaped from Tobolsk—her paramour -in a word.” ‘““The same, my lord,” said Mandeville. “I do not know whether the Russian Government cares anything about that man at present, or whether | it be perfectly indifferent in respect alike to his | whereabouts or proceedings.” ‘“* Why do you ask ?” inquired Olonetz. ‘“‘ Simply, my lord, because I know where this | Ivan Zadouski is, and can lay my hands upon | him at any moment.” ‘‘ Indeed?” said the Count : is looking after his former mistress ?” ‘‘ Candidly, my lord,” said Mandeville, ‘‘ I be- lieve that Zadouski is very capable of hatching any mischief -if the opportunity should serve. I have made inquiries concerning him. and desperate - “* And being acquainted with so many secrets,” muttered Olonetz between his lips. “Ts therefore all the more dangerous,” added | Mandeville. “True,” said Olonetz. ‘‘ I must think over it. I am infinitely obliged to you, Monsieur de Man- deville, for bringing me this information.” ‘‘ And perhaps your lordship will no longer consider my presence here an intrusion ?” ‘‘ By no means,” responded Olonetz, who was too diplomatically cautious to give offence to one who might in any way serve his purposes. “ I beg you to remain, Monsieur de Mandeville ; and in the name of the Countess I ask you to partake of the banquet which will be presently served.” Mandeville bowed; and as he was about to turn away to another part of the room, he stopped short, and looking Olonetz full in the face, he said in a low impressive tone, “‘ Perhaps your lordship will remember my proper designa- tion when next addressing me before the company. IT am Count de Mandeville.” ‘“‘T shall not forget it,” responded the Russian Plenipotentiary, not altogether able to repress a smile at this new stroke of bold dexterous policy which the adventurer had just played. Mandeville then lounged away from the spot where the preceding colloquy had taken place ; and he was gazing about in every direction in search of Ethel, when he felt some one touch him on the elbow; and glancing round he beheld a tall distinguished-looking personage, about forty years of age, with light brown hair, auburn whiskers, and large blue eyes. This was the Grand Duke; and Mandeville at once recognised him by means of a portrait which he had seen ; for this was the first time that he had ever set eyes upon his Imperial Highness in person. Man- deville’s first impulse was to apologise for having abstractedly run against the Grand Duke, as he thought that he must have done: but his Impe- rial Highness, at once raising his finger to his lip, beckoned him to follow. and then after a. few moments’ reflection, he added, ‘‘ Perhaps he ' He is poor | | hands. _you announced as Count Mandeville. A gt ra a i ere ctr eR THE YOUNG DUCHESS 3; OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. “Ho! ho!” thought Mandeville to himself; ‘‘T am wanted by the Grand Duke now—am 1? So much the better. But I must be cautious though ; for it will not do to play any tricks with Count Olonetz.” The Grand Duke led the way to a little room | opening from the inner apartment, and where “He was | prints and books lay upon the table for the re- a creation of those who might temporarily choose | to adjourn thither. ‘We have no time to lose in useless discourse, sir,” the Grand Duke at once began speaking in a low but quick tone, and keeping his eyes fixed upon the door with a visible anxiety lest the pre- sent interview should be interrupted. ‘I hap- pened to pass behind the pillar just now, while you were conversing with Count Olonetz—lI caught a name, and nothing more a “And that name, your Highness ?” asked Mandeville. The Grand Duke looked cautiously around, and then breathed the name— ‘Ivan Za- douski.” ‘True, your Highness, I mentioned that name.” : “Where is the man ?” asked the Grand Duke. “Tn London,” was Mandeville’s response. “T know nof, sir, to what extent,” resumed the Prince, “TI dare make any claim upon your good- nature : equally ignorant am I whether I shall be insulting you by promising to hold in grateful remembrance the boon which I seek at your I may add that I am perhaps still more in the dark as to what your views and intentions may be in communicating with Count Olonetz in reference to that person ys ‘Would your Imperial Highness at once favour me with your commands,” said Mandeville; ‘‘and I shall then be better enabled to reply frankly and candidly to your Highness.” ‘Well spoken,” said.the Prince. ‘I heard Surely a nobleman of your distinction can have no sinister dealings with Count Olonetz ?” “Your Imperial Highness only does me jus- tice,” said Mandeville, thinking it fit to draw himself up with an air of dignity. ‘ Accident made me acquainted with Ivan Zadouski, and circumstances led me to mention his name to my friend Olonetz 2 ‘‘Count Mandeville,” interrupted the Grand Duke, “I do not know what those circumstances could be—I do not ask you—I will not seek to penetrate into your secrets. Neither will I in- quire what you may know, or how you may be mixed up But no matter! To the point! Wil] you—will you serve me by procuring for me a secret interview with Ivan Zadouski ?” ‘*T will, your Imperial Highness,” answered Mandeville. ‘‘A secret interview, mind!” continued the Prince, who was becoming nervous and agitated, —‘‘an interview at which none else shall be present, but where he andI may be alone together —in some lonely place—in the Park—on one of the’ bridges—in the middle of the night—any- where!” “Good heavens!” said Mandeville, affecting a sudden uneasiness as a means of drawing the Prince out, “ does your Imperial Highness seek a hostile encounter i em ee COMO YN Wn) Colin