The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 350: what you’re looking at

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¢ ee ee 336 she was doing: then she listened abstractedly, until a full sense of the crone’s meaning broke upon her—and abruptly withdrawing her hand, she gave vent to a laugh of scornful mockery. “What do I mean?” she cried, in answer to the dame’s question. ‘‘ Why, I mean that it would be strange indeed if I who had been your pupil in the days of my innocence, should now place my- self under you to be trained more thoroughly and completely in the ways of vice than I already am! No, no! you keep to your own sphere, and let me keep to mine! It is enough that we have met once to recall the past most painfully to us both —at least to me!” ' “Then you will not accept my REOposa ?” cried the hag, quivering with rage. ‘““No—I will not,” answered the girl boldly. ‘Hush! here comes my sister!—and there is some one with her!” ° And sure enough footsteps were at the moment heard entering the house; and a voice was ex- claiming, ‘as if in tipsy mirthfulness, ““ What! got a bottle of lush, ol dame? Then, by jingo! I'll come and help you drink it—and pay for another too!” | then she sprang abruptly up to’ her feet, and was seized’ with a stroug visible agitation. Caroline Mor phew entered, saying, ‘ Wall in, a pay walk in.’ I’m sure you'll be welcome.” She was followed by a young man who was somewhat shabbily dressed, and wore a rough loose overcoat, though it was summer. The young girl remained transii xed: but the instant he caught sight of her, a cry of joy burst-from his lips; and exclaiming, “Hester! at last [have found you!” he sprang forward tv catch her in his arms. “No, no! Stand’ back, Thomas Robinson !” she cried, or rather shrieked ‘forth, as ‘she: herself suddenly stepped back and raised her ar m as if to beckon him off. “Come not near me4,.touch me not! . You see the vile thing I am! Iam ‘Pol- lution’s self!” “Poor girl !’and young Robinson caught her in his arms, just as she was about to’sink - ‘down overwhelmed by the Bower ‘and weight of ineffable emotions. ——— CHAPTER LXIV. THE JASTENER AT TILE CASEMENT. On the day following his singular adventure at Charlton Villa, Edward Walpole did not visit his relatives at Highbury House; but in the evening ‘he drove up into that neighbourhood, and left his phaeton at the same tavern where it had stopped for him on the preceding night. He was inspired by a wish to see Azaline again. It was true that she had told him she should leave Charlton Villa in the course of this’ particular. day;.but on the other hand he thought it quite probable that she might have prolonged her visit. At all events he had decided upon taking his chance in the matter; for he did not dare call upon the young lady: at her parents’ residence, as she had given’ him no invitation to do so, nor indeed any encouragement. him than he could wish her to do ; have addressed to her. Hester had “staneed when that voice was first - heard ‘speaking at the threshold of the front door: THE YOUNG DUCHESS, OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. in their parting, or at least on her side; and he was afraid that she was to some little degree offended by the pertinacity with which he had proposed the continuation of their acquaintance. He could not bear to think that this bright and beautiful creature should think less favourably of and moreover there were other and scarcely definable sentiments which were prompting him to seek’ auOkne® inter- view with the Hon. Miss Osborne: Thus was it that, taking the chance of finding her at Charlton Villa, Edward Walpole -returned into that neighbourhood. It was not his purpose to present himself-at the house as an ordinary visitor might do; for he did not know but that he might be denied admission by Lady Amesbury after the remonstrances which’ Azaline was sure to Besides, he. thought there was something peculiarly romantic in Azaline’s disposition, and that his own proceedings towards her would acquire an additional charm if they were conducted in a kindred vein. ’ After these explanations, the reader will not be astonished to find: Edward Walpole making his way stealthily through the grounds of Charlton Villa between nine and ten o’clock in the evening. He ‘saw that there’was a light in the room from which the sounds of .the tambottrine, and the ‘ castanets, and the silvery flow of laughter had emanated on the-preceding night: he observed also that the casement was again open—and age drew near, he h¢ard voices in’ conversation. 18 heart beat more quickly, for he. recognised those voices :—the presentiment which had brought him on this occasion’ to that spot had not deserved him—for, Azaline Osborne was there! e He drew still nearer to the casement, treading noiselessly as he advanced; and he soon arrived sufficiently clese to be enabled to look through ‘the screen of verdure and of natural beauties formed by flowers on the green stand in the window recess. There was Azaline, in her evening toilet, reclining upon the sofa with that sort of self-abandonment which in itself was perfectly. innocent because she believed that- no male eye was near, but which in reality had an air most provokingly volupfuous. Near her Lady Amesbury was: seated; ard” she’ held a large piece of cardboard in her hand. There was a picture upon it—but what the subject was Edward Walpole could not immediately perceive. . And so this is really. your ‘phantasy, my dear Azaline?” said Lady Amesbury. ‘tT am positively serious,” replied Miss Osborne ; but at the same time her beautiful mouth was wreathed into a smile the good-humoured sweet- ness of which might have engendered a doubt whether she was really guite so serious as she pretended. ° Iidward Walpole was about to beat a retreat, that he might reflect upon the course which he should pursue—whether he should announce him- self al the window, or go boldly round to the front door—for he did not like to remain any longer an eavesdropper and a listener where two ladies believed themsclves to be completely alone. But something that Azaline next said, in reply to ‘Lady Amesbury’s previous question, riveted him to the spot. ‘You ask me, my friend, whether that is really my phantasy ?—and I tell you that I am serious. He felt that there was a certain degree of coldness | I smile—and you look incredulous. But why Comilcloolkks Colin