The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 356: what you’re looking at

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842 eager and anxious inquiry. ‘You see how faith- fully I have kept my word !” ‘* But not without a violent inclination to break it,” interjected the physician, with one of his good-tempered benevolent smiles. ‘‘ Witness the note and the two messages , ‘‘Yes—I was indeed urgent!” exclaimed Ed- ward; “aye, and at the earliest hour this morn- ing, too, at which I could in propriety send to you; because I have something of the utmost importance to communicate to that poor girl!” The doctor’s countenance became grave; and he said, ‘‘I do really hope, Mr. Walpole, that it is nothing which may renew the excitement of yesterday ?” ‘Do you mean, doctor, that there is anything serious to be apprehended on the part of your patient ?—anything more than what you have told me? Speak !—do speak, I conjure you!” ‘Mr. Walpole, I am not one who has the habit of making molehills into a mountain ; nor do I ever study to increase my own professional importance by assuming mysterious airs, or by enhancing the danger of the cases brought under my cognisance. I would not for the world trifle with the feelings, nor unnecessarily work upon the fears of those who are interested in my patients ‘* Good Goa! !” exclaimed Walpole, with dis- mayed looks ; ** to what is this preface to lead ?” “Simply to this,” answered the physician,— —" that Miss Sergeant’s nerves have sustained a very great shock—there is indeed every indica- tion of their having been strongly wrought upon for some time past—she is moreover very young —and she has evidently suffered much. She therefore requires all possible care; for every fresh source of excitement is a blow struck at a vital part ; whereas she needs every species of anodyne.” “ But if the intelligence I have to communicate be good?” asked Walpole eagerly. ‘‘ Ah, well—that is certainly something,” re- turned the physician; ‘‘ and heaven knows that I should be the last to stand in the way of such species of anodynes being administered! But yet happiness has its excitement as well as afflic- tion has ; and the very state to which Miss Ser- geant is now brought arose from her joy in meet- ing you. However, you must go to her—that is clear enough. But pray be cautious in breaking your good news gradiently and considerately.” Walpole pressed the physician’s hand, and was about to dart away from the carriage window at which this colloquy took place, when the worthy doctor beckoned him back, and said in a low but earnest. tone, ‘‘ Now mind and be cautious, Mr. Walpole; for it is not without reason, I assure you, that Miss Sergeant requires the utmost mental tranquillity. Without attempting to penetrate into whatsoever may have been the nature of the sufferings through which she has passed, yet I am bound as an honest man to tell you that they have left upon her an effect which can only be repaired by the mode of treatment I have suggested. I do not say this to frighten you: I have been still more studious in endea- vouring to avoid frightening her : but I repeat my warnisg, that this is indeed no case to be trifled with.” The carriage then drove away, and Edward pp i gr i a THE YOUNG DUCHESS; OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. Walpole stood looking after it for several mo- ments, as he with some doubt and anxiety weighed in his mind what could be the precise meaning of the physician’s words, and whether indeed there were even more danger in the case than he had chosen to admit? But youth is a period of hope; and therefore Edward did not long remain de- sponding; nor did he willingly abandon himself to the contemplation of the worst side of the pic- ture. No!—he suddenly started away from the spot where he had remained standing; and as he hurried in the direction of Hester's lodgings, he felt his spirits rise almost into complete buoyancy as he mentally ejaculated, ‘The good doctor ig naturally cautious !—his warning shall not be neg- lected! But the tidings which I have now to break to Hester, will be inevitably fraught with all the most healing influences !” On entering the apartment where Hester re- clined upon the sofa, Walpole hastened towards her with inquiries anxiously and tenderly put; and as he took her hand, he pressed his lips to her brow His conduct towards her was that which a brother might display towards a sister. The instant the door had opened a vivid blush appeared upon Hester’s cheeks, which the next moment be- came deadly pale; and she half averted her looks as if ashamed to encounter those of Walpole. He sat down by her side; and still retainiug her hand in his own, he said in a gentle voice, ‘‘ The kind doctor tells me that you must not be excited, Hester—and he has told you the same. There- fore we must be very quiet in our discourse a “And at all events,” interjected the young woman, ‘I shall feel much better when this in- terview is over. I know not how it is, Edward Ah! how strange it seems to me to call you by this Christian name instead of that by which I knew you in other times!” ‘What were you going to say, Hester? You know not how it is as ‘“‘No—I can scarcely define my own feelings,” continued the girl, pressing his hand, but averting her looks; ‘for my emotions are s0 contradictory and so inconsistent one with another! I like to see you—and yet I feel ashamed in your presence! I looked forward with a tender yearning to your arrival—and yet I dreaded it!” ‘You need not blush in my presence, Hester,” said Edward, with mingled tenderness and solem- nity. “You are not responsible for the past— circumstances made you what you were’ For the present you are safe—and for the future there shall be atonement and happiness.” ‘‘ The future ?” repeated Hester softly. ‘ Oh! if you mean the future of this life, you are not speaking of a very long period; for I feel, Edward, as if death cannot be far off. And perhaps his presence will not be altogether unwelcome!” “Speak not thus, Hester!—speak not thus!” exclaimed Edward Walpole vehemently, and yet shudderingly ; for he recollected all that the good physician had said, and he now thought, as he gazed upon the girl's pale face, that it was indeed only too possible the bloom of health might never be brought, back: to it. ‘Well, dear Edward,” she answered, smiling with a sweetness that had not for along time past appeared upon those lips of her's, ‘I will say nothing to vex or grieve you, for you are so kind to me!” COMO YN Wn) ee rp ce ct a A ee tp | Colin