The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 397: what you’re looking at

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

a THE YOUNG DUCHESS; OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. Sylvester should have left thcm with me; for he is a somewhat slippery fellow.” ‘Can I take possession of them at once?” de- manded Ashborne. Bulteel reflected for a few moments; and then he said, hesitatingly, yet with a certain degree of Significancy, ‘I do not exactly know the will, you see, is not proved yet—the letters of admi- nistration are not taken out—Sylvester might do such a thing as enter a caveat against it—though I scarcely think he would be so foolish, inasmuch as there is not the slightest ground u “But what if I were to assert my rights at once,” interrupted Ashborne, ‘go into the study, take possession of the documents, and depart with them ?” The expression of the lawyer’s countenance deepened in significancy, as he partially shrugged his shoulders and said, ‘‘ Well, Mr. Ashborne, if you choose to take such a step there is no one to prevent you. I am now going to see Mrs. Casey for a few minutes; and then I shall seize-the im- mediate opportunity of breaking to Sylvester this change in his affairs. If in the meanwhile you choose to enter the study, lock up the papers, or take them away with you, I cannot help it.” Having thus spoken, Mr. Bulteel bowed and issued from the room. Stephen Ashborne paced to and fro for three or four minutes, wondering at all that had occurred, and asking himself whether it could be a dream ;—then abruptly hastening from the apartment, he was speeding towards the study, when he encountered Selina upon the landing. ‘Whither are you going, Stephen ?” she asked. ‘My mother will see you presently. Mr. Bulteel has just gone to speak to her, and explain the contents of the will.” ‘*T will come back and see your mother, Selina,” answered Ashborne, ‘ when I shall have fulfilled a duty which has now become paramount. Surely you must understand me, Selina? Even if the days of magic be passed, those of providential marvel still remain; and from such sources may a wand potent as that of the enchanter be derived. Such is the case now! It was no idle boast which I so recently made in your presence! Those documents sd “‘Is it possible, Stephen, that you will divest yourself of nearly all the wealth that has thus suddenly fallen into your hands ?” and it was with mingled admiration and suspense that Selina gazed upon her half-brother. ‘‘ Yes—lI will do that,” he responded, “for your sake, Selina—for your sake! Noble-hearted girl that you are, all your generous wishes on behalf of the Trentham family shall be fulfilled !” He wrung her hands; and then speeding to the study, took possession of all the bonds, securities, and other documents which related to the affairs of Lord Trentham. Securing the papers about his person, he quitted the house, took his seat in a cab, and gave the order to be driven to Berkeley | Square. The vehicle rattled away ; and Ashborne throwing himself back into the interior, folding his arms across his chest, and suffering his head to droop, gave way to his own reflections. How many important events had that day occurred! In the morning he had become a husband,the husband of the ruined and dishonoured Pamela ! In the’ afternoon he found himself the heir to a 388 fortune, and enabled to perform « generous deed upon which he was now bent! His soul had yearned to proclaim the fact that he was Selina’s half-brother; and an accident had revealed the secret which he would not have dared enunciate from his own lips. He had aspired to the pos- session of a particular power at a moment when it seemed impossible that this aspiration could be realised even by the wildest freak of romance: but it nevertheless was realised—that power was now in his possession—it «as the enchanter’s wand that he was grasping—and he was on his way to wield it with effect! It all seemed to be dream- like — incredible — as Stephen Ashborne rapidly ran his mental glances over the quick succession of accidents which had thus characterised this memorable day. The vehicle was Ming onward—the districts of Hatton Garden and Holborn were already left far behind—and the West End was reached. Still as the cab pursued its way, Stephen Ashborne continued wrapped in deep meditation,—until he was abruptly startled by a voice exclaiming, “Stop, stop! Are you engaged ?” “Don’t you see lam?” responded the driver gruffly. “But what’s the matter, yellow-plush ?” These words were addressed to a livery-servant who had come rushing forth from a house with the excited demand which first startled Ashborne from his reverie. He looked up—he knew that livery—he knew also the house from which the lacquey had sped. ‘‘ What is the matter?” he hastily inquired. ‘““Ah, Mr. Ashborne!” cried the domestic; ‘‘for heaven’s sake go for a doctor! or lend me the cab!” ‘‘Qne word?” interjected Stephen. has happened ?” “‘ Master’s dead, sir—and poor Miss—Oh, I beg pardon, Mrs. Ashborne——” “Go for the doctor!” exclaimed Stephen, springing out of the cab: and he rushed into the house. There was no necessity for him to put another syllable of inquiry in respect to the actual con- dition of Pamela: for as he sprang into the hall, he beheld her inanimate form being borne by two or three female-servants towards the stair- case. He folldwed: no one offered to prevent him; for it was of course well known throughout the entire household that he had in the morning become Pamela’s husband,—though why that strangely hurried marriage had occurred none could tell. Pamela was borne to her chamber: she was laid upon a sofa—and Stephen hastened to assist the handmaidens in administering restoratives. “Ts it true,” he now ventured to ask in a very low tone, “‘ that Mr. Ponsford is dead ?” “Yes, sir—it is only too true! Poor dear young missus went to the library—and then such acry as rang through the house——And if you go there, sir, you'll see him sitting in his chair— unless the other servants have moved him by this. time——” ‘“Hle had a disease of the heart,” observed another of the handmaidens; ‘‘and from what the doctor said, as he told his valet, it was to be expected that this would happen sooner or later.” What ‘Where is that doctor?” ejaculated Stephen | a COMO Colin