The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 83: what you’re looking at

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

THE YOUNG DUCHESS: customs which ought to be preserved in families as religiously as if they were heirlooms The Squire’s sententious speech was interrupted by the entrance of a livery-servant, who said, “ If you please, sir, here is a person coine to apply for the situation of bailiff.” “Why, this is rather an unreasonable hour— nine o’clock in the evening,” observed Mr. Pons- ford, drawing himself up and looking severely as he glanced at the time-piece on the mantel. *‘ He says, sir, that he only got down to the village just now ; and thinking that there might be a great’ many applicants for the situation, he hoped you would look over his testimonials, sir ? “Well, let him step in here,” said the Squire ; “for after all,” he added, as the domestic with- drew, “it is a cautious business-like proceeding on this applicant’s part, and speaks well for his character.” Pamela took up her embroidery, and only just slightly glanced at the door as it opened to give admittance to the applicant for the vacant situa- tion. : ‘Where do you come from ?” inquired Mr. Ponsford. ‘‘T come from Hampshire, sir,” answered the applicant in a voice so pleasing that Pamela could not help noticing it; and she now glanced again towards the individual. She observed that he was a young man, a little above the middle stature, very neatly dressed ; and though it was a matter on which she ordinarily felt perfectly indifferent, yet she could not help hoping that so respectable-looking a person might obtain the coveted post. ' “Why, you are young,” said the Squire, ‘to seek for such a situation. How old are you ?” “‘T am twenty-five, sir,” was the response, “al- though perhaps I may not seem to he quite so old.” “ And your testimonials ?” “They are here, sir:”—with which words the applicant advanced towards the table, on which he laid a small packet of papers, at the same time making a respectful bow. | ‘¢ Your name, I perceive, is Stephen Ashborne,” said Mr. Ponsford; ‘‘and you have already filled the situation of bailiff to Sir Norton Bridgeman ?” ‘Yes, sir. I think you will find Sir Norton’s testimonial satisfactory.” ‘ Yes—I don’t know but that it is very satisfac- tory. I see that Sir Norton says you have merely left his service because he has’no further use for you. What does that mean?” ‘It means, sir,” replied Stephen Ashborne, “that Sir Norton is going abroad immediately in consequence of the encumbered State of his affairs.” Ah! I heard something of the sort the other day,” said Squire. Ponsford, “‘when I was at Southampton. It was quite by accident I think my information was derived from hearing two gentlemen speaking on the subject in the coffee-room of the hotel—and they said Sir Norton was going all to pieces.” “{ am afraid, sir,” replied Ashborne, “ that the poor gentleman will never get over his difficulties. He was an excellent master—and I am pro- | foundly sorry for him. You will see, sir, from those testimonials, that I have served him well OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. 69 and faithfully. I saw your advertisement in a Dorsetshire paper, and I lost no time in coming to present my testimonials for your inspection.” There was something frank, almost amounting to independence in Stephen Ashborne’s manner; and yet it was courteous and respectful. But there was nothing servile nor cringing init. It was as much as to say, “ There are my testimo- nials—take me if you like: but if not, I know that with such certificates as those I shall not be long in obtaining such a situation as I require.” But it was precisely because Stephen Ash- borne seemed thus frankly confident and inge- nuously self-reliant, amounting as we have said almost to a spirit of independence, that Squire Ponsford thought it necessary to assume a high ground. He therefore said, ‘“‘ Well, my good man, I will think over the matter. You can call to- morrow at noon, and I will give you my answer.” ““T beg your pardon, sir,” responded Ashborne; “but Ihave copied half-a-dozen advertisements from gentlemen requiring bailiffs in this and the neighbouring counties: and if I have not the honour to please one off-hand, I may succeed in giving satisfaction to another. I cannot afford to let the grass grow under my feet.” “But I cannot give’ you an answer all in a moment,” said the Squire somewhat angrily. “T thank you for your courtesy, sir, in receiving me at this hour,” said Stephen, with the most perfect good-tempered frankness and with unabat- ing respectfulness: and gathering up his papers he was about to retire, with a polite ‘‘ Good even- ing, sir. Good evening, Miss.” “Stop!” said Mr. Ponsford, who was deter- mined not to let slip through his hands an in- dividual who was so excellently recommended. “T like this anxiety on your part to obtain a new situation without delay. Perhaps you are mar- ried ?” “‘No, sir—I am single: but I do not want to remain idle on that account: the truth is, I am almost certain of obtaining the bailiff’s place at Hazledon Park: but I thought that if I should be fortunate enough to please you, sir, I would rather stop short at the Firs than goon any far- ther.” “Then you are at once prepared to enter on your duties, provided I agree to take you?” ‘‘At once, sir. My trunk is at the inn, and I await your commands.” Pamela felt pleased that an individual who seemed to be of so frank, honest, and straight- forward a character, stood a chance of obtaining the vacant situation; and she again raised her eyes for a moment from her work to glance to- wards him. He was not tall—but there was something in the manly symmetry of the figure, the full development of the chest and shoulders, and the well-knit limbs, which appeared to give height to his stature; while there was a veritable gentility if not actual gracefulness in the careless ease of the attitude in which he stood near the door, awaiting the Squire’s decision. His counte- nance was handsome—of a bold striking mascu- line beauty—open and honest in its expression. The hair, of rather a light brown, curled around the fine contour of the head and waved in a luxu- riant mass above a high noble brow: the large blue eyes were clear, and seemed as if they were enabled by the conscience of their owner to look pe RO oO Connicloooks Colin