The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 71: what you’re looking at

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

52 REYNOLDS’ WORKS ing at Liverpool I received an official despatch, announcing that I was appointed first attaché to the embassy at St. Petersburg, and the positive orders were that I was to proceed thither without a moment’s delay. I did so.”’ ‘“‘ Well, well,’’ said the duke, “‘ there is nothing like zeal and obedience in the performance of your duties. The Foreign Office is much pleased with you; and I shall ask that you be appointed envoy to one of the minor courts. It is a proud thing for you, Bertram, to reflect that when only a few months past your twenty-third year you will be an ambas- sador. Or, if you like to go to Parliament, I can put you in for one of my pocket-boroughs at the next general election.”’ ‘My lord, I would much rather leave England again as soon as possible.”’ ‘“‘ Well, we shall have plenty of time to talk it over, for I mean you to stay a few weeks with us, now that you are here. Your brother, Lord Clandon, is expected in a few days, and we have a select party at Oaklands.”’ ‘‘T should now wish to retire to my chamber,” said Ber- tram. ‘ The roads are dusty — ”’ “To be sure!’ cried the duke; and ringing the bell, he ordered the domestic who answered the summons to show the Honourable Mr. Vivian to his apartment. ‘“‘ And it is time,”’ said Eliza, after a pause, during which Bertram with a slight bow had quitted the room, “‘ it is time that I should dress for dinner.”’ In a few minutes the duchess was alone in her boudoir. This meeting with the loved one — the one who was still so dear to her — had been almost more than her fortitude could bear up against. Throughout the ordeal she herself was astounded at her own courage in supporting it; but now that she was alone in her boudoir, her feelings could no longer be restrained. She threw herself upon her knees, her anguish burst forth, the tears gushed in fountains from her eyes, her bosom was convulsed with sobs. ‘‘ Oh, father, father! ’’ the voice of insufferable agony went up from her heart, as she thus apostrophized her dead parent, ‘‘ you knew not the misery you were entailing upon me at the time. But if from the mansions of the other world it be given to the spirits of the departed to look down at what is passing in this, you can now understand it all. May God forgive you, father — even as I have forgiven you.” Gomicbooks (E(0)