Part 28 (1/2)

”Well, Mr Newland,” replied her ladys.h.i.+p, ”how you have obtained the knowledge I know not, but there was, I acknowledge, a trifling flirtation with Edward Warrender and me--but I was young, very young at that time.”

”I grant it; and do not, for a moment, imagine that I intend to blame your ladys.h.i.+p; but, as I before said, madam, I am much interested in the business.”

”What interest can you have with a little flirtation of mine, which took place before you were born, I cannot imagine, Mr Newland.”

”It is because it took place before I was born, that I feel so much interest.”

”I cannot understand you, Mr Newland, and I think we had better change the subject.”

”Excuse me, madam, but I must request to continue it a little longer.

Is Mr Warrender dead or not? Did he die in the West Indies?”

”You appear to be very curious on this subject, Mr Newland; I hardly can tell. Yes, now I recollect, he did die of the yellow fever, I think--but I have quite forgotten all about it--and I shall answer no more questions; if you were not a favourite of mine, Mr Newland, I should say that you were very impertinent.”

”Then, your ladys.h.i.+p, I will put but one more question, and that one I must put with your permission.”

”I should think, after what I have said, Mr Newland, that you might drop the subject.”

”I will, your ladys.h.i.+p, immediately; but pardon me the question--”

”Mr Newland--?”

”Do not be angry with me--”

”Well?” exclaimed her ladys.h.i.+p, who appeared alarmed.

”Nothing but the most important and imperative reasons could induce me to ask the question,” (her ladys.h.i.+p gasped for breath, and could not speak,)--I stammered, but at last I brought it out. ”What has become of--of--of the sweet pledge of your love, Lady Maelstrom?”

Her ladys.h.i.+p coloured up with rage, raised up her clenched hand, and then fell back in violent hysterics.

PART TWO, CHAPTER ELEVEN.

I REPAIR THE DAMAGE, AND MAKE THINGS WORSE--PLOT AND COUNTERPLOT--TIM GAINS A WATCH BY SETTING WATCH UPON HIS TONGUE.

I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water. Some vases with flowers were on the table; I took out the flowers, and threw the water in her face, but they had been in the water some time, and had discoloured it green.

Her ladys.h.i.+p's dress was a high silk gown, of a bright slate colour, and was immediately spoiled; but this was no time to stand upon trifles. I seized hold of a gla.s.s bottle, fancying, in my hurry, it was _eau de cologne_, or some essence, and poured a little into her mouth; unfortunately, it was a bottle of marking ink, which her ladys.h.i.+p, who was very economical, had on the table in disguise. I perceived my error, and had recourse to another vase of flowers, pouring a large quant.i.ty of the green water down her throat. Whether the unusual remedies had an effect, or not, I cannot tell, but her ladys.h.i.+p gradually revived, and, as she leant back on the sofa, sobbing every now and then, convulsively, I poured into her ear a thousand apologies, until I thought she was composed enough to listen to me.

”Your ladys.h.i.+p's maternal feelings,” said I.

”It's all a calumny! a base lie, sir!” shrieked she.

”Nay, nay, why be ashamed of a youthful pa.s.sion; why deny what was in itself creditable to your unsophisticated mind. Does not your heart, even now, yearn to embrace your son--will not you bless me, if I bring him to your feet--will not you bless your son, and receive him with delight?”

”It was a girl,” screamed her ladys.h.i.+p, forgetting herself, and again falling into hysterics.

”A girl!” replied I; ”then I have lost my time, and it is no use my remaining here.”

Mortified at the intelligence which overthrew my hopes and castle buildings, I seized my hat, descended the stairs, and quitted the house; in my hurry and confusion quite forgetting to call the servants to her ladys.h.i.+p's a.s.sistance. Fortunately I perceived the Misses Fairfax close to the iron railing of the garden. I crossed the road, wished them good-bye, and told them that I thought Lady Maelstrom looked very ill, and they had better go in to her. I then threw myself into the first hackney-coach, and drove home. I found Timothy had arrived before me, and I narrated all that had pa.s.sed.

”You will never be able to go there again,” observed Timothy, ”and depend upon it, she will be your enemy through life. I wish you had not said anything to her.”