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Updated: June 25, 2025
The dance being over, Lord Erpingham led Constance to a seat close by Lady Margaret Midgecombe. The duchess had formed her plan of attack; and, rising as she saw Constance within reach, approached her with an air that affected civility. "How do you do, Miss Vernon? I am happy to see you looking so well. What truth in the report, eh?" And the duchess showed her teeth videlicet, smiled.
The rude duchess beat at her own weapons, blushed with anger even through her rouge: but Constance turned away, and, still leaning on Lord Erpingham's arm, sought another seat; that seat, on the opposite side of the pillar behind which Godolphin sat, was still within his hearing. "Upon my word, Miss Vernon," said Erpingham, "I admire your spirit.
In this conservatory Constance was alone one morning, when Lord Dartington, who had entered the house with Lord Erpingham, joined her. He was not a man who could ever become sentimental; he was rather the gay lover rather the Don Gaolor than the Amadis; but he was a little abashed before Constance.
Such was the fate of S 's wife; such may be the fate of Godolphin's. Oh, Miss Vernon could not marry him!" "You are right, Lord Erpingham," said Constance with emphasis; "but you take too much licence in expressing your opinion." Before Lord Erpingham could stammer forth his apology they heard a slight noise behind: they turned; Godolphin had risen.
My father, who had long destined me for Lord Erpingham, insinuated that it was in me that Mr. Godolphin wished to find the resource I have last mentioned, and that in such resource was my only attraction in his eyes. I have some reason to believe he proposed to the Duke; but he was silent to me, from whom, girl as I was, he might have been less certain of refusal." "What did he at last?"
Lady Erpingham had one daughter, who married when Constance had reached the age of sixteen. The advantages Lady Eleanor Erpingham possessed in her masters and her governess Constance shared. Miss Vernon drew well, and sang divinely; but she made no very great proficiency in the science of music.
"Bring me that book; place that table nearer; and leave me." The Abigail obeyed the orders, and the young Countess of Erpingham was alone. Alone! what a word for a young and beautiful bride in the first months of her marriage! Alone! and in the heart of that mighty city in which rank and wealth and they were hers are the idols adored by millions. It was a room fancifully and splendidly decorated.
Lord Erpingham played with his neckcloth, and Lady Erpingham rose to leave the room. "D d fine girl!" said the earl, as he shut the door upon Constance; "but d d sharp!" added he, as he resettled himself on his chair. It was the evening of the ball to be given in honour of Lord Erpingham's arrival. Constance, dressed for conquest, sat alone in her dressing-room. Her woman had just left her.
If the man choose to act, the woman, with all her wiles, her intrigues, her arts, is powerless. If Godolphin were to enter Parliament a Tory, the great Whig rendezvous of Erpingham House was lost, and Constance herself a cipher and her father's wrongs forgotten, and the stern purpose of her masculine career baffled at the very moment of success.
Of such a wife Lord Erpingham could not complain: he esteemed her, praised her, asked her advice, and stood a little in awe of her. Ah, Constance! had you been the daughter of a noble or a peasant had you been the daughter of any man but John Vernon what a treasure beyond price, without parallel, would that heart, that beauty, that genius have been!
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