Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 7, 2025
"I did not know he was still alive," said Lady Westborough, and then, turning her eyes towards Clarence and her daughter, she added carelessly, "Mr. Talbot is very rich, is he not?" "Rich as Croesus," replied Lord St. George, with a sigh. "And Mr. Linden is his heir, I suppose?" "In all probability," answered Lord St. George; "though I believe I can boast a distant relationship to Talbot.
Blending with these reflections a considerable share of curiosity and interest in a secret which partook so strongly of romance, Lady Westborough despatched her note to Clarence. The answer returned was brief, respectful, and not only acquiescent in but grateful for the proposal.
Suffer me then to call upon Lady Westborough, whom I knew many years ago, and explain your origin, as well as your relationship to me." Linden paused irresolutely. "Were I sure that Lady Flora was not utterly influenced by her mother's worldly views, I would gladly consent to your proposal, but "
Lady Westborough stood quite erect and still; and, drawing her stately figure to its full height, said with that quiet dignity by which a woman so often stills the angrier passions of men, "I lay the prayer and command of a mother upon you, Lord Ulswater, and on you, sir, whatever be your real rank and name, not to make mine and my daughter's presence the scene of a contest which dishonours both.
What wonder, then, that poor Lady Westborough, never too rigidly addicted to self-examination, and viewing all things through a very worldly medium, saw only, in the alternate art and urgency employed against her daughter's real happiness, the various praiseworthy motives of permanently disentangling Lady Flora from an unworthy attachment, of procuring for her an establishment proportioned to her rank, and a husband whose attachment, already shown by such singular perseverance, was so likely to afford her everything which, in Lady Westborough's eyes, constituted felicity?
While such was the state of affairs at Westborough Park, Clarence was again on horseback and on another excursion. By the noon of the day following that which had seen his eventful meeting with Lady Flora, he found himself approaching the extreme boundaries of the county in which Mordaunt Court and the memorable town of W were situated.
"I assure you, sir," said Lady Westborough, touched, in spite of herself, with the sincerity and respect of Clarence's bearing, "that Lady Flora will reply to any letter of explanation or proposal: for myself, I will not even see her answer. Where shall it be sent to you?" "I have taken my lodgings at the inn by your park gates. I shall remain there till till "
Whether there was something in that smile or in the pale cheek of her daughter that touched her we know not, but Lady Westborough was touched: she threw her arms round Lady Flora's neck, kissed her fondly, and said, "You do not seem well to-day, my love, are you?" "Oh! very very well," answered Lady Flora, returning her mother's caress, and hiding her eyes, to which the tears had started.
Another pause. Lady Westborough felt the awkwardness of her situation. Clarence made an effort to recover himself. "I do not see," said he, "the necessity of delaying the explanation I have to offer to your ladyship till my Lord Ulswater deems it suitable to appear. Allow me at once to enter upon a history, told in few words and easily proved."
"Ah," said he, elevating his eyebrows, "Lady Westborough told me she had had some people to dinner whom she had been obliged to ask. Bobus, is that the 'Public Advertiser'? See whether that d d fellow Junius has been writing any more of his venomous letters." Clarence was not a man apt to take offence, but he felt his bile rise.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking