Page:The Castle of Wolfenbach - Parsons - 1854.djvu/123

 "I know (said the Countess) you must all be very anxious to understand by what means I obtained my present happy situation, and I am equally curious to know how my dear Miss Weimar conducted herself from the time we last met; but we will suspend curiosity for the present, nor cloud our happy meeting with a recital of painful events." "You are right, my dear Countess, (said Mrs. Courtney;) we are now all happily met, and 'tis of little consequence by what means it came about at present."

They passed a most delightful evening, and parted with reluctance, after engaging to spend the following day in Harley-street, and Mrs. Courtney promising to search the neighbourhood for a house to accommodate them.

"What a charming woman is Mrs. Courtney," (said the Marchioness.) "Ah! (cried Matilda) I wish I understood English I should like to speak to that lady in her own language." "You shall learn it, my love, when we are settled; but as the lady speaks French remarkably well, you have no cause for regret."

They retired to rest, and the following morning had some trade's people with them, who are always on the watch to attend foreigners at the hotels. They purchased a few trifles, but chose to have Mrs. Courtney's judgment before they bought any thing of consequense.

The Marquis, who had letters of credit on the house of Sir Thomas Herries, attended by the master of the hotel, went out to get cash, whilst the ladies attended to the business of the toilet, as they had engaged to be with their friends at a very early hour.

Soon after his return they drove to Harley-street, and were received with that affectionate cordiality, a thousand times more desirable than distant civility and respect: they met like old friends, with congenial minds, to enjoy the pleasures of society. Mrs. Courtney told them, she hoped she had already succeeded