Page:The Castle of Wolfenbach - Parsons - 1854.djvu/175

 my happiness dear to her! but why should I doubt it? she is truth and goodness itself; my esteem, my love, must ever be hers, for no other woman shall ever possess that heart she condescended to prize, and never will I marry, if Matilda cannot be my wife." "Lord bless me! (exclaimed Mrs. Courtney) let's have no more dismals; I declare these last five days have vapoured me to death: I hope our journey to Scarborough will teem with more pleasant incidents than your's to Dover seems to have produced." "I am sure so (answered the Count;) the world does not abound with characters like Matilda's to lament."

No more was said; supper was announced, and more general conversation introduced during the remainder of the evening, though every one appeared absent and uneasy.

After the company had left them the Marchioness took notice of Mrs. Courtney's behaviour. "Surely she has taken some pique against Matilda," (said she.) "Yes, (replied the Marquis) the pique natural to a jealous woman." "Jealous! (repeated the Marchioness) why, surely you do not think she is fond of the Count?" "Indeed, but I do (replied he;) nay, I am certain of it, from many observations I lately made on her conduct." "Bless me! (returned she) why Mrs. Courtney is seven or eight and thirty, the Count only two and twenty." "That's true, (said he, smiling) but my love ladies have various ways of concealing their age, and the depredations of time; besides, vanity never forsakes them; and to do Mrs. Courtney justice, she is an agreeable woman." "Yes, and a sensible woman, (returned she;) I never can suppose her guilty of such a weakness: I rather think her prejudiced against Matilda, by some falsehoods or other." "Very well, (replied the Marquis) be it so: I am always more gratified by your favorable opinion of your own sex, than a readiness to condemn them; the one shows a generous mind, free from guile