Page:The Castle of Wolfenbach - Parsons - 1854.djvu/183

 friend's, in the next street,—bon jour, ladies," (said she, with a forced gaiety, and ran out of the room, leaving them looking at each other with astonishment.

"Can this be Mrs. Courtney? (cried the Countess) my God, what a change!" "But is there, can there be any truth, (said the Marchioness) in the Count's attentions?" "Heaven knows, (said she) but if it is so, I shall never depend upon man again."

Some company coming in, prevented further conversation; but at dinner, when they all met, the ladies observed the Count appeared to be thoughtful and uneasy, Mrs. Courtney gay and lively, Lord Delby rather attentive to both; in short, it was the first dinner in which the party seemed collected within themselves, and forgot their friends, except Mrs. Courtney, who behaved with remarkable politeness and sweetness to all.

When the ladies retired to the drawing room the Count addressed the Marquis in the following manner. "I believe, my dear Sir, you are sufficiently acquainted with me, to know that I am equally incapable of a dishonourable thought or action to any one, much less towards a lady for whom I entertain the highest respect, and the sister of my hospitable entertainer." "For heaven's sake, (cried the Marquis) what is all this,—who dares accuse you?" "A misapprehension only, I hope, (said the Count, in a calm tone) not an accusation. Both you and all your friends are perfectly acquainted with my attachment to the amiable Matilda,—an attachment (added he, raising his voice) that will be as lasting as my life, for I never shall love any other woman; but unhappily the respect and attentions I have paid to the merits of Mrs. Courtney, have been misconceived: I have been upbraided with seeking to gain her affections, and with having given colour to suppose mine were also devoted to her: the highest respect, nay, even admiration of her many amiable qualities, I have undoubtedly expressed, but not one word beyond what friendship would warrant, from a man who made no scruple