Page:The Castle of Wolfenbach - Parsons - 1854.djvu/262

 serving she looked rather agitated, she asked, "What is become of the gentlemen this morning? have you seen the Marquis and his friends, my love?" "No, madam, (replied she) I suppose they are rambling in the grounds."

Just then the Marquis entered. "Ah! ladies, (said he) I am happy to see you together: I have undertaken to bring a cause before your tribunal to-day, against one of your coterie, and I expect an impartial judgment. What say you, ladies, dare you promise to be just and sincere?" "Your impertinent question is so affronting to us, (replied the Countess) that I think we ought to decline hearing your cause." "Conscience, conscience, my dear sister, (cried he, smiling) nevertheless, I will open my brief. A gentleman of rank, fortune, and unquestionable merit, (here Matilda trembled) has, for some time, entertained the warmest affection and respect for an amiable woman. When first he knew and admired her she was in a situation that precluded hope, he was therefore condemned to silence; that situation is changed; he has no obstacles to combat but the lady's over-strained delicacy: she owns a preferable esteem, but—she cannot approve of a second marriage." Here all eyes were glanced at the Countess, who was confused. Matilda began to respire. "Tell me, ladies, (resumed the Marquis, ingenuously) should so futile an objection preclude her from making a worthy man happy, gratifying her own partiality in his favour, and giving a dear and valuable additional relation to her friends? You see I put the case simply and plainly. Will you, madam, (addressing the Countess Berniti) have the goodness to speak first?" "I am not an advocate, Sir, (she answered) for second marriages; on the contrary, I think there are but very few cases that can justify them. If a woman is left with a family she is anxious to provide for, and has an eligible offer, that will enable her to do so, duty to them should make