Page:The Castle of Wolfenbach - Parsons - 1854.djvu/90

 obliging, my dear Adelaide; she well deserves your solicitude, and I am sorry to say she is really very ill this morning." "Ill! (cried the Count, eagerly:) O, madam, has she any advice—has she a physician?" "Yes, (replied the Marchioness;) I hope there is no danger,—her spirits are hurried and she is a little feverish."

The Count walked about the room. His sister said, "Will you pardon me, madam, if I tell you the strange reports we have heard this morning?" "I shall thank you for the communication, (replied the other.) "This morning early Mademoiselle De Fontelle called on us, O heavens! (said she eagerly) no wonder Miss Weimar fainted last night; why she turns out to be an impostor, and a shocking creature? Who, Miss Weimar, (cried my brother) impossible, madam; go and circulate that envious tale some where else, there will be no credit given to it here. You are very ready, Sir, to insult your friends, and take the part of strangers; but I assure you, (added she, haughtily) I have no cause to envy Miss Weimar, and should be extremely unhappy to be thought like her. Seeing my brother smile contemptuously. Well, (said she) 'tis of little consequence to me if her uncle is come in search of her; if she run away from his house with a servant, and jointly robbed him of his property, and now has contrived to impose herself upon the Marchioness for a different person; perhaps she may elope with one of her servants next, the thing is nothing to me, only people ought to be careful how they introduce improper persons into a circle, though they are beauties and objects of envy—envy indeed! I shall never forget the pretty idea. She flung out of the room, leaving us almost petrified with astonishment. When my brother recovered, he said, What I say now, (cried the Count, interrupting her) that I will stake my life upon the honour and integrity of the young lady—that ingenuous countenance speaks a heart which never knew deception.