I put the papers down on the table as soon as I had finished them, and
for a long while was absorbed in meditation.
"Is it possible," thought I, "that love disappointed can turn to such
fury--can so harden the heart to all better feelings--induce a woman to
shorten the days of her parent--to allow a sister to remain in painful
error on her death-bed, and wreak vengeance upon an innocent being,
regardless of all justice? Grant, then, that I may never yield to such
a passion! Who would have ever imagined, that the careless, eccentric
Lady R--had such a load of crime weighing her down, and daily and hourly
reminded of it by the presence of the injured party? How callous she
must have become by habit, to still delay doing an act of justice--how
strange that the fear of the world and its opinion should be greater
than the fear of God!"
This last remark proved how little I yet knew of the world, and then my
thoughts went in a different direction. As I have already said, I had
been brought up as a Catholic; but, after my grandmother's death, I had
little encouragement or example shown me in religious duties. Now,
having been more than two years in England, and continually with
Protestants, I had gone to the established Protestant church with those
I resided with at first; because I considered it better to go to that
church, although I knew it to be somewhat at variance with my own,
rather than go to no church at all, and by habit I was gradually
inclining to Protestantism; but now the idea came across my mind, if
Lady R--had confessed as we Catholics do, this secret could not have
been kept so long; and, if she withheld herself from the confessional,
had her agents been Catholics, the secret would have been divulged to
the priest by them, and justice would have been done to Lionel; and,
having made this reflection, I felt as it were, that I was again a
sincere Catholic.
After a little more reflection, I put away the papers, wrote a letter to
Mr Selwyn, the solicitor, requesting that he would call upon me the
following morning, and then went down to Lady M--.
"I suppose that we shall not have much of the pleasure of your company,
Miss de Chatenoeuf," said her ladyship, "now that you have such a novel
occupation?"
"It is a very distressing one," replied I, "and I wish Lady R--had not
paid me such a compliment. Might I trespass upon your ladyship's
kindness to request the loan of the carriage for half-an-hour to obtain
some papers from Lady R--'s house in Baker Street?"
"Oh, certainly," replied her ladyship. "Pray have you seen Lady R--'s
will?"
"Yes, madame."
"And how has she disposed of her property?"
"She has left it all to her nephew, Lady M--."
"Nephew! I never heard her speak of a nephew before. Sir Richard had
no nephews or nieces, for he was an only son, and the title has now gone
into the Vivian branch, and I never heard of her having a nephew. And
what has she left you, mademoiselle, if it is not asking too much?"
"Lady R--has left me 500 pounds, my lady."
"Indeed! well then, she pays you for your trouble. But really, Miss de
Chatenoeuf, I do wish you could put off this business until after the
marriages. I am so hurried and worried that I really do not know which
way to turn, and really I have felt your loss these last two days more
than you can imagine. You are so clever, and have so much taste, that
we cannot get on without you. It's all your own fault," continued her
ladyship, playfully, "you are so good-natured, and have made us so
dependent upon you, that we cannot let you off now. Nothing in the
_trousseaux_ is approved of, unless stamped by the taste of Mademoiselle
Valerie de Chatenoeuf. Now, a week cannot make a great difference, and
lawyers love delay: will you oblige me, therefore, by leaving Lady R--'s
affairs for the present?"
"Certainly, Lady M--," replied I. "I will stop a letter I was about to
send to her solicitor, and write another to the effect you wish, and I
will not repeat my request for the carriage until after the marriages
have taken place."
"Many thanks," replied her ladyship, and I went out, took my letter from
the hall table, and wrote another to Mr Selwyn, stating that I could
not enter into any business until the following week, when I should be
prepared to receive him.
I wrote another to the same effect to Lionel, requesting him not to call
again, but that I would write and let him know where to meet me as soon
as I was more at leisure.
Indeed I was glad that Lady M--had made the request, as the trouble and
chattering and happy faces which were surrounding the trousseaux, and
the constant employment and appeals made to me, drove away the
melancholy which Lady R--'s affairs had occasioned me. I succeeded to a
great degree in recovering my spirits, and exerted myself to my utmost,
so that everything was complete and satisfactory to all parties two days
before the wedding was to take place.
At last, the morning came. The brides were dressed and went down into
the drawing-room, frightened and perplexed, but their tears had been
shed above. The procession of carriages moved on to Hanover Square;
there was a bishop of course, and the church was filled with gay and
tastefully-dressed women. The ceremony was performed, and the brides
were led into the vestry-room to recover, and receive kisses and
congratulations. Then came the banquet, which nobody hardly tasted
except the bishop, who had joined too many couples in his lifetime to
have his appetite at all affected by the ceremony, and some two or three
others who were old stagers on the road of life, and who cared little
whether it was a wedding-breakfast, or refreshments after a funeral.
At last, after a most silent entertainment, the brides retired to change
their dresses, and, when they re-appeared, they were handed into the
carriages of their respective bridegrooms as soon as they could be torn
away from the kisses and tears of Lady M--, who played the part of a
bereaved mother to perfection. No one to have seen her then, raving
like another Niobe, would have imagined that all her thoughts and
endeavours and manoeuvres, for the last three years, had been devoted to
the sole view of getting them off; but Lady M--was a perfect actress,
and this last scene was well got up.
As her daughters were led down to the carriages, I thought that she was
going to faint; but it appeared, on second thoughts, that she wished
first to see the girls depart in their gay equipages; she therefore
tottered to the window, saw them get in, looked at Newman's greys and
gay postillions--at the white and silver favours--the dandy valet and
smart lady's-maid in each rumble. She saw them start at a rattling
pace, watched them till they turned the corner of the square, and then--
and not till then--fell senseless in my arms, and was carried by the
attendants into her own room.
After all, the poor woman must have been very much worn out, for she had
been for the last six weeks in a continual worry lest any _contre-temps_
should happen, which might have stopped or delayed the happy
consummation.
The next morning her ladyship did not leave her room, but sent word down
that the carriage was at my service; but I was fatigued and worn out,
and declined it for that day. I wrote to Lionel and to Mr Selwyn,
desiring them to meet me in Baker Street, at two o'clock the next day;
and then passed the day quietly, in company with Amy, the third daughter
of Lady M--, whom I have before mentioned. She was a very sweet,
unaffected girl; and I was more partial to her than to her sisters, who
had been just married. I had paid great attention to her, for she had a
fine voice, and did credit to my teaching, and there was a great
intimacy between us, arising on my part from my admiration of her
ingenuous and amiable disposition, which even her mother's example to
the contrary could not spoil.
After some conversation relative to her sisters and their husbands, she
said, "I hardly know what to do, Valerie. I love you too well to be a
party to your being ill-treated, and yet I fear that you will be pained
if I tell you what I have heard about you. I know also that you will
not stay, if I do tell you, and that will give me great pain; but _that_
is a selfish feeling which I could overcome. What I do not like is
hurting your feelings. Now, tell me candidly, ought I to tell you, or
not?"
"I will give you my opinion candidly," replied I. "You have said too
little or too much. You speak of my being ill-treated; certainly, I
should wish to guard against that, although I cannot imagine who is my
enemy."
"Had I not heard it, I could not have believed it either," replied she.
"I thought that you had come here on a visit as a friend; but what makes
me think that I ought to tell you is, that there will be something said
against your character, which I am sure, must be false."
"Now, indeed, I must request that you will tell me everything, and
soften nothing down, but tell me the whole truth. Who is it that
intends to attack my character?"
"I am sorry--very sorry to say, it is mamma," replied she, wiping away a
tear.
"Lady M--!" exclaimed I.
"Yes," replied she; "but now you must listen to all I have to say. I am
sure that I am doing right in telling you, and therefore nothing shall
prevent me. I love my mother--what a sad thing it is that I cannot
respect her! I was in the dressing-room, when my mother was lying on
the sofa in her bedroom this morning, when her great friend, Mrs
Germane, came up. She sat talking with my mother for some time, and
they appeared either to forget or not to care if I heard them; for at
last your name was mentioned.
"`Well, she does dress you and your girls beautifully, I must say,' said
Mrs Germane. `Who is she? They say that she is of a good family; and
how came she to live with you as a milliner?'
"`My dear Mrs Germane, that she does live with me as a milliner is
true, and it was for that reason only I invited her to the house; but
she is not aware that I retain her in that capacity. She is, I
understand from Mrs Bathurst, of a noble family in France, thrown upon
the world by circumstances, very talented, and very proud. Her extreme
taste in dress I discovered when she was living with Mrs Bathurst; and,
when I found that she was about, through my management, to leave Lady
R--, I invited her here as a sort of friend, and to stay with my
daughters--not a word did I mention about millinery; I had too much tact
for that. Even when her services were required, I made it appear as her
own offer, and expressed my thanks for her condescension, and since
that, by flattery and management, she has continued to dress my
daughters for me; and, I must say, that I do believe it has been owing
to her exquisite taste that my daughters have gone off so well.'
"`Well, you have managed admirably,' replied Mrs Germane; `but, my dear
Lady M--, what will you do with her now?'
"`Oh,' replied Lady M--, `as Amy will now come out, I shall retain her
in my employ until she is disposed of; and then--'
"`Yes, then will be the difficulty,' replied Mrs Germane; `after having
allowed her to live so long with you as a visitor, I may say, how will
you get rid of her?'
"`Why, I was puzzling myself about that, and partly decided that it
should be done by mortifying her, and wounding her feelings, for she is
very proud; but, fortunately, I have found out something which I shall
keep to myself, until the time comes, and then I can dismiss her at a
moment's warning.'
"`Indeed!' said Mrs Germane, `what could you have found out?'
"`Well, I will tell you; but you must not mention it again. My maid
entered the room the other day, when mademoiselle was receiving a young
man who called upon her, and she found them kissing.'
"`You don't say so!'
"`Yes, a kiss was given, and my maid saw it. Now, I can easily make it
appear that my maid never mentioned it to me till the time that it may
be convenient to make use of it, and then I can send her away; and if
any questions are asked, hint at a little impropriety of conduct.'
"`And very properly too,' replied Mrs Germane. `Had I not better hint
a little beforehand to prepare people?'
"`Why, it may be as well, perhaps; but be cautious, very cautious, my
dear Mrs Germane.'
"Mademoiselle de Chatenoeuf, I am sorry that I am obliged, in doing my
duty to you, to expose mamma," said Amy, rising up from her chair; "but
I am sure that you could not be guilty of any impropriety, and I will
not allow you to be accused of it, if it is to be prevented."
"Many thanks," replied I. "My dear Amy, you have behaved like a kind
friend. I have only, in duty to myself, to clear up the charge against
me, of impropriety. You must not imagine me guilty of that. It is true
that your mother's maid did come in when a young lad of seventeen, who
was grateful to me for the interest I took in his welfare, and who was
taking leave of me at the time, did raise my hand to his lips and kiss
it, and, had he done so before your mother, I should not have prevented
it. This was the kiss which, as your mother asserts, passed between us,
and this is the only impropriety that took place. Oh, what a sad,
treacherous, selfish, wicked world this is!" cried I, throwing myself on
the sofa, and bursting into tears.
Amy was making every attempt to console me, and blaming herself for
having made the communication, when Lady M--came downstairs into the
room.
"What is all this--what a scene!" exclaimed she. "Mademoiselle de
Chatenoeuf, have you had any bad news?"
"Yes, my lady," replied I, "so bad that I am under the necessity of
leaving you directly."
"Indeed! may I inquire what has happened?"
"No, my lady, it is not in my power to tell you. I have only to repeat,
that I must, with your permission, leave this house to-morrow morning."
"Well, mademoiselle," replied her ladyship, "I do not want to pry into
your secrets, but this I must say, that where there is concealment,
there must be wrong; but I have lately discovered so much, that I do not
wonder at concealment--nor am I, indeed, surprised at your wish to leave
me."
"Lady M--," replied I, haughtily, "I have never done anything during the
time that I have been under your roof which I have to blush for--nor
indeed anything that requires concealment. This I can proudly say. If
I conceal now, it is to spare others, and, I may add, to spare you. Do
not oblige me to say more in presence of your daughter. It will be
sufficient for me to hint to you, that I am now aware why I was invited
to your house, and what are your plans for dismissing me when it suits
you."
"Eaves-dropping, then, is a portion of your character, mademoiselle,"
cried Lady M--, colouring up to the temples.
"No, madam, such is not the case, and that is all the answer I shall
give; it is sufficient for you that you are exposed, and I do not envy
your present feelings. I have only to repeat, that I shall leave this
house to-morrow morning, and I will not further trouble your ladyship
with my company."
I then walked out of the room, and as I passed Lady M--, and observed
her confusion and vexation, I felt that it was she who was humiliated,
and not me. I went up to my room and commenced my preparations for
immediate departure, and had been more than an hour busy in packing up,
when Amy came into my room.
"Oh, Valerie, how sorry I am--but you have behaved just as I think that
you ought to have done; and how very kind of you not to say that I told
you. My mother was so angry after you left; said that the maids must
have been listening, and declares she will give them all warning; but I
know that she will not do that. She spoke about your meeting a young
man, and kissing going on; but you have already explained all that."
"Amy," replied I, "after I am gone, take an opportunity of saying to
Lady M--, that you mentioned this to me, and tell her that my reply was,
if Lady M--knew who that young man was, how he is connected, and how
large a fortune he will inherit, she would be very glad to see him kiss
one of her daughter's hands with a different feeling from that which
induced him to kiss mine."
"I will, depend upon it," said Amy, "and then mamma will think that she
has lost a good husband for me."
"She will meet him some of these days," replied I; "and what is more, he
will defend me from any attack made on that score."
"I will tell her that, also," said Amy, "it will make her careful of
what she says."
One of the servants then knocked at the door, and said, that Lady M--
wished to see Miss Amy.
"Wish me good-bye now," said I, "for you may not be permitted to see me
again."
The dear girl embraced me cordially, and, with tears in her eyes, left
the room. I remained till I had finished packing, and then sat down.
Shortly afterwards her ladyship's maid came in, and delivered me an
envelope from her ladyship, enclosing the salary due to me, with Lady
M--'s compliments written outside.
I saw no more of Lady M--or her daughter that evening. I went to bed,
and, as in my former changes, I reflected what steps I should take. As
for the treatment I had received, I was now to a certain degree hardened
to it, and my feelings certainly were not so acute as when, the first
time, I had received a lesson of what I might expect through life from
the heartlessness and selfishness of the world; but in the present case
there was a difficulty which did not exist in the former--I was going
away without knowing where I was to go. After a little thought, I
determined that I would seek Madame Gironac, and ascertain whether she
could not receive me until I had decided upon my future plans.
My thoughts then recurred to other points. I recollected that I had to
meet Mr Selwyn and Lionel in Baker Street, and I resolved that I would
go there with my effects early the next morning and leave them in charge
of the cook, who was taking care of the house. I calculated also the
money that I had in possession and in prospect. I had such a good stock
of clothes when I came to England with Madame Bathurst, that I had no
occasion, during the two years and more that I had now been in England,
to make any purchases of consequence--indeed, I had not expended more
than the twenty pounds I had brought with me. I had received some few
presents from Lady M--and Madame Bathurst, and a great many from Lady
R--. Altogether, I calculated that I had about two hundred and sixty
pounds in my desk, for Lady R--had given me one hundred pounds for only
a portion of the year; then there was the five hundred pounds which she
had left me, besides her wearing apparel and trinkets, which last I knew
to be of value. It was a little fortune to one in my position, and I
resolved to consult Mr Selwyn as to the best way of disposing of it.
Having wound up my meditations with the most agreeable portion of them,
I fell asleep, and in the morning woke up refreshed.
Lady M--'s maid, who had always been partial to me, for I had taught her
many things valuable to a lady's-maid, came in early, and said that she
knew that I was going away, which she regretted very much. I replied
that I should leave as soon as possible, but I wanted some breakfast.
This she brought up to my room.
I had not finished when Amy came in the room and said, "I have
permission to come and wish you good-bye, Valerie. I told mamma what
you said about the person who was seen to kiss your hand. She
acknowledges now that it was your hand that was kissed, and she was so
astonished, for she knows that you never tell stories; and, what do you
think, she desired me to find out what was the young gentleman's name
that had so large a fortune. I said I would if I could, and so I will,
by asking you outright, not by any other means. I don't want to know
his name," continued she, laughing, "but I'm sure mamma has in her mind
fixed upon him for a husband for me, and would now give the world that
you were not going away, that through you he might be introduced to
her."
"I cannot tell you, my dear," replied I. "I am not at liberty to
mention it at present, otherwise I would with pleasure. I am going now.
May God bless you, my dearest, and may you always continue to be the
same frank and amiable creature that you are now! I leave you with
regret, and I pray earnestly for your happiness. You have made me very
happy by telling me that your mamma acknowledges that it was my hand
that was kissed, after that, she will hardly attempt to injure me, as
she proposed."
"Oh no, Valerie, I think she is afraid to do so now. This young man of
fortune has made her think differently. He would, of course, protect
you from slander, and expose her, if she attempted it. Then, good-bye."
We embraced, and then I ordered a hackney-coach to be called, and drove
with my luggage to Baker Street. The cook welcomed me, saying that she
expected my coming, as Mr Selwyn had called to tell her of Lady R--'s
death, and that when she asked to whom she was to look for her wages, he
had told her that I was the person who was to settle all her ladyship's
affairs, as everything was left on my hands. She showed me a letter
from Martha, Lady R--'s maid, by which I found that they would probably
arrive in Baker Street that very day, with all her ladyship's effects.
"I suppose you will sleep here, miss?" said the cook, "I have aired your
bed, and your room is all ready."
I replied that I wished to do so for a night or two, at all events, as I
had a good deal to attend to, but that Mr Selwyn would call at one
o'clock, and that I would speak to him on the subject.
I had requested Lionel to call at twelve, an hour previous to Mr
Selwyn, that I might make him acquainted with the contents of Lady R--'s
papers addressed to me. He was punctual to the time, and I shook hands
with him, saying, "Lionel, I congratulate you, at now having proofs of
your being the nephew of Lady R--, and also at her having left you
considerable property. You will be surprised to hear that she has
appointed me her executrix."
"I am not at all surprised," replied Lionel; "I am sure she has done a
wise thing at last."
"That is more than I am," replied I, "but I appreciate the compliment.
But, Lionel, there is no time to be lost, as Mr Selwyn, the lawyer, is
coming here at one o'clock, and before he comes I wish you to read over
Lady R--'s confession, if I may so call it, which will explain the
motives of her conduct towards you. I am afraid that it will not
extenuate her conduct, but recollect that she has now made all the
reparation in her power, and that we must forgive as we hope to be
forgiven. Sit down and read these papers, while I unpack one or two of
my boxes upstairs."
"The last time that we were here, I corded them up for you, Miss
Valerie; I hope that you will allow me to assist you again."
"Thank you, but you will have no time to read what Lady R--has said, and
the cook and I can manage without you."
I then left the room and went upstairs. I was still busy in my room
when a knock at the street door announced the arrival of Mr Selwyn, and
I went down into the drawing-room to meet him. I asked Lionel, who was
walking up and down the room, whether he had finished the papers, and he
replied by a nod of the head. The poor lad appeared very miserable, but
Mr Selwyn entered, and I could not say more to him.
"I hope I have not kept you waiting, Mademoiselle de Chatenoeuf," said
he.
"No, indeed. I came here at ten o'clock, for I have left Lady M--, and
I may as well ask at once whether there is any objection to my taking a
bed in this house for a few nights?"
"Objection! Why, mademoiselle, you are sole executrix, and everything
is at present yours in fact, for the time. You have, therefore, a right
to take possession until he appears, and the will is proved."
"The hero is before you, Mr Selwyn. Allow me to introduce you to Mr
Lionel Dempster, the nephew of Lady R--"
Mr Selwyn bowed to Lionel, and congratulated him upon his accession to
the property.
Lionel returned the salute, and then said, "Mademoiselle de Chatenoeuf I
am convinced that in this case Mr Selwyn must have been made a party to
all that has occurred. The reading of these papers has rather disturbed
me, and it would be painful to me to hear everything repeated in my
presence. With your permission, I will walk out for an hour, and leave
you to explain everything to Mr Selwyn, for I am sure that I shall need
his advice. Here is the confession of old Roberts which I shall leave
for his perusal. Good-morning, then, for the present."
So saying, Lionel took up his hat and quitted the room.
"He is a very prepossessing young man," observed Mr Selwyn. "What a
fine eye he has!"
"Yes," replied I, "and now that he has so large a property, others will
find out that he is a prepossessing young man with fine eyes; but sit
down, Mr Selwyn, for you have to listen to a very strange narrative."
When he had finished it, he laid it down on the table, saying, "This is
perhaps the strangest history that has ever come to my knowledge during
thirty years of practice. And so she brought him up as a footman. I
now recognise him again as the lad who has so often opened the door for
me, but I confess I never should have done so if I had not heard what
you have now communicated."
"He was always much above his position," replied I. "He is very clever
and very amusing; at least I found him so when he served me in his
menial capacity, and certainly was much more intimate with him than I
ever thought I could be with a servant. At all events, his education
has not been neglected."
"Strange! very strange!" observed Mr Selwyn, "this is a curious world;
but I fear that his history cannot be kept altogether a secret, for you
must recollect, mademoiselle, that his father's property must be
claimed, and no doubt it will be disputed. I must go to Doctor's
Commons and search out the will at once of Colonel Dempster; he intends,
as I presume he does by what he said just now, to employ me. After all,
it will, if known, be but a nine days' wonder, and do him no harm, for
he proves his birth by his appearance, and his breeding is so innate as
to have conquered all his disadvantages."
"When I knew him as a servant, I thought him an intelligent and witty
lad, but I never could have believed that he would have become so
improved in such a short time: not only his manners, but his language is
so different."
"It was _in_ him," replied Mr Selwyn; "as a domestic the manners and
language of a gentleman would have been out of place, and he did not
attempt them; now that he knows his position, he has called them forth.
We must find out this Mrs Green, and have her testimony as soon as
possible. Of course, after the deposition of old Roberts, Sir Thomas
Moystyn will not be surprised when I communicate to him the confession
of Lady R--, and the disposition of her property. In fact, the only
difficulty will be in the recovery of the property of his father,
Colonel Dempster, and--"
A knock at the street door announced the return of Lionel. When he
entered the room, Mr Selwyn said, "Mr Dempster, that you are the
nephew of Lady R--, to whom she has bequeathed her property, and what
was your own, is sufficiently established in my opinion. I will,
therefore, with your permission, read her ladyship's will."
Lionel took a seat, and the will was read. When it was finished, Mr
Selwyn said, "Having been Lady R--'s legal adviser for many years I am
able to tell you, within a trifle, what property you will receive.
There are 57000 three per cents; this house and furniture, which I
purchased the lease of for her, and which is only saddled with a
ground-rent for the next forty years; and I find, a balance of 1200
pounds at the banker's. Your father's property, Mr Dempster, of
course, I know nothing about, but will ascertain this to-morrow by going
to Doctors' Commons. I think I may venture to assure the executrix,
that she will run no risk in allowing you to take any sum of money you
may require from the balance in the bank, as soon as the will is proved,
which had better be done to-morrow, if it suits Mademoiselle de
Chatenoeuf."
"Certainly," replied I; "I am anxious to get rid of my trust as soon as
possible, and give Mr Dempster possession. There is a tin box of
papers, Mr Selwyn, which I cannot get at till the return of Lady R--'s
maid, as the keys are with Lady R--'s effects which she is bringing home
with her."
"Yes, they will no doubt be important," replied Mr Selwyn: "and now,
Mr Dempster, if you are in want of any ready cash, I shall be your
banker with pleasure till you can have possession of your own."
"I thank you, sir, I am not in want of any," replied Lionel, "for the
present; but, as soon as I may be permitted to have money from the bank
I shall be glad, as it is not my intention to remain in England."
"Indeed!" exclaimed I.
"No, Mademoiselle Valerie," said Lionel. "I am but too well aware of
many deficiencies which must arise from the position I have been so long
in, not to wish to remedy them as soon as possible, and, before I appear
as the heir of Lady R--, it is my intention, as soon as I can, to go to
Paris, and remain there for two years, or, perhaps, until I am of age;
and I think in that time to improve myself, and make myself more what
the son of Colonel Dempster should be. I am young yet, and capable of
instruction."
"You propose a very proper step, Mr Dempster," said Mr Selwyn; "and
during your absence all legal proceedings will be over, and, if the
whole affair is made public, it will be forgotten again by the time that
you propose to return. I am sure that the executrix will be most happy
to forward such very judicious arrangements. I will now take my leave,
and beg Mademoiselle de Chatenoeuf to meet me at Doctors' Commons at
three o'clock to-morrow; that will give me time to look for Colonel
Dempster's will. Good-morning, mademoiselle; good-morning, Mr
Dempster."
Mr Selwyn went out, and left us alone.
"May I ask, Miss Valerie, whether you have left Lady M--?"
"Yes," replied I; and I told him what had passed, adding, "I stay here
for a night or two, and shall go then to Madame Gironac's."
"Why not stay here altogether? I hope you will. I shall go abroad as
soon as possible."
"Yes, and you are right in so doing; but, Lionel, you forget that my
duty as executrix will be to make the best of the estate for you until
you are of age, and this house must be let furnished; Mr Selwyn told me
so, while you were away; besides, I am not a young lady of fortune, but
one most unfortunately dependent upon the caprices of others, and I must
submit to my fate."
Lionel made no reply for some little while, and then he said, "I am very
glad that Lady R--has showed the high opinion she had of you, but I
cannot forgive her treatment of my mother. It was too cruel; but I had
better not talk any more about it; and I am sure, Miss Valerie, you must
be anxious to be alone. Good afternoon, Miss Valerie."
"Good-bye, Lionel, for the present," replied I. "By-the-bye, did the
cook recognise you?"
"Yes; and I told her that I had given up going out to service."
"I think that you had better not come here, Lionel, till I have
dismissed Lady R--'s maid, which I shall do the day after her arrival.
I will meet you at Mr Selywn's office--it will be better."
To this Lionel agreed, and we parted.
The next day the will was proved, and Mr Selwyn then informed us that
he had found the will of the late Colonel Dempster, which had left his
property to his child unborn, as might be supposed, with a jointure on
the estate, which was entailed. The will, in consequence of the
supposed non-existence of Lionel, had been proved by the next of kin, a
gentleman of large property, and of whom report spoke highly. It was
the intention of Mr Selwyn to communicate with him directly. The
probate-duty, etcetera, had required a large portion of the 1200 pounds
left in the bank, but there was still enough to meet all Lionel's wants
for a year, if he wished to go abroad immediately, and another dividend
would be due in a month, so that there could be no difficulty. Mr
Selwyn explained all this as we drove to his chambers, where I signed
some papers at his request, and Lionel received a check on the bank, and
I sent, by Mr Selwyn, instructions to meet his drafts for the future.
This affair being arranged, Lionel stated his intention of quitting
immediately for Paris. He said that he would go for his passport that
afternoon, as there was time enough left for him to give in his name at
the office; and that he would call to-morrow afternoon to bid me
farewell. He then took his leave, and left me with Mr Selwyn, with
whom I had a long conversation, during which I stated to him that I had
some money of my own, as well as what had been left me by Lady R--,
which I wished to put in safety. He recommended that I should lodge
what I then had at a banker's, and, as soon as I had received the rest,
he would look out for a good mortgage for me. He then handed me into a
coach, and bade me farewell, stating that he would call on the day after
the morrow, at three o'clock, as by that time Lady R--'s maid must have
arrived, and I should have obtained possession of the key of the tin
box, the papers in which he was anxious to examine.
On my return to Baker Street, I found that Lady R--'s maid had arrived,
and I, of course, immediately took possession of everything. I then
paid her her wages, and dismissed her, giving her permission to remain
and sleep in the house, and promising her a character. It appeared very
summary to dismiss her so soon, but I was anxious she should not see
Lionel, and I told her that, as executrix, I was not warranted in
keeping her a day longer than was necessary, as I was answerable for all
expenses. Having now the keys, I was able to examine everything. I
first found the tin box, with various papers in it; among others a
packet, on which was written, "Papers relative to my sister Ellen and
her child." I thought I would not open them till Mr Selwyn was
present, as it might appear as if I was curious, so I laid them aside.
I then despatched the cook with a note to Madame Gironac, requesting
that she would come and spend the evening with me, as I had much to
communicate to her. Indeed, I felt dull alone in such a large house,
and I also felt the want of a sincere friend to talk with.
Having nothing better to do, I opened the various drawers and cupboards
which contained the apparel, etcetera, of Lady R--, and found such a
mass of things that I was astonished. In her whimsical way, she had at
times purchased silks and various jewels, which she had never made use
of, but thrown on one side. There were more stuffs for making up
dresses than dresses made up,--I should say nearly double. I found one
large bundle of point-lace, some of it of great beauty, which I presume
had belonged to her mother; and of other laces there was a great
quantity. The jewels which she had taken abroad with her were very few,
and such as she wore in common; her diamonds, and all that was of value,
I knew she had sent to her banker's a day or two previous to her
departure, and I thought I would wait till I had seen Mr Selwyn again
before I claimed them.
Madame Gironac came as requested, and I then communicated to her all
that had taken place. She was delighted at my good fortune, and said
she hoped that I would now come and live with them, as I had the means
of living, without being subject to the caprices of others, but I could
give no answer till I knew what my property might amount to. All I
could promise was, to go to her as soon as I had finished my business in
Baker Street, and then I would afterwards decide what steps it would be
advisable for me to take.
After a long conversation, during which Madame Gironac was as lively as
ever, we separated, Madame Gironac promising to come and pass the next
day with me, and assist me in looking over Lady R--'s wardrobe. During
the afternoon, I had selected a good many of Lady R--'s dresses, and
some which did not please my taste, or had been much worn, I gave to her
maid, on the following morning, before her departure. This pleased her
very much, as she knew that her mistress's wardrobe had been bequeathed
to me, and did not expect to obtain any portion of it; but the drawers
and closets were so loaded, that I could well afford to be generous.
Madame Gironac came to breakfast the next morning, accompanied by her
husband, who was delighted to see me, and having as usual quarrelled,
after their fashion, he bounced out of the room, declaring that he never
would see that odious little woman any more.
"Oh, Monsieur Gironac, you forget you promised to come and dine here."
"Well, well, so I did; but, Mademoiselle Valerie, that promise has
prevented a separation."
"It is very unlucky that you asked him, Mademoiselle Valerie," replied
his wife, "all my hopes are destroyed. Good-bye, Monsieur Gironac, and
be grateful that you have been prevented from committing a folly; now
go, we are to be very busy, and don't want you."
"I will go, madame; and hear me," said Monsieur Gironac, with mock
solemnity; "as I live, I will not return--till dinner-time."
He then bounced out of the room. We then proceeded to sort and arrange.
Madame Gironac, who was a good judge, stated the laces to be worth at
least 200 pounds, and the other articles, such as silks, etcetera, with
the dresses and lace, at about 100 pounds more. The laces and silks not
made up she proposed selling for me, which she said that she could to
various customers, and the dresses and lace she said could be disposed
of to a person she knew, who gained her livelihood by re-making up such
things.
We were thus employed, when Lionel called. He had obtained his
passport, and had come to wish me good-bye. When he rose to say
farewell, he said, "Miss Valerie, I can hardly say what my feelings are
towards you. Your kindness to me when I was a supposed footman, and the
interest you always took in anything concerning me, have deeply
impressed me with gratitude, but I feel more. You are much too young
for my mother, but I feel the reverence of a son, and if I did dare to
use the expression, I feel towards you, what I think are the feelings
that a brother should have towards a sister."
"I am flattered by your saying so, Lionel," replied I. "You are now in
a much higher position, or rather soon will be, than I shall ever obtain
in this world, and that you have such feelings towards me for any little
kindness I have shown to you, is highly creditable to your heart. Have
you any letters of introduction to anyone in Paris? but now I think of
it, you cannot well have."
"No," replied he; "I may have by and bye, but how could I possibly
obtain one at present?"
A thought struck me.
"Well, Lionel, you do not know my history; but I was once very intimate
with a lady at Paris, and, although we parted bad friends, she has since
written kindly to me, and I believe her to have been sincere in so
doing. I will give you a letter of introduction to her, but do not
blame me if I have been deceived in her a second time."