THE DUKE AND THE COUSIN. CHAPTER I. "What a union of all the affections and powers By which life is exalted, embellish'd, refined, Was embraced in that spirit!" "BLANCHE, pray can you inform me what can possess the Duke to ask us to dinner in this extraordinary and abrupt manner?" exclaimed Lady Clairville, as her niece entered the drawing-room. "He told me that he had seen you in the Square; I must therefore beg for an explantion of all this. May I also be permitted to ask what are the terms which VOL. III. B. you and the Duke are upon? Really, the extraordinary intimacy which I have lately witnessed, authorizes me, as your guardian and natural protectress, to insist upon your informing me whether you intend to encourage the addresses of the Duke of Strathhaven ?” Blanche started and coloured. She saw at a glance that Lady Clairville was in a state of great excitement and displeasure; but fierce and haughty as was the nature of the aunt, there was a spirit within the breast of the young and delicate being who stood before her, which, when aroused, would not quail beneath injustice and unkindness. When she had recovered the first surprise which the speech and manner of her aunt had occasioned, the Baroness advanced towards her, and said in a calm dignified tone of voice, "I must ask your Ladyship to explain to me the meaning of what you have just said; it seems to me somewhat incomprehensible, and I may have mistaken it." |