the manners of the two there was a striking difference; although the
Donna was not vulgar, she was far from possessing the polish of her more
juvenile friend, and Mrs. Wilson considered her to be in a station
between that of a housekeeper and that of a companion. After hoping that
no unpleasant intelligence occasioned the distress they witnessed, the
ladies were delicately about to take their leave, when Mrs. Fitzgerald
entreated them to remain.
"Your kind attention to me, dear madam, and the goodness of Miss
Moseley, give you a claim to know more of the unfortunate being your
sympathy has so greatly assisted to attain her peace of mind. This
letter is from the gentleman of whom you have heard me speak, as once
visiting me, and though it has struck me with unusual force, it contains
no more than I expected to hear, perhaps no more than I deserve to
hear."
"I hope your friend has not been unnecessarily harsh: severity is not
the best way, always, of effecting repentance, and I feel certain that
you, my young friend, can have been guilty of no offence that does not
rather require gentle than stern reproof," said Mrs. Wilson.
"I thank you, dear madam, for your indulgent opinion of me, but although
I have suffered much, I am willing to confess it is a merited
punishment; you are, however, mistaken as to the source of my present
sorrow. Lord Pendennyss is the cause of grief, I believe, to no one,
much less to me."
"Lord Pendennyss!" exclaimed Emily, in surprise, unconsciously looking
at her aunt.
"Pendennyss!" reiterated Mrs. Wilson, with animation "and is he your
friend, too?" "Yes, madam; to his lordship I owe everything--honor--
comfort--religion--and even life itself."
Mrs. Wilson's cheek glowed with an unusual color, at this discovery of
another act of benevolence and virtue, in a young nobleman whose
character she had so long admired, and whose person she had in vain
wished to meet.
"You know the earl, then?" inquired Mrs. Fitzgerald.
"By reputation, only, my dear," said Mrs. Wilson; "but that is enough to
convince me a friend of his must be a worthy character, if anything were
wanting to make us your friends."
The conversation was continued for some time, and Mrs. Fitzgerald saying
she did not feel equal just then to the undertaking, but the next day,
if they would honor her with another call, she would make them
acquainted with the incidents of her life, and the reasons she had for
speaking in such terms of Lord Pendennyss. The promise to see her was
cheerfully made by Mrs. Wilson, and her confidence accepted; not from a
desire to gratify an idle curiosity, but a belief that it was necessary
to probe a wound to cure it; and a correct opinion, that she would be a
better adviser for a young and lovely woman, than even Pendennyss; for
the Donna Lorenza she could hardly consider in a capacity to offer
advice, much less dictation. They then took their leave, and Emily,
during their ride, broke the silence with exclaiming,--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account