“Well, Mr Newland,” replied her ladyship,
“how you have obtained the knowledge I know
not, but there was, I acknowledge, a trifling flirtation
with Edward Warrender and me—but I was young,
very young at that time.”
“I grant it, and do not, for a moment, imagine
that I intend to blame your ladyship; but, as I before
said, madam, I am much interested in the business.”
“What interest you can have with a little flirtation
of mine, which took place before you were born, I
cannot imagine, Mr Newland.”
“It is because it took place before I was born,
that I feel so much interest.”
“I cannnot understand you, Mr Newland, and I
think we had better change the subject.”
“Excuse me, madam, but I must request to continue
it a little longer. Is Mr Warrender dead, or
not? Did he die in the West Indies?”
“You appear to be very curious on this subject,
Mr Newland; I hardly can tell. Yes, now I recollect,
he did die of the yellow fever, I think—but
I have quite forgotten all about it—and
I shall answer no more questions; if you were not
a favourite of mine, Mr Newland, I should say that
you were very impertinent.”
“Then, your ladyship, I will put but one more
question, and that one I must put, with your permission.”
“I should think, after what I have said, Mr
Newland, that you might drop the subject.”
“I will, your ladyship, immediately; but, pardon
me, the question—”
“Well, Mr Newland—?”
“Do not be angry with me—”
“Well?” exclaimed her ladyship, who appeared
alarmed.
“Nothing but the most important and imperative
reasons could induce me to ask the question”
(her ladyship gasped for breath, and could not speak),
I stammered, but at last I brought it out. “What
has become of—of—of the sweet
pledge of your love, Lady Maelstrom?”
Her ladyship coloured up with rage, raised up her
clenched hand, and then fell back in violent hysterics.
I repair the damage,
and make things worse—Plot and
counterplot—Tim
gains a watch by setting watch upon his tongue.
I hardly knew how to act—if I called the
servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was
resolved to find out the truth—for the same
reason, I did not like to ring for water. Some
vases with flowers were on the table; I took out the
flowers, and threw the water in her face, but they
had been in the water some time, and had discoloured
it green. Her ladyship’s dress was a high
silk gown, of a bright slate colour, and was immediately
spoiled; but this was no time to stand upon trifles.
I seized hold of a glass bottle, fancying, in my hurry,
it was eau de cologne, or some essence, and
poured a little into her mouth; unfortunately, it
was a bottle of marking ink, which her ladyship, who
was very economical, had on the table in disguise.
I perceived my error, and had recourse to another
vase of flowers, pouring a large quantity of the green
water down her throat. Whether the unusual remedies
had an effect or not, I cannot tell, but her ladyship
gradually revived, and, as she leant back on the sofa,
sobbing, every now and then, convulsively, I poured
into her ear a thousand apologies, until I thought
she was composed enough to listen to me.
