“Colonel Hungerford is on his way to India by
this time,” said Georgiana Falconer, drily.
“May I ask,” said Count Altenberg, taking
advantage of the first pause in the conversation—“may
I ask if I understood rightly, that Mrs. Hungerford,
mother of Colonel Hungerford, lives in this neighbourhood,
and is coming into the country to-morrow?”
“Yes—just so,” said Lady Frances.
What concern can it be of his? thought Miss Georgiana
Falconer, fixing her eyes upon the Count with alarmed
curiosity.
“I knew Colonel Hungerford abroad,” continued
the Count, “and have a great regard for him.”
Lady Kew, Lady Trant, and Miss Georgiana Falconer,
exchanged looks.
“I am sorry that he is gone to India,”
said Mrs. Falconer, in a sentimental tone; “it
would have been so pleasant to you to have renewed
an acquaintance with him in England.”
Count Altenberg regretted the absence of his friend,
the colonel; but, turning to Lady Frances, he congratulated
himself upon having an opportunity of presenting his
letters of introduction, and paying his respects to
Mrs. Hungerford, of whom he had heard much from foreigners
who had visited England, and who had been charmed with
her, and with her daughter, Mrs. Mortimer—his
letters of introduction had been addressed to her
town residence, but she was not in London when he was
there.
“No, she was at Pembroke,” said Lady Kew.
I’m sure I wish she were there still, thought
Miss Georgiana.
“But, after all, Lady Frances, is the duchess
sure that Mrs. Hungerford is actually come to the
country?—May be, she is still in town.”
“I shall have the honour of letting your ladyship
know; for, if Lord Oldborough will permit, I shall
certainly go, very soon, to pay my respects at Hungerford
Castle,” said Count Altenberg.
The prescient jealousy of Miss Georgiana Falconer
boded ill of this visit to Hungerford Castle.
A few days afterwards a note was received from Count
Altenberg, returning many thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Falconer
for the civilities he had received from them, paying
all proper compliments to Zara, announcing his intention
of accepting an invitation to stay some time at Mrs.
Hungerford’s, and taking a polite leave of the
Falconer family.
Here was a death-blow to all Georgiana’s hopes!
But we shall not stay to describe her disappointment,
or the art of her mother in concealing it; nor shall
we accompany Mrs. Falconer to town, to see how her
designs upon the Clays or Petcalf prospered.
We must follow Count Altenberg to Hungerford Castle.
“Who would prize the tainted posies,
Which on ev’ry breast
are worn?
Who could pluck the spotless roses
From their never touched thorn?”
