The Castle of Wolfenbach, page 109 by Eliza Parsons
<< Return to Title Details & Download110
fter their arrival in England they took possession of their house; and having been fortunate enough to obtain a respectable woman, who was perfectly conversant in the French language, as housekeeper, they agreed to spend the following week in the country, previous to their being publicly announced in town.
Nothing particular occured until their arrival at Bellvue, Mrs Courtney's little paradise: they were quite delighted with its situation, and charmed with its polite and friendly owner. The second morning after their residence here, the Countess entered the Marchioness's dressing-room, Matilda was with her; 'Mrs Courtney has just got two or three neighbours with her; my presence not being necessary, I have seized the opportunity, to make our respective communications: I am sensible you must be very curious, but I wish to hear my dear Miss Weimar's story taken up from the visit she promised me, and I suppose intended paying me.' Matilda very readily gave an account of every event at the castle. The Countess shuddered, and heaved a sigh to the fate of poor Margarite, but did not interrupt 'till she came to the letter received from Joseph, of the fire in the castle, Bertha's miserable fate and his escape. 'Good heavens!' cried she, 'of what atrocious wickedness is that man capable! Poor wretch, what a long account has he one day to make - God grant him repentance!' Matilda proceeded, and related every circumstance until their safe arrival in London. The Countess embraced the lovely girl, who had betrayed a sense of mortification in recounting the particulars of her birth. 'I thank, my beloved sister,' said she, 'for the attention she paid to my request, and I am persuaded your charming society has amply recompensed her for the favor she did me.' 'You judge right, my dear Victoria; I am indeed the obliged person: but come, pray begin your narration, and take it up from the time you married that brute whose name you bear - ' 'But which I do not assume here,' answered the Countess; 'I pass for a Madame Le Roche