The Castle of Wolfenbach, page 79 by Eliza Parsons
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racters, or subject yourself to the mortification of being disappointed in your views, and of having the calumny retorted on yourself.' 'What views do you mean, madam, - what is it to me whether Miss Weimar is the runway niece of Mr Weimar, or not?' 'Your views,' answered the Marchioness, 'are pretty evident; but permit me to observe the Count De Bouville's esteem will never be obtained at the expence of veracity and generosity, and it would have been more becoming a young lady of liberal sentiments, in at least a doubtful case, to have suspended her judgement and have inclined to the good-natured side of the question; but I am now to inform you the whole tale you have, with so much avidity, related, is false; that Miss Weimar is as irreproachable as she is beautiful, and in a short time the Marquis will severely punish and expose those who dare assert any thing to the prejudice of that young lady you will do well, Mademoiselle, to profit by the information.' Saying this, she arose, with a look of contempt, and returned to her carriage.
When she met the Marquis at dinner she repeated what she had heard, and her behaviour in consequence. The Marquis applauded her proceedings.
'When I left you this morning,' said he, 'crossing the street St Honore, I met Monsieur Du Versac, with another gentleman. "This is the Marquis De Melfort," said he, and immediately added, "permit me to introduce to your Lordship, Mr Weimar; we were going to your hotel." "Has Mr Weimar any business, Sir, with me." "I have, Sir," he replied, in a very calm tone of voice; "I had the pleasure to wait on the Marchioness, but there was a misunderstanding took place." "Suppose we step home to my house," said Du Versac. We agreed so to do. When seated, "Now, Sir," addressing Mr Weimar, "I am prepared to hear whatever you please to say." He then began a long story of taking Matilda from her infancy, after the death of her father and mother; the tenderness he had treated her with, the education he had given her, his design of giving her