"I left by the other door into the passage—my lord had gone for his keys. I peeped through the crack and saw him lock the drawer, then he left the house. Fenton says he returned about four this morning."
The Countess held out her hand.
"Give me the letter—who is it from?—why did you not tell me before of this?"
"You were home so late, my lady, and slept so late," she took a package from the fichu of her gown; "here is the letter, and it is from Selina Boyle."
The Countess snatched it and stared eagerly at the fair Italian hand.
"Read it," said Honoria Pryse; "it was worth the pains."
Her mistress glanced down the epistle rapidly, then read it aloud as if she feared to lose even the sound of those words written in a sad sweet agony by a very different lady in a very different chamber.
"Golden Square,
June 25, 1749."My Lord,—I have your letter—you mind me that you have Only written to me once before, and that then I did Not Answer. I would I might refrain now from a Reply. In a Manner you have Broken the Bond of the sweet Reserve there was between us and unlocked a Heart of which you Only have the key. I am more Unhappy than this Time a year Ago ... the thought of your Discomfort and Passion Stirs in me a tumultuous discontent that I cannot easily overcome and of which it would be Weak to Write. As for what You ask of Me—be Assured that I shall never Marry—my Cousin Francis overvalues my poor Affections and seeks continuously to Persuade me—my Father also desires to see me Settled—but Nothing will Alter my Resolution. I would Rather have rested in Bristol, but in this matter had to follow my Father's wish.
"Let me know that You are content with me—but no more—I Fear it is Folly to exchange Regrets and Dangerous to dwell on a Forbidden Fondness, therefore be not Surprised if you Hear no more from
"Selina Boyle.
"Postscriptum.—I saw the Countess at a Masquerade Last Week and Thought her a Lady a Noble might find himself Honoured to Own.
"S. B."
When the Countess finished the letter there was a silence; the maid watched her mistress quietly and made no further sign of interest nor any comment.