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My Aunt Margaret's Mirror | Sir Walter Scott | |
Chapter II |
Page 10 of 11 |
"'In private? and in an assembly room?--he must be mad. Tell him to call upon me to-morrow morning.' "'I said so, my lady,' answered the man, 'but he desired me to give you this paper.' "She undid the billet, which was curiously folded and sealed. It only bore the words, 'ON BUSINESS OF LIFE AND DEATH,' written in a hand which she had never seen before. Suddenly it occurred to her that it might concern the safety of some of her political friends. She therefore followed the messenger to a small apartment where the refreshments were prepared, and from which the general company was excluded. She found an old man, who, at her approach, rose up and bowed profoundly. His appearance indicated a broken constitution, and his dress, though sedulously rendered conforming to the etiquette of a ballroom, was worn and tarnished, and hung in folds about his emaciated person. Lady Bothwell was about to feel for her purse, expecting to get rid of the supplicant at the expense of a little money, but some fear of a mistake arrested her purpose. She therefore gave the man leisure to explain himself. "'I have the honour to speak with the Lady Bothwell?' "'I am Lady Bothwell; allow me to say that this is no time or place for long explanations. What are your commands with me?' "'Your ladyship,' said the old man, 'had once a sister.' "'True; whom I loved as my own soul.' "'And a brother.' "'The bravest, the kindest, the most affectionate!' said Lady Bothwell. "'Both these beloved relatives you lost by the fault of an unfortunate man,' continued the stranger. "'By the crime of an unnatural, bloody-minded murderer,' said the lady. "'I am answered,' replied the old man, bowing, as if to withdraw. |
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My Aunt Margaret's Mirror Sir Walter Scott |
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