But so active were his doubts
and fears as altogether to derange his purposed ceremonial for the
reception of the Marquis.
These feelings of apprehension were not confined to Sir William Ashton.
"It is my mother--it is my mother!" said Lucy, turning as pale as ashes,
and clasping her hands together as she looked at Ravenswood.
"And if it be Lady Ashton," said her lover to her in a low tone, "what
can be the occasion of such alarm? Surely the return of a lady to
the family from which she has been so long absent should excite other
sensations than those of fear and dismay."
"You do not know my mother," said Miss Ashton, in a tone almost
breathless with terror; "what will she say when she sees you in this
place!"
"My stay has been too long," said Ravenswood, somewhat haughtily, "if
her displeasure at my presence is likely to be so formidable. My dear
Lucy," he resumed, in a tone of soothing encouragement, "you are too
childishly afraid of Lady Ashton; she is a woman of family--a lady
of fashion--a person who must know the world, and what is due to her
husband and her husband's guests.
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