"
"And I think, madam," said the Lord Keeper, losing his accustomed temper
and patience, "that if you had nothing better to tell us, you had better
have kept this family secret to yourself also."
"You will pardon me, Sir William," said the lady, calmly; "the noble
Marquis has a right to know the cause of the treatment I have found it
necessary to use to a gentleman whom he calls his blood-relation."
"It is a cause," muttered the Lord Keeper, "which has emerged since the
effect has taken place; for, if it exists at all, I am sure she knew
nothing of it when her letter to Ravenswood was written."
"It is the first time that I have heard of this," said the Marquis;
"but, since your ladyship has tabled a subject so delicate, permit me
to say, that my kinsman's birth and connexions entitled him to a patient
hearing, and at least a civil refusal, even in case of his being so
ambitious as to raise his eyes to the daughter of Sir William Ashton."
"You will recollect, my lord, of what blood Miss Lucy Ashton is come by
the mother's side," said the lady.
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