Rosa Lambert — page 101: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

me ele ee o* —<—~-9 YO ROSA LAMBERT. at the bottom was in bold letters of Indian ink, Let the reader conceive how I started, and what myriads of conflicting emotions were in an instant excited in my mind, when I read these words— “The Hawthorn Estate, Cheshire.” “Perhaps you happen to know the property, ma’am P” said Mr. Perkins, perceiving how I was suddenly agitated. “Ves—I know something of it—I have been in ’ Cheshire,” I stammered out: but speedily recover- ing my self-possession, I said in a more collected manner, “Is it possible that the estate is to be sold P” “Well, between you-and me, ma’am,” replied the agent, “it is to be disposed of by public auc- tion or. by private contract, no matter which ; and it was into Cheshire that I was so suddenly sent on that very same afternoon that you were here a week back.” At this moment the elerk entered, and said, “ If you please, six, young Mr. Rockingham wishes to speak to you. He is in a very great hurry, and will not detain yow. above a few minutes,” “T am in no hurry,” I said to the agent. “By all means go and attend to your business. J will wait here ;”—for, as the reader may suppose, I had no inclination to encounter the detested Horace Rockingham. “Well, ma’am,” said My. Perkins, “if you would have the kindness to sit down and wait a few moments, I shall be very much obliged :’— then addressing his clerk, he added, “Tell Mr. Rockingham I will come to him immediately.” The house-agent courteously placed a chair for my accommodation, and followed his elerk into the front office. Between the room in which I re- mained, and that front office there was a door the upper half of which was of ground-glass; so that without being seen, I could overhear all that was said in that office. “T wish to speak to you alone, Mr. Perkins;” house-agent made his appearance. ‘““T am very sorry, sir,’ was the response, “ that I cannot immediately ask you into my private room: for a lady is there upon business. But my cierk shall step out—and it does happen that I have a little business for him to do in the neigh- hood. Take this letter, Robert,” he added, now speaking to his clerk, “and wait for the reply.” There was a brief pause, during which I heard the outer door of the front office open and shut— alter which the conversation between Horace Rock- ing and the house-agent was renewed. “My father has sent me, Mr. Perkins,” said Horace, who spoke in a quick excited manner, “ to see you without delay. You are to do nothing about the estate until you hear more rf “ But have you brought a letter, Mr. Rockingham, to that effect from Mr. Fleming, the lawyer P” “ No—my father was hurrying off to him,” an- swered Hor: ACG, “to tell him that something had transpired “ But, my dear sir,’ interrupted Mr. Perkins, Just look for-a moment how the matter stands— and you will see that I am not a free agent. Your father owes Mr, Kleming’s clients one hundred and fifty thousand pounds “Oh, those accursed speculations,’ interjected Horace bitterly, “ which created. the debt!” A tC TC CE ay Rockingham. observed Horace Rockingham, the moment the | “With them, my dear sir, I have nothing to do,” resumed Perkins. “ What are the facts ? Your father gives Mr. Fleming a power of sale over his Cheshire estates: the ereditors press for the money—and Mr. Fleming sends me down in a tremendous hurry to look at the property and receive the plans from your father’s bailiff. You know how I was hastened off, and how peremptory my instructions were i “ But you only got back last night,” interrupted Horace, in a tone of remonstrance; “and you surely do not mean to take steps at onee P” “Mr. Rockingham,” said Perkins, “ my orders were that the very instant of my return I was to lose no time in drawing up the requisite advertise- ments. and inserting them in the newspapers. Those advertisements will be drawn up to-day ; and will be sent this evening to all the papers, so as to appear to-morrow morning, Yow have there- fore several howrs before you. Go and obtain Mr. Fleming’s' written authority for me to suspend these proceedings; and of cowrse I obey. Other- wise I cannot” “Very good! I will be off at once,” exclaimed “For heaven's sake lot nothing ooze out in the meantime: #6 would be ruinous to my father’s hopes !” “Am I to understand, then,” inquired Mr. Perkins, “that there is amy chance of am amicable sottlenaaiit, and that. the estates will not be browght — to the hammer P” “Every chance!” rejoined Horace, who, by his voice, was evidently in a state of feverish excites ment. “Look you, Mr. Perkins—I don’t mind. telling: you exactly how the affair stands; so that you may perecive the vital importance of keeping the thing strictly secret for the present. My father was introduced yesterday to old Sey- mouwrts——” en Ah! r the wealthy capitalist ?” ejaculated Per- “But he is a hard-fisted miser, and by no means likely to part with his money except on the very best security.” “Well, and that security he will have,’ cone tinued Horace. “Two friends of my father, to whom he has privately revealed his difficulties, will be his security to old Obadiah Seymour for one hundred thousand pounds; and that sum will of course satisfy the creditors, who will not press for the immediate payment of the Tense fifty thousand.” “ Ah! this looks well,” remarked Perkins, “if it can be carriedout. But L repeat, old Seymour is uncommonly shrewd and cunning; and if he thought your father was in diitirer Make, he would never lend the money.” “That is the very reason why the affair about the estates must be kept so quiet,” continued Horace. “ Old#Seymour asked for a mortgage: but he was given to understand that my father could not possibly do such a thing, as it would get abroad and he would consider himself alto- gether dishonoured. It has been represented to Mr. Seymour that my father, having an ex- cellent speculation in view, wishes for this” amount 4 “ Well, well—I understand,” interrupted Per- kins. “Nothing shall transpire from my office. Go you quick and get’ Mr. Fleming’s written authority for me to stop the proceedings—and B