Rosa Lambert — page 117: what you’re looking at

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

106 bosom, ‘Taunts the most goading—predictions the most terrible—insults the most intolerable, had been wound up by an announcement that was all but overwhelming. I was in that state of mind when fancy adopts the worst as something certain, instead of seeking to hope for the best. If that intelligence were true, and Reginald was ruining himself for me,—Oh, what ineffable agony of mind should I endure! At length I became somewhat calmer; and I said to myself that I was wrong to allow the insolence of a vile un- grateful Woman to produce such an effect upon me. But the effect had been produced; and I could not conquer it. Within comparatively a few hours I had.been stricken a series of blows, all having the fearfully solemn aspect of warnings. Caroline’s narrative, and everything that con- cerned her, seemed not merely to belong to her- self alone, but to be typical of the career of every female who strays from the path of virtue,—with this lamentable distinction, that whereas she was ultimately received across the paternal threshold ; again, the same liappy rescue from misery and distress might Be the fortunate lot of none others. And then too, came all the terrible predictions winch Margaret had. uttered Oh! it seemed as if heaven in a variety of ways. was pouring iorth omens and warnings around me! . I was very dull and low-spimted the whole morning, until Reginald Fortescue: made his. ap- pearance. In the meantime Margaret had taken her departure; and Frances: by ler looks showed that she knew what had taken, place: and that she sincerely compiiserated me. I longed! to ask her what were the grounds on which Margaret had spoken so confidently of Captain Fortescue’s pe- cunlary affairs: but I did not consider it delicate or becoming to enter upon such asubject. It was about one o'clock when Reginald made his appear- ance; and as he immediately saw that something was the matter with me, I candidly told hum all that had taken place in respect to the discharged housemaid. ‘Then in his countenance I beheld, alas! the confirmation of my worst fears! “To tell you the truth, dearest Rose,’ he said; finding that it was useless to conceal his position:| from me any longer, “I am a little troubled in | certain quarters—because my father has diminished | the supplies. When he was in London three | or four weeks back, he insisted I should obtain | leave of absence and pay him my usual visit: but | Icould not bear to separate from you. He went | away in anger; and that was the reason of his | abrupt departure from London. You must not be angry because I did not tell you all this before.” “No, my dear Reginald,’ I answered; “1 am not angry. On the contrary, [am bound to re- gard your silence as a proof of affection. You would not willingly inflict pain upon me: your conduct has been most generous, most noble— most self-sacrificing: and mine shall now be equally so. Reginald,” I added in a firm voice, though heaven knows my heart was lacerated as I spoke, “ we must separate.” ‘Separate, Rose P’ he cried, in perfect conster- nation: “and we have not been three months together! No, no—it is impossible! I will make any sacrifice sooner than part from you. It is not you who have got me into debt. 1 was much ROSA LAMBERT. gave way to all the bitter anguish that filled my | eo encumbered before f ever knew you; and have 0 not dared tell my father the extent of my liab ties. Rose, here on my knees I conjure you not | to leave me! I love you—you know that I love you! Lhave been wild and reckless—dissipated — —and even debauched: this is the first serious passion I have ever known—and it is a lasting one ! In heaven’s name, do not snap the bonds which bind us to each other !” What could L say? what couldI do? Regi- nal was kneeling at my feet,—his handsome countenance upturned towards me with a look of so much tender entreaty that I had not. the heart. to perform what I nevertheless felt to be my duty. I flung my arms around his neck: he strained me to his breast, exclaiming, “Ah, this is an assurance, Rose, that you will not again speak to me of separation !”’ Scarcely had we grown somewhat calm after — this little seene—and scarcely had Reginald begun to tell me of some plan which lie was about to — adopt in order to raise money—when Frances entered the drawing-room, to say that a person desired to speak to Captain Fortescue. “What sort of a person?” inquired Reginald, with a sudden start of uneasiness, “Here he is, sir,’ responded Fiances, who started in her turn on finding that the individual had followed her, hitherto unperceived). up to the: room+door, The man entered; and his appearance at once made Reginald turn pale,—so that on my part, without precisely comprehending the nature of the calamity which was about to explode, I was. seized with a vague terror. “You can retire, young woman, addressing himself to Frances. word or two with your master.” The maid, flinging a glance of sympathy upon me, left the apartment; and as the door closed behind her, Reginald said in a whispering voice, but in a nervously excited manner, as he took my hand. and pressed it violently, “ For heaven’s sake, ” said the man, “T just want-a. conquer your feelings, Rose!—keep up your cour- age—be of good spirits—all will yet end well. This person is @ sheriif’s- officer—and I know wherefore he comes.’ “ A sheriff’s-officer ?” I echoed; in a dying tone : for now the horrible conviction smote upon my mind that he whom [ loved was about to be borne to prison. “Well, Captain Fortescue,” said the officer, who. seemed anxious to do his work as civilly as possi- ble, “I am sorry to have been obliged to come here: but I didn’t like to take you while on guard yesterday. Iwent to your lodgings in Pall Mall just now—but did not find you there; and as my orders are positive, I was obliged to come down to Sloane Street. Beg pardon, ma’am,” he continued, turning to me, and making a bow; “but these little accidents do happen to young gentlemen now and then—and I dare say the Captain will soon settle his affairs. Of course, sir, you will come quiet; and so I won’t have my man into the house.” Thus speaking, the officer advanced to the win- dow and made a sign, doubtless to his adjunct who had waited in the street. and reassuring things he could possibly think of ; , Pe m —— airs 1 wy Meanwhile Reginald — continued whispering in my ear all the ct | tin 2 i ae s Pi Le a j nicbooks.com