Rosa Lambert — page 118: what you’re looking at

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as EN rn ROSA LAMBERT. and for his sake I endeavoured to assume an out- ward calmness, though inwardly I was well nigh distracted. He told me that he must go away with the officer to ‘the lock-up house—that he would at once take measures to sell his commission, in order to emancipate himself—and that in a few days he should be restored to freedom. I besought him to write to his father: but he positively, and even vehemently refused to adopt this course :— he doubtless well knew that the only conditions on which Sir Reginald would come to his succour, must be based on the complete and solemnly pledged separation from myself, I spoke of my jewels, my diamonds, and all my valuables, as the means of raising money to liquidate the debt for which he was arrested: but, alas! it amounted to more than two thousand pounds—and between us both, we hhad not sufficient personal property whereby to procure such a sum. Besides, Regi- nald declared that he would sooner go to gaol and remain there eternally, than suffer me to part with a single thing which I possessed. I besought him to allow me to share his imprisonment :—deeply, deeply anxious was I to make a fitting return for all the proofs of sincere affection which he demon- strated towards me. The officer, overhearing a portion of our dis- course, said that there was not the least objection against my accompanying Captain Fortescue to the lock-up house in Chancery Lane to which he was about to be conducted; but he hinted that I could only remain there for certain hours in the day, and not altogether. This permission, qualified though it were, was a relief to my mind; and a hackney-coach being procured, we quitted the house. JI told Frances to keep the circumstance as secret as possible,—adding that I should be back in the evening. The poor girl, who really loved me, wept as she saw me preparing to accompany my protector to a spunging-house; and she pro- mised faithfully to attend tomy instructions. The dingy-looking head-quarters of the sheriff’s-officer were reached: the dismal interior was entered ; and methought that my heart would burst when I beheld the iron bars to the windows of the room to which we were conducted. Reginald en- deavoured to assume a cheerful demeanour; and we mutually did all we could to keep up our spirits. He sent off at once for some man of business, to whom he gave instructions for the sale of his commission; and again were my entreaties that he would pause and reflect, fruitlessly offered up. When I returned to Sloane Street in the evening, the house seemed as lonely as if it were a desert; and my pillow was that night moistened with my tears. A week passed away, during which Reginald remained at the lock-up house; and I passed the greater portion of every day with him. He con. tinually assured me that he was consoled and eheered by the proofs of devoted love which I afforded him; and frequently, as he strained me in his arms, did he declare that he would sooner make any sacrifice than consent to separate from me. He even endeavoured to lead me into solemn vows and pledges to the effect that under no circum- stances would I consent to part from him: but to these I would not abandon myself, even in moments of melting tenderness. During this week the arrangements progressed for the sale of Reginald’s 107 commission: but unfortunately detainers for other debts were lodged against bim; and this cireum- stance he could not keep from me. The amount to be expected from the commission, was not near sufficient to meet all those liabilities: but Reeinald buoyed himself up with the hope that his creditors, by receiving part of their due, would give him time for the remainder—so that he should still be enabled to accomplish his release. I was too little acquainted with matters of this description ‘to estimate the feasibility of these plans: I never- theless had certain misgivings which I could not subdue, though I strove my best to conceal them. The week of which I have spoken, expired. It was my habit since Reginald’s arrest, to rise very early, and breakfast by eight o’clock—so as to be with him soon after nine. One morning. just as I had hurriedly finished my meal and was about to hasten up-stairs to dress, a loud double knock re- sounded through the house; and in a few moments Frances announced Sir Reginald Fortescue. CHAPTER XIV. SIR REGINALD FORTESCUE. THE Baronet has been described as being above sixty years of ace—of middle stature, stoutly built, but evidently infirm in his limbs. He dressed like a country gentleman of the old school, with the exception of the top-boots. He wore a blue coat with brass buttons—a buff waistcoat—a broad- brimmed hat; and walked with a gold-headed cane. The expression of his countenance, which was round and red, was naturally good-humoured : it now had an air of severity, mingled with mourn- fulness and annoyance. The announcement of his name was to my ears the death-knell of love, and hope, and happiness. “Miss Lambert,’ he said, the severity of his countenance gradually disappearing as he assumed a gentle, if not actually kind tone of voice—while he bowed politely; “I come for the purpose of occupying half-an-hour of your time; and I hope that you will not refuse your attention for that brief space.” I could not speak—but I motioned him to be seated, while I resumed the chair from which I had risen on his entrance. He sat down—gazed upon me earnestly for a few moments—and then said, “You cannot be at a loss to comprehend wherefore I have sought you.” “Yes, sir,’ I answered murmuringly; “ I ought to have been prepared for something of this kind But é And I stopped short, my voice suffocated with the emotions that swelled up into my throat. “Miss Lambert,” continued the old gentleman, in a still kinder tone, “‘ I am not come to reproach ; and you need not fear that a single uncourteous word shall fall from my lips. ‘You and I have met before—you recollect where and when. You left behind you on that occasion a letter for my son. That letter I read. Its contents made me think very differently of you from what I before thought. I do not mean to flatter you: this is an occasion, and we are in the midst of circumstances, that render it necessary for the truth to be told. ne a ee ——~ Gomichboo (E ‘Ss (E(©)