Rosa Lambert — page 210: what you’re looking at

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

rE RE ROSA LAMBERT. ee _——$_ her just now ongthe stairs,” rejoimed Beaumont ; “and Ihave no doubt that she has read it over half-a-dozen times while we have been thus speak- ing.” sf need not do more than passingly allude to the delight experienced by Frances on receiving the letter from her lover ;—and her gratitude to Beau- mont and myself for all we had done and were doing for her, was warmly expressed. I was not much better on the following day—but I pre- tended to be so, in order that Beaumont should not postpone his intended visit to the Marchioness of Sudbury; for I was anxious that the child should be taken from the charge of Mrs, Stirling without any unnecessary delay. The Captain accordingly set off at about noon to see Lucia’s aunt ; and inasmuch as on his return he gave me an accurate description of all that took place, I am enabled to describe it just as well as if I my- self had been a witness thereof. | On arriving at the mansion of the Marchioness, Beaumont did not choose to give his name, for fear lest the interview which he sought should be refused—as that name had become known to the Marchioness at M. Delancey’s house. He merely bade the footman say that a gentleman requested to see her ladyship on business of a private and a very important nature. He was conducted into a splendidly furnished drawing-room, where in a few minutes the Marchioness made her appearance. But the moment she caught sight of Captain Beaumont, an angry ejaculation burst from her lips; and the same feeling was expressed in her countenance. “jT have no doubt that your ladyship is sur- prised to see me,” said Beaumont: “but I beg at once to assure vou that my visit has no reference whatsoever to the scene which occurred a short time back in M. Delancey’s studio.” “Then for what purpose do you come, Captain Beaumont ?” inquired the Marchioness, coldly in- dicating a chair, while she seated herself in a prim and formal manner upon the sofa. “ tT came in respect to a painful matter,” re- sumed the Captain, who did not very well know how he could best enter upon his explanations. “"Indeed——” “T have not the slightest doubt,” interrupted Lady Sudbury sharply, “ that a certain person has given vent to all kinds of calumnies. She isa thorough adept in that work.” - © Whatever your ladyship may think of the person to whom you allude,’ answered Beaumont, in a dignified manner, “ i beg to inform you that she enjoys my fullest confidence, and I have every reason to speak well of her.” “There are some women in this world who are so cunning and artful,” observed the Marchioness, disdainfully tossing her head. : “There are, madam,” rejoined Beaumont: “and your niece Lady Lucia Calthorpe is one of them.” “Sir, if you have come hither to insult my niece behind her back,” cried Lady Sudbury, now getting into a rage, “ you are insulting me to my face. Will you have the kindness to render this interview as short as possible P” “Rest assured, madam,” responded Beaumont. “ that it is not so agreeable for me that I should seck to prolong it unnecessarily. To come to the ee at il OE tC CE CE NLC tc TE eC LT I ED LLL LL LL LLL ALLL ALLL LE LE LL 109 point :—your niece’s child has been shamefully abandoned by her, and in the name of humanity I demand an adequate provision for the unfor- tunate little being.” The Marchioness of Sudbury turned ghastly pale, even through the rouge upon her checks: she quivered from head to foot—she endeavoured to appear outraged, scandalized, and indignant in her own person, on her niece’s bebalf ;—but the attempt was a failure, and she literally gasped for the power of utterance. “T was fully prepared, madam,” resumed Beau- mont, “to be met with contradictions and denials : but unfortunately for your side, and fortunately for the poor little girl, there are incontestible proofs 4 “Captain Beaumont,” said the Marchioness, in an imploring voice, “you would not ruin my un- happy niece P” 4D a “ No, madam—God forbid that I should inflict a wanton injury upon any one! Nevertheless, the conduct of Lady Lucia Calthorpe has keen so utterly heartless—so completely ‘devoid of every feeling, not merely of maternal affection, but hke- wise of honour, principle, and common justice, towards the poor persons to whom the child was consigned “i “What mean you, sir?” demanded Lady Sud- bury, in almost breathless amazement. ‘1 have myself, from my own purse, supplied my niece with the requisite funds for the support of that child.” “Then, madam, all I can say is this,” replied Beaumont,—“ that the circumstances of the case, after the assurance you have just given me, be- come more intensely black against Lady Lucia Calthorpe than ever, and it were almost a sin to leave her unpunished. Doubtless she has pre- ferred a new dress—or has been dazzled by some brilliant gem in a jeweiler’s shop—or has frittered away her money in the thousand and one frivol- ties to which the loose gold of personages of the higher sphere is too often devoted; and thus has the poor child—her own child—been abandoned to the eleemosynary charity of strangers—and those strangers scarcely able to bestow such charity at all!” “You astonish me, Captain. Beaumont !” cried the Marchioness, with a genuine amazement. “This is really too bad !” At that moment the door opened; and Lady Lucia—who, it appeared, was on a visit to her aunt—entered the drawing-room. But upon be- holding Captain Beaumont, she stopped short, and endeavoured to assume a cold haughty look. “Lucia, you can retire,” said the Marchioness, abruptly and angrily. “On the contrary,” observed Beaumont, “it 1s better that her ladyship should know what is passing. I insist upon it!” he added, in a peremptory manner: for he was resolved that Lady Lucia should experience some degree of punishment—and it occurred to him that the best course of chastisement through which she could be put, was to be overwhelmed with shame, if she were susceptible of it in his presence. “Come forward, then,” said the Marchioness, still angrily and sharply. “ Lucia,” she continued, in a graver tone, as the young lady advanced with a visible trembling—for she saw that something 19? <s ~—____ (Coa elaoo EO)