Rosa Lambert — page 215: what you’re looking at

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

EL AS DOLE NAG ON ey AL ET Fe + I I IT I 204 — —_2—— ee ee. a ee oe ee --- a eo sense of approaching dissolution oppressed, or who were saddened by the spectacle of perishing loved ones—those who, sated with the pleasures of the metropolis, came to seek fresh ones at the watering-place, as well as those who escaping from the cares of London toil and business, sought diver- sion amidst sea-side scenes—those who were palled by the luxuries of London mansions, and those who came to shake off the dust of London counting-houses,—all these, though constituting such distinctive human items, were blended as it were in the numerous company which thronged at that season on the sands and pier of Ramsgate. I was seated one day upon the sea-shore, read- ing a book and enjoying the calm freshness of the breeze, when I became aware that I was the object of attention on the part of two young gentlemen who were standing at a short distance. One was dressed in a sSailor-like costume, but with that negligent and easy elegance which characterizes such a garb when worn by one who either pos- sessecs a yacht or is fond of boating. He appeared to be about twenty-two years of age: he had long hight hair, worn in a profusion of natural curls ; and he was decidedly good-looking, though of almost as effeminate a countenance as Horace Rockingham: that is to say, he had not the slight- est appearance of beard or whisker, and his com- plexion was remarkably fair, notwithstanding that his dress indicated a love for aquatic pursuits. He was of middle height—slender and well-formed. His companion might be a couple of years older, and had a far more manly look. He was taller and wore a moustache. He was dressed with fashionable elegance; and had something of the “exquisite” about him—but still it was easy to perceive that he was by birth a gentleman. At the moment that I raised my looks, he had a glass up to his eye, and was surveying me with atten- tion: but when my glance fell upon him, he in- stantaneously dropped the glass, and slowly passed on with his companion,—neither of them con- tinuing to stare at me with the slightest degree of rudeness. They had moved away, and I was again occupied with my book, when the words “Is it possible ? my iriend Miss Lambert!” fell upon my ears in tones that were at once familiar to me; and look- ing round, I perceived Mr. Alvanly. He raised his hat with the politeness of a mere acquaintance, and offered his hand. I gave him mine; and he took a chair by my side. “How long have you been at Ramsgate?” he inquired. “Only about ten days,’ was my response: and after a moment’s pause, I added, “ You will be kind enough to address me as Mrs. Beaumont.” “| beg you ten thousand pardons,” he at once rejoined, “for having been indiscreet enough to address you by any name at all in the first in- stance. [can assure you that Iam glad to see you—glad to perceive also that you are in happy and comfortable circumstances,” he added, as he glanced at my attire: for though I was simply and unobtrusively dressed, yet my apparel was such as to justify the inference he had drawn from ib. “| thank you, Mr. Alvanly,’ I said, treating him also in the mere light of an acquaintance. “ How long have you been at Ramsgate P” b) wee em ee ee et eee ee ~ ee ee ROSA LAMBERT. Te ST “T only came the day before yesterday,” he an- swered. “It is a long time since I have seen you: it must be three years—and you will pardon me for observing that you look better than ever, May I take the liberty of an old friend and in. quire is “I know what you would ask, Mr. Alvanly,” I said, perceiving that he hesitated. “TI enjoy tho love and confidence of Captain Beaumont of the Royal Navy. He is now in command of a ship; and by his own desire I am passing a short time at Ramsgate, for change of air,” Mr. Alvanly remained silent for upwards of a minute; and as I felt the meeting to be more or less embarrassing, I was in hopes that he would take his leave, —when he said with some little degree of abruptness, “ And are you really happy, Rose P” ‘Remember, Mr. Alvanly,” I responded, in a serious tone, “the terms upon which we were to meet “True!—I had forgotten!” he exclaimed, with a tincture of vexation in his accents. ‘“ You are angry with me for addressing you by your Christian name. But may I not be permitted to remember that there was a time when I was deeply attached to you . “No, Mr. Alvanly,”’ I interrupted him; “I am convinced that you never really loved me. But I beg that the conversation may either cease here, or take a turn into some other channel.” “ Be not offended with me, Mrs. Beaumont,” he at once said. “ We will continue on the footing of old acquaintances—or of friends, if you will allow me to use the term. Ramsgate is exceedingly gay,’ he went on to observe: “there are all sorts of people here. You see that very old gentleman tottering along, with the stick in his hand and the young lady upon his arm?” “His granddaughter, [ presume?” was my in- terjected observation. “A very natural supposition,” replied Alvanly, —‘‘hbut not exactly the true one nevertheless. That young lady of eighteen is the wife of that old gentleman of eighty. You see that handsome young fefow on horseback ?—he has just lifted his hat to the ill-assorted couple. The old gentleman glances with pride towards his beautiful wife; and his step is for a moment firmer, as his form is likewise for an instant drawn up, with the exulta- tion of his vanity. He loves to parade his charm- ing spouse: but he little suspects that the hand- some cavalier is that wife’s lover, and that their intrigues were notorious in London fashionable life. But how could it be otherwise? The poor girl was not sixteen when she was sacrificed to that old man, who might be her great grandfather. Ah! and now behold that elderly lady with the thin sallow face, and who is dressed as if she were a young creature of eighteen or nineteen. You see the gentleman upon whose arm she leans ?— he is not five-and-twenty. They are husband and wife. She is immensely rich: he was a ruined gcamester. Sho was careful cnough to have all her fortune settled upon herself; and she doles him out money just as if he were a school-boy. See! he flings a look over his shoulder at the handsome lady’s-maid who is carrying those volumes. That look tells the tale of what is going on between the young husband and the handsome serving-woman ; 900k 0 (ee) m © ms a a a