Rosa Lambert — page 221: what you’re looking at

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

ce , 210 -_- -- +--+ (cm in accosting me, and that thenceforth they would not together seek my society. If this should be the case, I saw that it would constitute a proof of the genuine truthfulness of Alvanly’s story: though I had little or no reason to doubt its accuracy; but still I had seen and experienced so much villanous treachery in the world as to be rendered mistrustful of almost everything that did not carry conviction on the face of it. The Marquis of Belmore, as I said, was ap- proaching me; and raising his hat, he made a salutation with all the well-bred courtesy that he would have shown towards a lady of the highest rank and of the most unequivocal character. 4 re- eeived him with as much affability as was proper to be displayed towards a comparative stranger: it was however with some difficulty that I so far subdued the indignation whieh was rising within me as to prevent my countenanee from betraying the knowledge which I lad of his libertine hope and purpose. Ste sat down on a chair by my side —and began conversing in that style of fashionable ease which young men in his sphere of life are wout to display. He lightiy touched on the sub- ject of love—and as if quite in a casual and accidental manner, intimated that he had as yet escaped young Cupid’s darts, but he supposed his time would come—he did not know how soon— and for that matter he did not cate, as he was tolerably well fatigued of the pleasutes of fashion- able life, and would have no objecetio& to setile down in comparative qiieftude with some beaute- ous creature whom he could love and who would repay him with a reciprocal affection, I appeared to take all this as the reckless, listless, meaningless chattering with which idle young men are accus- tomed to entertain silly young ladies: but Lt neither encouraged him to proceed—nor suffered him to comprehend that I took his allusions as ———— being pointed towards myself. After having gone | on in that strain for some little while, the Marquis of Belmore proffered me his arm for aramble along the sea-shore or on the pier: but I declined upon some pretext—and raising his hat, he took his leave. On the following day, I was joined in a similar manner by my cousin Sir John Uaverstock. He accosted me with all the off-hand friendly fami- liarity of a relation, which he most admirably assumed for his purpose—thus proving that he was a consummate master of the arts of duplicity. “Tam thinking, my dear Rosa,” be said, “ that you must be somewhat dull all by yourself at this place. What if we were to form a riding-party ? I suppose you are a good equestrian: all young ladies are now-a-days. I have got some of my own horses down here—and one that I have just bought as a present for my sister. I was going to send if up to town: but I will keep it here for your use-———or what is better still, would you do rae the favour to accept it as a little token of my esteem P”’ “ T would not for the world,’ was my response, “deprive your sister of a present specially intended for herself. As for the riding-party, I thank you for your consideration on my behalf: but L prefer keeping as muchas possible by the sea-side. L can obtain the country aw in the neighbourhood of London ; and moreover there is no beautiful scenery in the vicinage of Ramsgate,” se a ee re ee Re ew ete ee CES + eemme Se ete ROSA LAMBERT. etnies ne Teen eeee een n nee nee e eee eee een eee nn nee ee TT assem “Oh, there IT must beg to differ from you, my fair cousin!” replied Haverstock. “ However, you must really sulier me to do something to amuse you. What say youtoapic-nie? It shall be upon the sea-shore: I will invite the Marquis and a few other fine fellows of my acquaintance. Some will have their wives with them——” “And I, you know,” was my grave response, “am no wife !” “What the deuce does that matter ?” cried Sir John. “They will be none the wiser.” “It is nevertheless a cheat which I do not choose to practise,” was my rejoinder, “ Well, well—just as you like,” exclaimed the Baronet. “But what can I do to help you to while away the time? You are fond of reading: you ti¢atly always have a book with you. May I come atid past an hour with you at your abode ? E will read atything you like. You will find me a most amiable and attentive cousins I will hold your skeins of sillt for you—I will sing with you— for of course you ave fond of music. I will sketch with you: for L am a famous hand with the pencil “What countless qualifications !” I exclaimed, laughing, “ Yottare a regular lady’s man. You ought te marry.” “ Ol, matriage be hanged!” cried the Baronet. “ Hut sitiee you have mentioned the subject, I will speale to you in confidence of my views and hopes. Of course, bebween edusins there may be a friendly and genuine unbosomings of the thoughts. The fact is, I have been father gay—as all young men with plenty of money,are. You would not believe rae if I told you that I was a saint in respect to the fair sex: and I will candidly eonfess that I am nots Well, I know no living thing m nature except bees and butterflies that can for ever go on flitting fiom flower to flower, culling their succes- sive sweets, without becoming sated by the very variety of pleasure’s self. I aii thus sated and tlitis weatied in that respeeb; and I would give the world to find some beautiful, intellectual, and amiable being who would be unto me as a wife without the shackles of marriage. I am sure I could attach myself to such a being, and prove faithful, devoted, and constant.” “ Never!’ I exclaimed, laughing. “If you were thirty or forty, you might settle down thus tranguilly : but at two-and-twenty, the idea is simply ridiculous. We are speaking as cousins; and of course in making me your confidante, you wish for my opinion. It is therefore this—that the element of fickleness is too strong in a young man of your age t “You wrong me, my dear cousin—you wrong me, I can assure you!” interrupted Haver- stock. ‘‘ When you come to know me better, you will alter your opinion. I have explained my views ; and I am perfectly sincere. To speak more candidly still, I know that a mistress is to be picked up in any place and at any moment: but it is not a creature, however beautiful, who throws herself into the arms of the richest bidder, that I could love or from whom I should expect love in return, My object is to find some one who would love me for myself alone. As a matter of course, I should render my riches available to ensure her well-being for the present and her independence for the rest of her life. This would be a duty : (E(o)