Rosa Lambert — page 223: what you’re looking at

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

ee eee 212 will have to experience during this long separation ? Pardon me for expressing the thought: but it ap- pears to me that a lady of your age—your beauty —will find it difficult to habituate herself to a secluded existence, with no one to accompany her into the circles of gaiety.” “TI care not for them, my lord,” was my answer : and then [ added with a smile, “If I remember aright, your lordship assured me about ten days back that you yourself were surfeited with plea- sure, and longed to settle down into a compara- tively quiet mode of existence.” “Suffer me, my dear Mrs. Beaumont,” resumed the Marquis, “to explain what my ideas of real happiness and comfort now are. Picture to your- self a beautiful country-seat, sufficiently near a large town to permit the enjoyment of a select range of acquaintances—and sufliciently remote from it to be charmingly rural. Fancy the dwell- ing to be cheerfully situate on an eminence, in the midst of pleasure grounds, where there are gar- dens, conservatories, and hot-houses—grass plats and ornamental pieces of water, on which stately swans float—a suitable retinue of domestics—car- riages and horses—in a word, everything suitable for the comforts and happiness of the occupants of that mansion. Such a dwelling and such a little domain do I possess: but it is impossible for me to settle down there, unless in the companionship of some charming creature whose presence will ani- mate and enliven the whole scene. Now you begin to comprehend, my dear Mrs. Beaumont, what my views of happiness are. I do not speak of mar- riage, remember: but I feel that I could be more devoted as a lover than I possibly could as a hus- band, The lady who would consent to be my companion in that charming spot, should find me solicitous for her welfare. In plain terms, I would settle upon her a thousand a year,—so that if our tempers did not agree, or if any circumstances transpired to render a separation expedient, she would enjoy a competency for the remainder of her days. What think you of my views, Mrs. Beau- mont ?” “ Really, my lord,” I responded, “I am unable to offer an opinion upon the matter.” “Oh!” he abruptly exclaimed, “it is not an opinion I ask—it is a decision that I solicit. I can keep silence no longer. Yow are the being who can alone throw an additional charm upon the domain of which I have spoken. I love you, dearest Rosa—I love you, adorable creature that you are! Let not your response be one that will plunge me into despair !” “ My lord,” I said, without looking him in the face, “ you are addressing me in language " “Oh! you must have seen that you were not indifferent to me!” cried the Marquis. “Tell me—I beseech you to tell me, that I am not altogether indifferent to you! ‘Will you be mine? L offer you a loving and affectionate heart: I offer you all the happiness which I have the means of creating for your enjoyment!” “ In plain terms, my lord,” I said, still keeping my looks downcast, “ you propose that I should prove faithless to one who has placed confidence in me—You demand that I should abandon my alle- giance to the absent Beaumont—and that I should transfer my affections to you whom I have not yet known a fortnight. This offer ig in some Ee ee ee _ OT ee ee ee ROSA LAMBERT. respects tempting—I will not deny it: but what proof have I of your sincerity? At present I have a position which is secure—ample resources —a well-appointed residence in London—horses and carriages bu “Yes—but no companion to enable you to enjoy the real pleasures of life. You are condemned to a sort of solitude; and this is to last for three or four years Oh! as for my sincerity, do- mand of me what proof you will, and it shall be given !” “You speak fairly, my lord,” I said, purposely adopting a subdued and murmuring tone, as if I were yielding more and more to the influence of temptation; “and it may appear exceedingly selfish and worldly-minded on my part—but still, my lord, I must have proofs of your sincerity. You do not offer me marriage—and I am not so foolish as to expect such a proposition at your hands. But you have shadowed forth certain definite proposals ‘: “Which I wil give you in writing!” exclaimed Belmore, in that tone of exultation which sprang from a heart already glowing with the triumph of anticipated success. “No, my lord,” I rejoined: “I could not possibly barter myself, as it were, on such merce- nary principles. The word of a nobleman will be sufficient, if merely pledged in the presence of a couple of confidential friends.” “Be it so!” he ejaculated: and the furtive glance which I quickly flung upon him, showed me that his countenance was radiant with joy and triumph. “ Ah, nothing can be better! I behold Haverstock and Alvanly walking yonder! Have you any objection that my word of honour shall be pledged in their presence? But perhaps—as I know that you were once intimate with Alvanly —and as Sir John is your cousin, you might hesitate ?” “Not at all, my lord,” I said. “Mr. Alvanly is now an object of as much indifference to me as I know that I am to him; and as for Sir John Haverstock—although my cousin, he is no straight- laced relative who will chide or remonstrate. Let it therefore be in the presence of those two gentile- men that your proposition shall be renewed and the terms pledged on your word of honour.” My cousin and Alvanly did not appear to be observing us—though I knew full well that they both saw us right well, but had their own separate reasons for not seeming todo so. The Marquis of Belmore hastened towards them—but without go- ing close up, caught their eyes, and beckoned them to come to us. This they did. Alvanly saluted me with a distant courtesy, purposely assumed so as to evade the suspicion that there was any secret intelligence between us. Sir John Haver. stock grasped my hand with his wonted appear- ance of friendly warmth: but I saw that he glanced uneasily from me towards the Marquis. I looked serious and grave, as if conscious of the importance of the step I was taking: while Lord Belmore could not possibly conceal his triumphant feelings—so that they were expressed in the joyous’ animation of his countenance. “ My friends,” he said, “ I have asked you to be present at a ceremony of a somewhat singular kind; and it is as friends that I have thus sought your assistance. The circumstance likewise affords - ~~ oe EEE ee ee 0 Ca ea Gomicbooks