Rosa Lambert — page 224: what you’re looking at

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

ROSA LAMBERT. 213 a proof of the confidence which Mrs. Beaumont places in your honour and delicacy ss “Ts it to be a runaway marriage?” asked my cousin Haverstock, with an endeavour to make a jest of the proceeding; though his laugh was sickly enough, and his voice hollow with mingled rage and disappointment. “‘ Not exactly that,” responded the Marquis of Belmore, evidently enjoying his friend’s discom- fiture, and then flinging a look of mingled tender- ness and triumph upon me. “ Perhaps if Mrs. Beaumont has no objection, she will herself put such questions to me that will elicit the answers whereof I desire you both to be the witnesses, and which will specify conditions that as a man of honour I pledge myself to fulfil.” | “Yes—assuredly that will be the best course,” observed Sir John Haverstock, with another feeble attempt at a smile: and he darted a look of re- proach slightly blended with vindictiveness upon mé.~ <.' “T have not the slightest objection,” said Mr. Alvanly, speaking in a cold voice, “ to act as witness to whatsover may be going forward; and I beg it to be understood by all present that I am entirely a disinterested party.” “ An understanding being thus come to,” I said, at length breaking silence, “I can have no objec- tion to put certain questions to his lordship. No —they shall not be questions: I will explain to you, gentlemen ’”—now specifically addressing my- | self to Haverstock and Alvanly—“ the nature of a discourse which the Marquis of Belmore has done me the honour to hold within the last half-hour.” Then, with some show of modest confusion and embarrassment, I went on to say, “ You must know, my dear cousin—and you likewise, Mr. Alvanly—that the Marquis of Belmore has avowed a sincere and devoted love for the humble indi- vidual who is now speaking. His lordship has confessed this passion in the strongest and most emphatic language; and he has displayed every inclination to give me the best proofs of his sin- cerity.” “ Yes—Mrs. Beaumont speaks correctly,” ex- claimed the Marquis, with another glance of tri- umph at Haverstock: “and I would cheerfully | throw myself upon the judgment of the whole world to decide whether the beautiful and charm- ing Rosa does not merit all that I have said to her and all that I purpose to do.” “Spare your eulogies, Belmore,” said Haver- stock, who, notwithstanding his habit of cringing and fawning more or less towards his noble friend, could not altogether suppress a certain display of acrimony at the apparent result of a love-siege in which he himself had evidently expected to come off victorious. “His lordship,” I continued, “proposes to take me to his country-seat, all the charms and at- tractions of which he has depicted in that glow- ing and fascinating language which is so irresis- tible for a poor weak woman.” “ Yes—it is perfectly true,” said the Marquis, “that I purpose to instal my beloved Rosa as mistress of Belmore Manor.” “You hear, gentlemen?” I resumed; “and though you may possibly consider my conduct not merely as strange, but likewise as selfish, mer- ceuary, and worldly-minded to a degree—yet I have given the Marquis of Belmore sufficient explanations on the subject.” “ Assuredly so,’ cried the enamoured and tri- umphant Belmore. “I am perfectly satisfied !” “His lordship has furthermore pledged himself to settle upon me the sum of a thousand a year for life,’ I went on to say; “so that whatsoever contingency may arise, he is anxious I should pos. |sess a permanent proof of the immensity of his love. His lordship will tell you, my dear cousin —and you also, Mr. Alvanly—whether I have again spoken truly or not.” “T have given my word of honour as a nobleman and a gentleman,” exclaimed Belmore; “and I call upon you both to attest the solemn sincerity with which I repeat and ratify the pledge.” “Tf for one am a witness to the compact,” observed Alvanly; “and little though I like to have anything to do with such delicate matters,— yet having been thus drawn into the present one, | [cannot possibly refuse to hold myself in readiness to give testimony at any time to the verbal bond into which your lordship thus enters.” “* And I of course am a witness also,” added Sir John Haverstock : though he looked very much as if he would rather have been a principal than a second in the bargain. “ Now therefore, gentlemen, congratulate me,” exclaimed the Marquis, “upon the possession of one who is so well worthy of my love!” He was about to seize my hand—but I stepped back; and with a tone and look which quite bewildered him, said, “Do not go away for a | minute or two, my dear cousin—nor you, Mr. Al- vanly. Ihave spoken of that brilliant and fas- cinating power of language which the Marquis of Belmore possesses, and which I have no doubt wields as much influence in the Legislature of the country as it has done over my poor weak and feeble heart.” “Rosa!” ejaculated the Marquis, in perfect astonishment, and not knowing whether to take my words in a complimentary or an ironical sense. “Pray do not interrupt me, my lord,” I con- tinued. ‘“ You have paid me so many flattering compliments, that in justice both to yourself and me I must express my opinion of you in the pre- sence of your friends.” Still the Marquis of Belmore stared in vacant bewilderment, but with a slightly growing uneasi- ness in his looks: while Sir John Haverstock exhibited the deepest interest and curiosity ; and Alvanly appeared cold and indifferent, according to the part which he necessarily had to perform in the progressing drama. “tis the misfortune,” I continued, “ of women who possess the least claim to personal attractions, to find themselves persecuted, haunted, and beset | by a number of arrogant coxcombs and conceited puppies who flatter themselves that they have only to speak a word and ensure their conquest at once. specially too, if it be a woman’s misfor- tune to be placed in a position at all equivocal, it is taken for granted that she is both mercenary and profligate—that she is selfish and dissolute— incapable of constancy towards any particular individual—and ready to fling herself fnto the arms of any suitor who offers a higher price than that which she has already obtained. Thus is it that females in my position are literally put up to Go NOOKS (CE)