Rosa Lambert — page 226: what you’re looking at

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

| ail ce ate ER OTD sata Nan. as Ne ae er ee i Oe eee © ON + ’ a —- ' a me ee ee ROSA LAMBERT. 215 “ Yes—like the bees and the butterflies,” I said, still laughing, as I thus alluded to the high-flown strain in which he had addressed me ten days back. “Do be serious, there’s a good girl,” said the Baronet. “You see how anxious I am on your behalf. Indeed, Rose, I more than ever like you for the spirit you have displayed.” “Vour likings grow apace, plain and simple John,” I rejoined; “seeing that you have not yet known me above a fortnight.” “Ves—but there are certain people you know, that one gets to like directly :’—and he bent his looks with the tenderest siguificany upon me. “I wish you would give me the least encouragement to speak out. I—I You see that 1 have some- thing to say es “Surely you have nothing to say which you are afraid will give me offence?’—and I contem- plated him with an air of well assumed sur- prise. “T don’t know how it may be,” he answered in a hesitating manner. “I can’t exactly make you out: there is such a bewitching oddness in your ways—a strangeness that makes you all the more fascinating—an incomprehensibility of character that deepens one’s interest in you if “ You depict me as a sort of female monster,” I observed, with an air of jocularity. “Oh, do be serious, Rose!” ejaculated the young Baronet, with a sudden péevishness: but imme- diately subduing it, he went on to observe, “ Well, Tam determined to speak out, come what may. Will you answer me one question? Did you not repel the overtures of the Marquis because you entertain some little inclination towards another person who for the moment shali be nameless P” “ Yes—it is true,’ I responded. * Ah, I thought so!” cried the Baronet, with a “ And you have entertained this hope ?” i asked, with an air of vague uncertainty. “You know it—you know it! all along seen it! my band. “You are mad!” I cried, quickly withdrawing that hand. “Into what deplorable mistake have you fallen P” “ Mistake!’ he echoed, with angry ficrceness, though still doubting whether I was in earnest. “Have you not just confessed that you refused Belmore on account of a secret inclination for another?” “To be sure!” I ejaculated. “ And that other—did you not suffer me to un- derstand that it was myself?” “T suffered you to understand nothing beyond what I meant to convey.” “This is ridiculous! this is miserable trifling !” he exclaimed, with looks and accents of rage. “There is no trifling in the matter,’ I rejoined. “ Of course I experience a love for Captain Beau- mont is “Ah!” cried the Baronet. fool of me! I—I 58 “ No—it is you who have made a most egregious fool of yourself. Why, all the time that you were questioning me, my thoughts were riveted upon Captain Beaumont; and the poies are not farther asunder than those thoughts were remote from yourself, plain and simple John.” The young Baronet was covered with confusion : his discomfiture was immense — his humiliation was as complete as that of his friend the Marguis had ere now been. “By heaven, Rose,” he cried, starting up from his seat, “i will make you repent your conduct towards me !” “Oh,” I said, flinging upon him a look of You must have Come, Rose!”—anud he seized “You have made a srowing exultation of the voice, as he drew his| mocking contempt and half-smiling scorn; “if chair closer to the one on which I was seated.| you choose to be classed amongst the insolent “And now another question. Did you not, my dear Rose, sive the Marquis that frightful exposure im my presence because you wished me to be assured how you acted towards him ?” “ Yes—that is likewisestrue,” I rejoined. “ Ah, I thought so!” he repeated, but in a still more exulting voice than before. ‘“ Now then, Lt cannot have the slightest hesitation in speaking out frankly. Sweetest, dearest Rose, half my fortune shall be your’s! Yes—you know that I love you—you have seen it—you have understood me-—and you love me in return! The proof you ere now gave me was conclusive. ose, dearest Rose i : “Good heavens,” I ejaculated, “ what would you have me to understand P” “Oh, why torture me like this?” he hastily ex- Claimed. “You will be mine! Say, shall we depart at once for some other place—whithersoever you choose to go! You shall have horses, car- rlages, servants—every luxury and pleasure Ah, Rose! donot trifle withme! You have shown that you love me—you have made me the happiest of men m | “Am I in a dream?” I exclaimed: “or am I really awake? and do T hear aright? You pro- pose that I shall become your mistress———” “Yes,” he joyfully responded; “and we shall be as happy as the day is long.” J puppies and conceited coxcombs whom I ere now denounced—remember that it is your own conduct which places youin thatcategory. My only regret is that I have not a witness to the present scene: but perhaps I shall be enabled to manage without such testimony.” ) Sir John Haverstock sprang up from his chair; and flinging upon me one terribly malignant look, -~-a look which reminded me very much of the expression which the effeminate face of Horace Rockingham was at times wont to wear,—he hur- ried away. I felt completely satisfied with the issue of these adventures: I flattered myself that I had read two coxcombs a lesson which they would not very easily forget—at the same time that I had secured the testimony of Mr. Alvanly to prove, if requisite, everything in my favour, should malig- nant scandal waft anything unpleasant to the ears of George Beaumont. It was not however my purpose to remain any longer at Ramsgate : I did not choose to stand the chance of encountering two young men, who, I felt, were quite capable of offering me some insult in public, and the apprehension of which would destroy the serene pleasure and healthful benefit I was deriving from a sea-side residence. I therefore gave notice to leave my lodgings, and ordered my maid to have the things packed up for departure in a couple of days. On the following forenoon, as I was issuing CORMIE AOC) (E "ee ‘S