Rosa Lambert — page 235: what you’re looking at

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

= ee “<< _ --<- Pe oe we et ee - - . aot ee eee 224 — flashed to my mind that the dreadful affair could possibly be yet arranged. “ Only a cool thousand,” said my brother: “and as it’s on a bank, there’s no use in trying to patch it up. They are sure to prosecute.” I felt sick at heart: the hope to which I had for a moment clung, died within me. The two pc'licemen evidently began to compassionate the state of mind into which I was thrown ; and one of them said hurriedly but kindly, “ Look, ma’am -—there’s a crowd collecting. You had better go ‘home and compose your feelings: you can see him to-morrow either at the police-office or Newgate— for he is sure to be committed.” Newgate!—the fearful word sent a cold shiver through my entire form; and again [ felt as if consciousness were abandoning me. But glancing around, I perceived that the officer was right, and that several persons were collecting on the spot where this scene took place. I was recalled to myself by the spectacle; and grasping one of Cyril’s manacled hands, I said, ‘‘ Good God, how could you have done this? But no—I will not reproach you! You ought to be already wretched enough. Do you want money ?’—and I quickly drew forth my purse. “It’s of no use, ma’am, to give him a single farthing,’ said the officer who had previously spoken: “it would only be taken from him when he gets to the station-house. The best thing you can do is to go to a lawyer and employ him in the defence. He will tell you what ought to be done. And now pray hasten onward, ma’am—or it will be more and more unpleasant for you.” “ Cyril,” I said, in a voice almost choked with my convulsing emotions, ‘I will do all I can for you:”’—and again pressing his hand, I hurried away. For some minutes I walked as if in a dream. The people whom I passed, must have fancied that I was either intoxicated or insane: for when I began to recover a degree of self-possession, I felt that my looks must be wild indeed. Good heavens, what bitter affliction !—what ignominy, what dis- grace had Cyril brought down upon himself! I remembered the advice given me by the constable ; and I resolved to consult a solicitor without delay. It was now three o’clock in the afternoon—and there was not much time to be lost: for I was aware that professional men usually left their offices at about five. Dut I was unacquainted with any solicitor; and therefore on this point was at a loss how to proceed. Suddenly I recol- lected that Joanna Haverstock’ would be waiting for me at the villa; and it struck me that she might be enabled to assist me with her advice. Besides, I felt so profoundly in need of consolation —I longed to weep in the arms of a friend! TLomeward I accordingly bent my way’; and as I had expected, found Joanna in the d,awing- room. She was amazed and frightened at my looks; and as she questioned me, a feeling of shiAme on my brother’s account stopped the explanatio..s which were on the point of issuing from my lips. I burst into tears; and flinging myself on a sofa, wept convulsively. Joanna threw her arms round my neck, and said all she possibly could to solace and soothe me,—at the same time entreating to a sess ee ee - — vy ~-— - ws ROSA LAMBERT. — —_—_ ——- most feverish suspense, as the hope suddenly ; some time before I could find words wherewith to convey a description of the horrible calamity which had occurred : but when at length I made it known, Miss Haverstock displayed the most generous sympathy. She was profoundly moved and shocked, both on my brother’s and my own account: but she gently and soothingly bade me remember that criminal though he were, I was not responsible for his actions, and need not feel a sense of shame re- dounding upon myself. She reminded me too that the time I was wasting in unavailing sorrow, ought to be otherwise employed; and these represen- tations made me summon all my fortitude to my aid. “ From what little I have read and heard upon these subjects,’ said Joanna, “it occurs to me that there is a particular class of solicitors who undertake criminal cases. Stay !—here is the news- paper !—perhaps it will assist us.” Thus speaking, the amiable young lady flew to the table—snatched up the journal which was lying there—and turning to those columns which contained the reports of the proceedings in the tribunals and police-offices, she ran her eyes over them. “Here!” she exclaimed: “we have what we want. This report speaks of an eminent solicitor :” —and she named him. “ Lose no time, my dear Rose—but proceed to this gentleman’s office at once. I will accompany you.” “ No—not for the world!” I exclaimed. “ You shall not, my dear cousin, be in any way mixed up or dragged into these distressing proceedings.” Joanna was overruled by my representations,— or rather by the firm assertion of my resolve upon the point; and we separated,—she departing in her own carriage, and I proceeding in mine to the offices of the solicitor whose name and address were indicated in the newspaper-report which had afforded the suggestion. Those offices were situ- ated in Newgate Street, City; and on arriving there, I had to wait until nearly six o’clock before the solicitor came in. I explained to him the dis- tressing purpose which had brought me thither ; and placing on his desk a bank-note for fifty pounds, besought him to spare no expense in con- ducting my unfortunate brother’s case. He at once gave me the assurance that everything should be done that circumstances would permit: but when he asked me for the details of the affair, I was utterly unable to afford them. Seeing how distressed I was, the solicitor kindly offered to go at once to the station-house and see my brother, in order to obtain from his own lips the particu- lars of the case. Ibegged him to do so—bade him take my carriage, which was waiting—and I would remain at the office until his return. He departed, and was about an hour absent. When he came back, he informed me that he had seen my brother, and had learnt that he was in custody on the charge of having forged and uttered a cheque for the sum of one thousand pounds, with the intention of de- frauding a banking firm at the West End of the town. It appeared that the name he had so forged, was that of a gentleman of property residing in Grosvenor Square, and with whom he had by some m.2ans or ancther got acquainted a short time back. Tho forgery was instantaneously detected at the bank ou the cheque being presented: no money be made the confidante of my afllictions. It was|was therefore paid upon the draft; and my —— ebook ——— 'Ycom =o *