Rosa Lambert — page 270: what you’re looking at

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

EE A AT te BO Ey A LO LLP GP Hie LD Boe fe Be A LIE A) Ag — ROSA LAMBERT. 259 self and for me. That gentleman whom you saw at the gate, is Mr. Alvanly, a Member of Parlia- ment; and I have known him for a long time :”— but I did not choose to add that I had been his mistress: indeed I knew very well that it was Felix Wellesley’s idea I was first seduced by Cap- tain Beaumont himself. “But could you not have contented yourself,” he asked in a voice of mournful reproach, “ with merely acknowledging Mr, Alvanly’s salutation P Or you might have come straight back into the house v4 « And wherefore should I not converse for a few minutes with an acquaintance? Really, Felix,” I continued, now growing somewhat angry, “I am ashamed of you. Pray let not such a scene as this occur again.” | ‘Tt is rather for me, Rose,” rejoined Felix, “to make such a request :’”—and it actually struck me for the moment that he was struggling to keep back the tears which had risen to the brims of his eyes. ve Come now, let us be good friends !” I said, unable to carry my remonstrances any farther; ‘and as it is a beautiful day, we will go out on horseback together.” Felix evidently fancied he had carried the point, and that I should never again stand conversing alone for ten minutes with any male acquaintance. | His looks brightened up: he gave the necessary orders to the groom; and I ascended to my dressing-chamber to put on my riding-habit. This riding-habit fitted me exquisitely; and by setting tight to my bust, displayed the full, rounded, well-developed richness of its contours.’ It became me to the highest advantage; and when I had on my plumed hat, and contemplated myself in the glass, I felt that I had reason to be proud of my beauty, both of face and figure. Being apparelled, I descended the stairs, followed by my maid, who invariably attended to adjust the folds of my riding-habit when I was mounted. Felix was waiting for me in the hall; and the groom was holding the horses near the steps of the front door, which stood open. Carried away by irrepressible enthusiasm, and utterly oblivious of the fact that we were seen by both domestics, Wellesley sprang forward; and exclaiming, “Sweetest Rose, how ravishing you look!” he threw his arms round my waist and strained me to his breast. “How stupid!” I ejaculated, forcibly disen- gaging myself: for I instantaneously beheld a passing smile on the lips of the groom, although the next moment he with becoming discretion averted his head as if he had seen nothing. My countenance was crimson ; and in my confusion looking back, I saw my maid also pretending to gaze in another direction. I felt so truly ridicu- lous—so awkward and embarrassed, and at the same time so angry, that I knew not what to do. To add to my confusion, Felix—instead of having the good tact to turn off his proceeding in a jocular manner — stood in the middle of the hall, the very picture of dismay and affliction at the vehemence of my ejaculation and at the abruptness with which I had shaken him off. “Come,” I said petulantly, “and assist me to mount.” “T think, Rose, we had better stay at home,” he dolefully answered. “Nonsense!” was the angry whisper which issued from my lips. ‘For heaven’s sake do not render me more ridiculous than you have already done in the presence of the servants.” Without another word—but bending upon me a look of melancholy reproach—Felix assisted me to mount my horse; and we sallied forth, followed by the groom. “Shall we ride out into the country?” asked Wellesley: “for I wish to speak to you very pars ticularly. Iam afraid you are offended—I shall not be happy till I hear from your lips that you love me as much as ever.” “Love! love!” I muttered to myself: “it is nothing but love !—sickening and nauseating to a degree !’’—and I really felt ineffably disgusted. What are you saying, Rose?” asked Felix. ‘I was observing,’ was my response, as I en- deavoured to compose my looks, “that I would rather ride to the Park and see the company.” ** Always a preference for the Park !” exclaimed Wellesley: “and we cannot talk there, I would much rather 7 I did not give him an opportunity to finish his sentence: but urging my horse into a smart canter, took the direction of Hyde Park,—he being of course compelled to accompany me. eo ) CHAPTER XXXIV. THE CAPTAIN AND THE LORD. As we entered the Park, I was struck by the appearance of a magnificent horse, which a young officer, in the undress uniform of the Guards, was riding. I have already said that I was fond of admiring beautiful horses; and perhaps I kept my eyes fixed upon this one with a somewhat marked attention. But it was only the animal I was thus contemplating, and not the rider: though he him- self was by no means an object deserving of indif- ference, for he was one of the handsomest young men I had ever seen in my life. ‘Rose, what are you doing?” were the words which suddenly fell upon my ear: and glancing around, I perceived that the countenance of Felix expressed the saddest reproach. “{ was admiring that beautiful horse,” was my answer coldly given. “Come, let us ride on!” said Wellesley: and now it was his turn to urge his steed forward and force me to accompany him. When at some distance we reined in our animals again, Felix said, “ Really, my dear Rose, that officer must have fancied that you were looking very hard at him—and he began to stare so impudently.” “Then you were observing him far more atten- tively than I was,’ I said: “for all my interest was concentrated on his horse.” At this moment a carriage came dashing on from behind so quickly that my steed began to prance and caper about; and though an excellent horse- woman, I had some trouble to keep my seat. Scarcely had I managed to pacify the animal, when a party of half-a-dozen ladies and gentlemen, also coming from behind, galloped past: my horse — again became restive—and the next moment I was CORNIEDOOKS (CO)