Rosa Lambert — page 271: what you’re looking at

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

a ee ee ee Fe FG URE? AOE TT BOSS MRIS Pe Mm EM he te Nm hw 260 oo — thrown. In an instant one of those riders brought his animal to a halt, and sprang off at the same time that Wellesley did from his own steed. But the former was beforehand with Felix: he raised me up—and I recognised the young officer whose magnificent animal I had admired. “T hope to God you are not hurt!” he said. “Oh, no, I thank ‘you,’ was my response, “Nothing seriously :”—and I began brushing off the dirt from my riding-habit, while Wellesley pressed hastily forward, so that I am convinced he would have snatched me from the arms of the young officer if I had not in the first moment disengaged myself thence. “T am afraid,” said the Guardsman, “ that the party whom I have just joined were galloping past at such a rate that it frightened your horse, All our apologies are your due.” I expressed a suitable acknowledgment. Wel- lesley also thanked the young officer for his atten- tion—but in a manner as if he meant to imply there was no farther need for him to linger on the spot. This the officer did not or would not perceive; and he said, “ After an accident which might have been so serious, and in the cause of which I am more or less implicated, I shall feel very uneasy unless permitted to call to-morrow and inquire bow you are.” “You are very good,” I answered: and Wel- lesley, utterly unable to repel so much politeness by means of an act of discourtesy, was constrained to give his card to the officer.—who thereupon bowed, remounted his horse, and joined his party which had halted at a very little distance. “ Assist me up again into the saddle,” I said to Felix. “I feel no effects from the fall.” “Do you really think you can ride home ?” he inquired, with the deepest concern depicted on his countenance. “Oh, yes!” I exclaimed, smiling: “it is really nothing.” Nevertheless, when I was again in the saddle, I experienced certain pains in the back; and though it was my original intention to persevere in making the circuit of the Park, I yielded to Wellesley’s entreaties; and we retraced our way homeward. For the remainder of the day I was compelled to recline upon the sofa: but I would not have medical assistance, although Felix begged and implored that a physician should be sent for. “ Of course,” he said, on the following morning, as we were seated at breakfast—for I had per- sisted in getting up, although somewhat stiff and suffering trom the bruises I had received,— when that officer calls, as L suppose he will, the servant will be instructed to deliver him a message at the door.” “Flow can you think of such a thing?” I exclaimed. ‘ His attentions were most courteous; and it would be the height of rudeness to deny him admission.” At this instant the parlour-door opened; and the man-servant entered, saying, “If you please, rnw’am, Lord Alfreton, hearing that you had ex- perienced an accident, sent last evening to make inquiries ; and his lordship has just sent again this morning.” ‘Lord Alfreton?’ I exclaimed in unfeigned wonder: for I had never heard of him before. St ee el LOL ALLEL Ey LOLOL OE A OA, IL LLL i, 2 eee Oe ee ROSA LAMBERT. “Oh, yes,” said Felix;—‘the old gentleman that we have noticed in the garden opposite. That is his villa,” “ Indeed,” I said: for though we had now been several weeks in our present residence, I had never experienced the curiosity to inquire who our oppo- site neighbour was: then turning to the domestic, I added, “Our compliments to his lordship—we thank him for his polite inquiries—and I am ex- periencing no yery serious inconyenience from tho accident,” I was however unable to go out, and lay down upon the sofa. I begged Felix to take some sort of exercise, either riding or walking: but he would not listen to it, and persisted in remaining with me. Being slightly indisposed, I was in that mood when I would rather have remained altogether quiet: but he sat close by my side, toying with my hair, pressing my hands in his own, kissing me every minute, and asking me every five minutes, ** How do you feel now ?” All this was kind and well-meant enough: but it was not the less teasing and wearisome. Thus the morning dragged itself slowly away ; and when the afternoon came, I saw that Felix grew fidgetty and uneasy ; and every time he heard the garden- gate open he looked anxiously in that direction, I knew what was passing in his mind: but I did not choose to notice it. Indeed, I felt hurt, and almost indignant to think that the courtesy of the young officer should prove a source of jealous vexa- tion and annoyance to my protector. At length came the moment so much dreaded by him; for an elegant phaecton, drawn by a beautiful pair of horses, and attended by two well-appointed do- mestics, drove up to the gate. The officer, who was now in plain clothes, leaped forth; and as Felix was seated close by the side of the sofa on which I reclined, I said, “‘ Pray move to a little distance—or it will seem so strange!” The usual look of sorrowful reproach was bent upon me: but my suggestion was nevertheless . complied with; and the room-door being thrown open, the servant announced, “ Captain Syden- ham.” I raised myself to a sitting posture, and was about to rise altogether,—when Captain Sydenham, hastening forward, besought me to retain my seat, —adding, “I was fearful that you would to-day experience the effects of your fall—and I see that my misgivings are confirmed.” “T can assure you,” I answered, “I suffer much less than might have been anticipated: but I thank you for your attentions of yesterday and the interest you have shown.” “Oh no, not at all!” responded Sydenham: “for I painfully feel that I was more or less to blame :”—then turning to Wellesley, he began dis- coursing with well-bred ease on some leading topic of the day. He remained about a quarter of an hour; and when he took his departure, it was with a half-implied request that now he had the honour of our acquaintance, we would permit him to call again. The answer which Wellesley gave, was only distantly polite, and certainly not cordial ; and this yery circumstance struck me as being so ungrateful a return for Captain Sydenham’s at- tention, that I spoke out somewhat more en- couragingly to the young officer as he took his leave. ———- =———ses Eomilicboo (ele)