Rosa Lambert — page 354: what you’re looking at

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

ROSA LAMBERT. now at an end between yourself and Arthur Brydges !” “TI know it,’ I said: pang shot through my heart. him id and an excruciating “But will you tell “T must,” he responded, anticipating the ques- | abruptly demanded: and I saw that there would tion I was about to put. I endeavoured to give utterance to an entreaty that he would remain silent in respect to my con- dition—but the words stuck in my throat: I could not speak them. “It is not my intention,” resumed Mr. Morris, “to state to my old friend Sir James Thornley that I had any previous knowledge of you: and judging from your own manner throughout the evening, I presume that it suits you to be equally silent? He has engaged me to pass a week with him: I cannot for courtesy’s sake immediately | | fiercely. hurry off—but on the other hand I could not endure to remain all that time beneath this roof where you dwell in so false a position. I shall therefore limit my sojourn at Albion House to a couple of days: and throughout this interval we will not renew the painful topic on which we have been speaking.” Mr. Morris kept his word; and during the two days which he remained at the house, not another syllable was breathed that could more bitterly revive my grief for the past than his own presence had the effect of doing. He departed: I scarcely know what pretext he made to the Baronet for thus materially abridging his visit: but I was much relieved when he was gone. I shall not now pause to moralize upon all “the painful reflections which that interview in the drawing-room excited in my mind: suffice it to say that whatsoever I did think and-feel, was no mean part of the punishment which it was my destiny to endure | even in this world for the sins of my life. CHAPTER XLVI. NEW ACQUAINTANCE. THROUGH gluttonous living and frequent excess in drinking, Sir James Thornley brought ona fierce attack of his bilious complaint ; and having been obliged to keep his bed for a week, he at length descended to the drawing-room in such an exe- crable humour that I felt if it did not speedily change there would be a violent quarrel between us. “Hyersthing that was said or done by myself for any of the domestics was sure to be wrong: nothing satisfied him—nothing could conciliate him.. I submitted to this ill-temper on his part for a few days, —remaining with him almost con- stantly to minister to his comforts so far as he would permit me: but at last, as he appeared entirely thankless, I thought I Woutd leave him to himseif for Several hours in the hope that on my return he would all the better appreciate my com- panionship. I accordingly took the carriage one morning soon after breakfast, and went across to Ryde. There I remained until four in the afternoon,— partaking of refreshments at an hotel, and amus- iny iyself with walking on the pier and the sea- a a a a — 343 shore. When [I returned to Albion Biase and had changed my apparel, I proceeded to the drawing- room with an air as calm as if J had done nothing unusual. The old Baronet was seated on the sofa —his countenance grim and ominous. “Where have you been all this time?” he be a scene. “To Ryde,” I answered,—* where I have passed a few. hours very pleasantly.” “ And you leave me here all alone by myseli— illas I am?” he cried, his rage boiling up. “You were so much better this morning that I thought I could safely leave you,” I answered. ** Besides, when I am. here, whatever I strive to do for your comfort is always wrong—always unsatis- factory | “ Because you do nothing right!” he retorted “That must be through my awkwardness,” I answered,—“ but not through any wilful neglect or indifference on my part, T can assure you.” “How do I know that?” he savagely de- -manded. 93 “ Because I tell you so,” was wy rejoinder. ** Well, it’s false, then!” he vociferated. ‘‘ You neglect me scandalously—you treat me infamously you——you te “Tf you are dissatisfied,” I said, “we « Dissatisfied !—what the devil have I got to make me satisfied ?” he exclaimed, * At all events,’ I said, still speaking in a tone that was mildly firm, “1 do my best to please you 93 | —-and L can do no more.”’ ** You don’t do your best!” he cried, having now worked himself up to perfect fury: and seizing bis gvold-headed cane, he struck me a sudden blow across my bare shoulder. I turned quickly round upon him, my eyes flashing and my countenance crimsoning with in- dignation. ~The stick fell from his hand: his naturally sallow complexion turned of a ghastly whiteness—-he quivered from head to foot, and gazed up at me in a half-afirighted, half-deprecating _manner. “This is the first time that I ever received a dastard blow from the hand of a man—and it is assuredly the last that yours shall ever deal me. I leave you, sir!’—and having spoken in the coldly severe tone of a deep concentrated inward rage, I turned to quit the apartment. “* Rose, "Tan heaven’s sake do not leave me!” eried Sir es, in accents of despair. “I will go upon my ‘knees to beseech your pardon ! ! You ought to make allowances for me—it is the pain of illness that renders me so irritable ‘is “Look what you have done!” I said, turning my shoulder towards him: for a glance in the ‘mirror had shown me a long red mark all across the transparent whiteness of my skin. “T will cover it with a thousand-guinea shawl to-morrow!” exclaimed the nabob. “ Pray—I beseech you—do not leave me, Rose—do not!” “Never mind the shawl, Sir James,” I said: “put will you faithfully and solemnly promise that such a disgraceful scene as this shall never be re- newed ?” ‘“Solemnly I pledge myself,” he replied. “ Pray, dear Rose, forgive me! You cannot imagine how distressed and humiliated I feel. I would. give EORMICOOOKS.C© ed