Rosa Lambert — page 363: what you’re looking at

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

ee ee ae ee ee — * No—it matters not, dear Rose,” rejoined Ilder- | I do! - ton: “for the time is close at hand when you will be released from all tyranny and espial. Perhaps however, under existing circumstances, it were better that I should abridge my present visit,” “‘Yes—for your sake,” I answered; “ because everything must be done to save your own name from being associated with mine in the island.” The young nobleman rose to depart; and he embraced me affectionately. But still he could not immediately tear himself away; and with his arm thrown round my waist, we stood recapitu- lating our plans for the day when we were to meet at Southampton. “Ah! dearest Rose,” he said, “how happy shall I be when the hour comes which is to make you entirely mine !” He gazed lovingly upon my countenance: he toyed with the long tresses that hung down upon my shoulders and neck: he spoke in such raptures of my beauty, that though I was by no means averse to complimentary language of this kind, the fervour of his words nevertheless made my cheeks glow with blushes. He embraced me again and again,—continuing to lavish the ten- derest epithets upon me, and proving by his looks all the sincerity of his glowing language. “Yes, you are indeed beautiful—most beautiful, dearest Rose!” he said, his arm still clasping my waist ; “ and never should such an one as you have surrendered yourself to the tyrannous irritability and the dotard caprices of a man like Sir James Thornley !” At this moment we heard a sound behind us; and locking back simultaneously, whom should we behold but the nabob himself? He had stole noiselessly into the room, and had reached the middle of it before we thus became aware of his presence. My first impression was that his coun- tenance seemed convulsed with rage: but I scarcely knew what next to think when he ad- vanced towards me with quite a different aspect, and said in a voice that seemed to be full of sad- ness, “So you have made up your mind to leave me, Rose P’”’ “ Yes, Sir James Thornley,” I answered : “it is the truth—and therefore useless to deny it.” “Tt is indeed useless to deny it,” he said, still with that air of mournfulness: “for I have over- heard sufficient of your discourse to make me aware that three days hence you intend to with- draw from my house and accept the protection of Lord Ilderton. Well, if it will conduce to your happiness, I have no right—as I am also aware that I have no power—to throw any obstacle in your way. My lord,” he added, now addressing himself with the utmost urbanity to Ilderton, “I bear you no ill will: you have only done that which young men in your position will do, and which an old man in mine ought to expect. I for- give you the somewhat harsh expressions you made use of concerning me just now. Perhaps I deserve them—perhaps my conduct has been at times cruel and severe towards Lose 4 “ But now, Sir James Thornley,” exclaimed the young nobleman, “ your conduct is so magnanimous that Lam sure Rose, in the natural generosity of her own heart, will take it as an atonement for all the past.” “1. do, Sir James,” I cried: “rest assured that Ce eee wo SO CEN EED PST ee a a ROSA LAMBERT, ~—-— ——~——— most noble—under existing circumstances |” “Say not another word,” responded the old nabob: and methought he spoke in a voice that was tremulous with his stirred-up feelings, “TI will tell you candidly that an anonymous letter which reached me the day before yesterday raised my suspicions: and though I did not choose to act decisively upon an unsigned document, yet I could not altogether disregard it. I feigned the neces- sity of a journey in order that I might have an opportunity of setting all doubt at rest one way or the other. You were seen in Newport this morn- ing, Lord Ilderton; and you were watched when on your way to Albion House. Zhen my sus- picions were confirmed; and I now stand before you to repeat what I ere now said—that Rose has a right to study her own happiness, even though the course she may adopt be but little regardful of mine.” ‘ After the generous manner in which you have spoken, Sir James,” observed Lord Ilderton, who was considerably affected by the nabob’s conduct— as I likewise was,—and both of us perhaps were even more amazed than affected—I consider it my duty to apologize for the expressions I used concerning you, as well as for my intrusion into your house 1 “Make no apology, my lord,” at once replied the Baronet. ‘The expressions are already for- given; and with regard to the latter point, so long as Rose is mistress here she has a right to receive whomsoever she thought fit. Frankly and candidly do I repeat that I harbour no ill will towards either of you. Do you require a proof of my sincerity? I will give you the best that can possibly be afforded. Rose,’ he continued, now specially addressing himself to me, “I hope you will continue to make this house your home until the day when, according to previous arrangement, you are to join his lordship at Southampton. You shall remain the entire mistress of your actions; and it will be simply as friends that for this short space we shall live together beneath the same roof. This is the evidence of my good feeling which lL offer.” “ And in the same spirit,” exclaimed Iderton, “Tam confident that Rose will accept your gene- rous proposition.” I felt that it would be most ungracious, churlish, and rude not to speak in a similar strain; and in- deed I was so much moved by the nabob’s conduct that my conscience smote me for having proved already unfaithful to him, and for having meditated a stealthy flight from Albion House. Besides, it struck me in a moment that with the present amicable state of feeling I should not experience the slightest difficulty in taking away with me, when the day came, all the costly gifts bestowed by Sir James Thornley, and which though in so short a time amounted (including my own re-purchased jewels) to nearly two thousand pounds. My assent to the nabob’s proposal being accordingly expressed, Lord Ilderton at once took his departure: for he naturally felt that it would be indelicate for him to remain any longer beneath that roof; and he moreover gave me an intimation at parting that I should not see him again until we met at South- ampton, When he had left the room, I expected that Six Your behaviour is indeed most generous— + (ECO AMIE ,OO (ele)