Rosa Lambert — page 366: what you’re looking at

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

ROSA LAMBERT. ee a a A a Ra I aa Se RR solve is irrefragably taken. Rest assured I shall play my part so well that the young sprig of aris- tocracy will put implicit faith in every syllable I utter. I know that he is deeply infatuated with you you see that I did not listen ineffectually for half-an-hour just now at the drawing-room door before I stole in upon you. Yes—he is in- fatuated ; and he will deplore the resolve which he will believe you to have taken, I shall then assume a benevolent and friendly demeanour, and recommend a Continental travel for six months or so in order to diyert his mind from this passion which he has conceived. Now, Rosa Lambert,” added the nabob, “‘ you comprehend what I pur- pose to do; and when you learn that your lover has left the country—or at all events that he has gone you know not whither—you will perhaps throw yourself at my feet and implore me to renew that protection which Lord Ilderton will believe to have been already re-established.” “ You think so, Sir James ?” I said, scornfully : * you will find yourself bitterly mistaken !” © Ah! but do not think for a single moment,” exclaimed the vindictive old man, ‘‘that if you were thus to go upen your knees, I should forgive you. Never! I shall keep you here until all trace of your paramour is lost ; and then I shall eject you, penniless as you were on the day that I brought you to this house.” Having thus spoken, and flinging upon me a terribly malignant look, the Baronet moved to- wards the door, against which his valet had been leaning throughout the scene just described. I advanced towards them both; and I said in a firm yoice, “I demand my freedom! Recollect, you are amenable to the law for detaining me here a prisoner !” The valet looked perfectly unconcerned: the nabob only smiled ironically ; and they both passed forth from the landing,—the valet showing by his manner as.he opened the door, that he was deter- mined to resist any attempt on my part to force an egress. But I had no idea of making such an endeayour: I knew perfectly well that even if I succeeded i in bursting past him, there would be the females who had already coerced me, again in readiness to bring me back to my prison-place. When I was once more alone, I sate down to reflect. That Ilderton would be deceived by the diaboiically specious proceeding of the old nabob, was to be calculated upon: for it was far Fon likely that he would suspect the treachery or be struck with the idea that I was actually under coercion. He would naturally fancy that if Sir James Thornley’s tale were not true to the very letter, I should keep the appointment at the hotel at Southampton. Then, if Ilderton once took his departure either for the Continent or elsewhere, how could I possibly run after him without the means of travelling— without any pecuniary re- sources whatsoeyer? And even if possessed of money, how should I be enabled to get upon his track? I could not inquire concerning him at his aunt’s af Ryde, nor at his father’s mansion in Lon- don. Indeed, I foresaw that altogether I should be placed in a most painful predicament—penni- less, and without a protector ! This was the worst side: of the picture: but on the other hand, if I could possibly escape from Albion House before the hour appointed for our e rr meeting at Southampton, the tables would be com- pletely turned on Sir James Thornley, and his odious stratagem would be utterly discomfited. But how to escape? That wasthe question. The mansion was high—the laundry was on the upper- most floor—and a descent from one of the windows, even if I could find rope sufficient, would be scarcely possible. If from these windows I cried out for assistance, my voice would possibly be only heard by those who were devoted to the nabob’s interests; and the result might be to subject me to even a more cruel restraint than that whichl . already experienced. now. depended! Yet on escape everything I paced to and fro in the laundry, pondering all these things,—when suddenly the recollection of the groom Thomas flashed to my mind. That he had borne correspondence between Ilderton and myself on this particular day, was known to the nabob, I felt convinced,—inasmuch as the young nobleman had been watched in Newport by the valet. Had Thomas been discharged summarily ? If so, he would be almost certain to repair to Ryde and communicate the fact to Lord Ilderton, who would thence be led to suspect that the Baronet’s “good feeling” was not quite so sincere as he had represented it. But then, on the other hand, had Thomas been pardoned? and was he now bribed over to his master’s interest P This did appear to be most probable: for Sir James Thornley was evidently conducting his proceedings with the most astute caution and with the keenest fore- sight. | IT knew not how to act, and scarcely what to think. The posse of female-servants presently entered,—one of them bearing a tray containing some bread and cold meat, with water to drink ; and this was the dinner now served up to one eho had been accustomed, beneath that roof, to preside daily at a sumptuously covered table! For the meagreness of the fare I however cared nothing: I had no inclination for food; and if the choicest ‘luxuries had been placed before me, F should scarcely have touched them. To be brief, I went to bed that night in no very agreeable state of mind; aud when I awoke in the morning, I could scarcely believe that it was otherwise than a dream. “To-morrow is the bridal-day of Ilderton’s sister,’ I presently said to myself, when I had to a certain extent collected my thoughts; “and the day after to-morrow is the one fixed for our meet- ing at Southampton. Will the appointment be kept by me?—or will the vile old nabob go in my stead? The only chance for me to outwit him is in escape !” The posse of female-servants entered to bring me my breakfast,—consisting of some cold milk and some bread; and they retired, securing the door behind fons: It was beautiful weather, being in the middle of May; and I opened all the windows to enjoy the freshness and fragrance of the atmosphere. How I longed for freedom! I could see from these windows the lane where I had been accustomed to meet Ilderton; and I could not help wishing that I was now seated on my horse and cantering along that shady path. Pre- sently I beheld the old nabob in the back-garden: I did not choose to withdraw from the window: he looked up—and I fancy that on espying me, an Go 6)(0)(0) <S