Rosa Lambert — page 369: what you’re looking at

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358 which the dastard Sir James stripped you, | my “reader knows, left Albion House with only the dear Rose,’ observed Uderton, “do not trouble | plain apparel that [ had on me at the time, I[lder- ROSA LAMBERT. yourself on that account: for money will speedily | ton was desirous to lavish upon me a quantity of purchase fresh caskets and replenish deficient | costly jewellery: but I bade him wait the issue of wardrobes; and though I may not be so rich as your late tyrant, I have nevertheless ample means to accomplish all that is needful.” “But really, my dear Henxy,” I answered, as we sat thus discoursing after dinner at the hotel at Southampton where we met, “I do not feel at all disposed to suffer Sir James Thornley to triumph over me even so far as to retain those things which aro legitimately my own property. There are some few articles, indeed, for which I am not indebted to him at all; and it is nothing short of downright robbery for him to keep them. Besides, I gave him to understand when we left him bound in the garden, that my vengeance would not stop there ct “Then what do you purpose doing ?” inquired Ilderton, surveying me with some degree of sur- rise. fe I wish you would gratify a little whim that I have taken into my head?” I answered: and then the project which I hadin hand. He nevertheless insisted on making me somo presents: and alto. gether proved that he was of a most liberal, as well as kind, good-tempered, and gay. disposition. Amongst my purchases, gentle reader, I must not, omit to mention that there was an elegant pair of patent-leather Wellington boots, which I repre- sented at the shop that I required for riding. I also bought a handsome dark brown wig, of a masculine character, and with ringlets of a tolerable length—but not more extraordinary than any ex- quisite of the present day might very well display. In a word, I provided myself with everything requisite for a complete male disguisé; and that, nothing might be deficient for this purpose, Ider- ton procured a pair of false moustaches,—as a matter of course representing that they were for, his own special use. | The suit of clothes and the cards were duly sent in at the time promised; and after a sojourn of I proceeded to explain to him the project I had | only three days at the Southampton Hotel, we formed. ) “You harum-scarum creature!” he exclaimed, rather delighted than otherwise with the scheme : “it would indeed be an admirable method of punishing the treacherous, spiteful old fellow: but do you think you can carry it out P” “Put me to the test, my dear Henry,” I an- swered, “and you shall see whether we will not have a hearty laugh over the result.” “ Be it so!” he cried: and he at once rang the bell to summon the waiter. When the domestic made his appearance, Ilder- ton said, “Go and fetch me the best tailor of whom Southampton ean boast; and likewise order a card-plate engraver to wait upon me in the course of the evening.” The waiter retired; and in about a.quarter of an hour the tailor was introduced to the room where we were seated. Bowing and scraping, he produced his book of patterns—took forth his measure—and was advancing to receive Ilderton’s orders, when the latter said, “It is not for myself —it is for this lady you are to make a complete suit in your best possible style. Frock-coat— waistcoat—and pantaloons: charge your own prices —but let the work be done as speedily as possible. It is for a masquerade that the costume is re- quired.” . The tailor had at first stared in amazement, and had seemed to fancy that he was being made the victim of some joke: but perceiving that Lord Iiderton was perfectly serious—and encouraged moreover by the promise of hberal payment—he proceeded to take my measure. ‘This being com- pieted, he pledged himself that the suit should be sent home in the evening of the second day from thence. He had not long taken his departure, when the card-plate printer was announced; and he received instructions to print some cards, with the name of “Lieutenant Frederick Lambert, 16th Light Dragoons:”’—and these were also to be completed with as little delay as possible. On the following day we passed the greater portion of the time in shopping: for I had a quantity of things to purchase,—haying, as the | passed over to Cowes. Thence we proceeded in the evening to Newport,—where we took up our quarters as plain “ Mr. and Mrs, Jameson” at a second-rate hote],—the faithful Thomas being duly instructed to maintain an incognito, and not to show himself in the town, for fear of being recog- nised by any of Sir James Thornley’s house-, hold. On the following morning, after breakfast, I began to apparel myself in my masculine garb. The boots fitted admirably: the pantaloons were made as faultlessly as if they had emanated from a shop in Bond Street; and the natural straightness of my limbs set them off, I flatter myself, with the most perfect effect. Ilderton’s portmanteau supplied me with linen suitable for my metamor- phosis : but we had a long argument as to whether the frock coat ought to be buttoned or left open, so as to be best calculated to conceal those con- tours of the bust the voluptuous swell of which no possible compression could sufficiently reduce. Ultimately 1t was decided that I should wear the frock open: but the argument produced a great deal of good-humoured merriment. Ilderton him- self fixed the moustache above my upper lip; and then came the process of doing up my hair in such a way that the peruke would appear to fit natu- rally: but. this was no easy task, on account of the luxuriance and length of that hair of mine. How- ever, it was ultimately managed to our satisfaction ; and a hat with somewhat broad brims, which I had procured, completed that portion of the toilet. Lt put on a pair of buckskin gloves, and took a horsewhip in my hand—then gave one last glance at the mirror, and was immensely satisfied with my appearance. ae “You look admirable, my dear Rose!” ex- claimed Ilderton, surveying me in raptures. “On my word, you have quite a military bearing; and that glossy moustache so delicately curled at the tips makes you seem quite haughty and fierce. Hold your head well up—render your voice as masculine as you can—and if you could manage to rap out an oath or two, it would all the better serye your purpose.” | | Eomicbooks ; : :