Rosa Lambert — page 391: what you’re looking at

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

c E OP amr cs sn TEE Fe te EOE ns) EERE Oe mm RE 8 ERE Re OR ROSA LAMBERT, --- —_——- came tearing along at full gallop,—Iic king | up its heels, and thereby menacing those on the foot- path with serious peril. J shrank back in affright as the horse came careering close by me,—when with one bound the young gentleman threw him- self before me, ‘The animal kicked up mali- ciously ; and it was a miracle that his heels missed my gallant defender. If they had touched him he would most probably have lost his life, or else been very severely injured in his attempt to save me. ‘The animal was presently stopped by one of the park-keepers, and was remounted by its owner, who had fortunately escaped without any serious consequences from his fall. In the meantime, however, I had expressed my gratitude to the young gentleman; and he seemed overwhelmed with delight at the occurrence which had thus introduced us to each other. Now that I saw him close, I was even more than at first astonished at the resemblance which he bore to the deceased Ilderton; and as I felt that some explanation was requisite to account for the man- ner in which [ surveyed him, I said, ‘ Forgive me for contemplating you thus—but you remind me of one who is now no more.” , “And who may that be?” he inquired in a gentle voice, as if sympathising with me for the loss of any one whose image thus remained in my memory. “ He was Lord Ilderton,” I answered. “Is it possible that you can belong to that family ?” “No,” he replied; “I cannot boast of aristo- cratic connexions But, ah!” he suddenly eja- culated ; “ perhaps you are the lady ” and here he stopped short, as if fearful of giving me of- fence. I did not immediately answer him; but at length I said in a low voice, and with averted looks, ‘“‘ Yes—I am the same who was mentioned by the newspapers in connexion with that dreadful catastrophe.” “T read the account,’ observed the young gen- tleman: and then, after a few moments’ hesitation, he added, “I have the pleasure of speaking to Miss Lambert ?” “That is my name,” I answered. “Permit me,’ he immediately rejoined, “ to an- nounce my own name—which is Bentley. My father is a clergyman :”—and he named the metro- politan parish the incumbency of which his parent possessed. “There is a large family of us,’ he added: “but fortunately I am enabled to earn my own livelihood. In a word, I am private secretary to a foreign personage of distinction who is at pre- sent in this country on a diplomatic mission from his Sovereign.” We were walking slowly along as this conversa- tion took place ; and I had an opportunity of still further contemplating my new acquaintance. The longer [ thus surveyed him, the more was I im- pressed with his likeness to the deceased young nobleman. ‘here was something in his smile which irresistibly reminded me of Ilderton’s; and he had an equally beautiful set of teeth. I felt myself singularly interested in him,—the more so too that bis voice had a peculiar sweetness, though perfectly consistent with masculine harmony. We walked together for nearly an hour,—conversing on the principal topics of the day; and when I ntimated that L must take leave of him, he said, sca, tata camara Oe ET OT OLED LI LLL LOE LL _—---na-ssenascenesenseainssiibiescesiinaieaisa inn “May I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you’ soon again? Do you ever visit the Zoological Gardens ?” L confessed that I had not sufficient curiosity to do so; and he said, “Some curious specimens of natural history have recently been added to the collection. Would you consider it a liberty if I proposed to become your escort to-morrow, or any other day that will suit you?” I suffered him to understand that it was quite possible I might be in the Regent’s Park on the following day ; ; and we separatec d, ,—he with evident delight beaming upon his handsome countenance . As I retraced my way homeward, I said to myself, “Why have I encouraged an acquaintance with this young man? Hoe frankly informed me what his position is; and even if I sought a protector at this moment, I could not choose him. He has barely the means to keep himself; and therefore could not possibly maintain me. Besides, when- ever I do alter my mode of life, it will be to return to that luxurious splendour to which I have been more or less accustomed; and this change will probably take place soon—for [I am becoming daily more and niore wearied of the loneliness and monotony of my present existence.” Then again I asked myself why I had taken a fancy to that young man? But the response was easy: 16 was because he bore a striking resem- blance to Henry Ilderton. There was something too in his manner, as well as in the tones of his voice, which pleased me; and I found myself gra- dually settling into the resolution to keep the ap- pointment which he had made for the morrow. I did—and found Ferdinand Bentley waiting for me. Joy beamed upon his countenance as he hastily accosted me; and when I accepted his arm, he threw upon me a look so eloquent with mingled delight and gratitude, that I could not prevent my own regards from lingering for a few moments upon his countenance. We entered the gardens; and I found by his conversation that he was well read and naturally intellectual—but that his knowledge on the subjects of our discourse developed itself without the slightest study at effect on his part; so that on this point also did he remind me of Ilderton. I grew more and more pleased with my new acquaintance; and three hours passed away before I was aware that we had even been a single one together. On leaving the gardens, he asked if he might be permitted to escort me to my own door: I did not reply in the negative; and on reaching the house where I dwelt, he said, “ Will you think me intruding upon your kindness if I beseech another boon— the permission to call and pay my respects to ou P” “Your attentions to me,” I answered, “justify you in making the request, and forbid me to refuse it.” “ He pressed my hand with grateful fervour, and took his departure. In the afternoon of the fol- lowing day he called; and now our acquaintance became regularly established. For each succes- sive day during the next six weeks, we met—gene- rally to walk in the Park: but on a few occasions, when the weather was unpropitious, he called upon me at the house. I liked him much; and he became deeply enamoured of me. This L judged only by his looks and by his manner: for - — A LLL SE LI I LLL LY LL Eomilchbooks ' J