Rosa Lambert — page 67: what you’re looking at

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

——e A LL LL TT TS eo RR A by his side in the vehicle, and observed that it turned into Piccadiliy, along which it proceeded in the direction of Kensington,—“ perhaps you will at length tell me whither we are going: for as yet, you must recollect, I am in total ignorance of our place of destination.” “ Be satisfied, Rose,’ he answered, “ with the certainty that you will enjoy yourself. I am about ‘to conduct you to a splendid mansion, with charm- ing grounds attached; and as it is fortunately a lovely June evening, the masques will not confine themselves to the heated saloons, but will rove about the gardens and shrubberies.” “Tt is a private ball, then?” I said, interroga- tively. “To be sure—a private one!” he exclaimed. “Did you for a moment think otherwise P” “l aid,” was my answer: then after a brief pause, and with some little hesitation, I said, “‘ But how, Gustavus, are you enabled to introduce me to | a private mansion, without the risk of compro- mising yourself—perhaps also compromising me P” “Make yourself easy, my dear Rose, on this head,” he rejoined. “I was honoured with a card of invitation for two. Frankly speaking, I have no doubt it was a mistake on the part of whomso- ever the card was written by, when it was worded for Ur. and Mrs. Aluanly: because the lady of the house—for she is a widow, and a somewhat antiquated one too—knows perfectly well that I am not married. It was therefore an error, no doubt occasioned by the hurry in issuing some thousand or twelve hundred invitations; and, as you perceive, I have profited by it to afford you this recreation.” “ But, Gustavus,’ I interjected, with some little degree of uneasiness, “ suppose the error should be recollected when you present the card n “ Banish all misgivings,’ he at once replied: “for you must of necessity comprehend that there is no announcement of each successive arrival’s mame: or else it would destroy the zncognito which the masqued costumes are intended for us tc preserve—and the disguises would of course be unavailing.” “T understand,” I said, now completely relieved. “It is to be a ball, then, on a very grand scale P” “Such is the report,” answered Gustavus. “ Do not suffer yourself to be dazzled or bewildered by the brilliancy of the scene—appear quite at home —conduct yourself -as if perfectly accustomed to such entertainments—and all will be well. No doubt you will have to dance—as I also must do; and therefore we may be separated for a consider- able part of the evening.” In such conversation as this about half-an-hour was whiled away until the carriage drove into the grounds, in the midst of which stood the mansion that was our destination. A train of equipages, forming a long line, was passing in at one gate, setting down at the grand entrance, and passing out of another gate. What with the lamps of the carriages, of the gateways, and of the portico, as well as with the flood of lustre that glowed forth from the hall, the immense portals of which stood wide open, it was a perfect blaze of hight. MMvery window too shone as if the interior of the dwelling itvelf were in a conflagration. Numerous domes- tics, in gorgeous liveries, were in attendance on the steps, the threshold, and within the hall; and 56 ROSA LAMBERT. fee utmost order was preserved, as well as an extraordinary despatch exhibited, in the setting. down of the company. Gustavus assisted me to alight: we passed into the hall, where a domestic in plain clothes—the only one so apparelled, and therefore most probably the steward or butler— received the card which he presented. Only just glancing at it, the man dropped it into a basket behind him; and Mr. Alvanly led me towards the staircase, which was brilliantly lighted with lamps, and artistically arranged with evergreens afd flowers that formed an embowering avenue of ver- dure intermixed with floral beauties. A perfect tide of human beings—ladies and gentlemen, dis- playing every conceivable variety of costume, be- longing to all climes and all ages—was pouring up this staircase, which was so wide as to allow, if necessary, four persons to walk abreast with the | greatest ease. We reached a landing embellished with some exquisite pieces of sculpture—also decorated with evergreens and flowers; and on the opposite side of which from the staircase, the unfolded gilded | portals afforded a view of an immense saloon. Into this sumptuously furnished apartment we proceeded; and on one side, near the entrance, I beheld an elderly lady, very thin and very ugly, but dressed in the most elegant manner—indeed, far too elegant for one of her years and withered appearance. She wore no mask—nor was it a fancy costume which she had on; and therefore L at once concluded that she was the mistress of the house. Besides, I observed that the guests, as they entered, passed round by where she stood, and paid their respects to this lady. I however put the whispered question to Gustavus, whether my conjecture was right, that she was the mistress of the mansion P * * Yes, Rose,” he answered. “ Don’t start, now —don’t utter any ejaculation at what I am going to say——That lady is the Marchioness of Sud- bury.” I was astonished: nay, more—astounded : for I had heard that the Marchioness of Sudbury was a sister of the Earl of Eveleigh. No doubt Gus- tavus felt that a sort of electric thrill swept through me as I leant upon his arm: for he quickly ob- served, “Be cautious, Rose. No emotion, 1 con- jure you!” I had not time to make any remark, nor put another question, ere we stood in the presence of the Marchioness of Sudbury, and made our bows, which she very graciously acknowledged,—observ- ing in language adapted to the occasion, “ Wel- come, gallant Sir Walter Raleigh: for your appearance tells me that you are that personifica- tion of chivalrous politeness whom I have named. And you too, Lady of Seville,” she added, now addressing herself to me, “welcome also. You come from your warm Andalusian clime to brighten and embellish our colder and more northern region.” We bowed again, and passed on. The saloon led to other apartments, all flooded with lustre— all sumptuously furnished, and decorated with evergreens and garlands. There were vases, too, which exhaled a delicious perfume—not over- powering in its fragrance, but imparting a fresh- ness to the atmosphere, which otherwise would have been too heated, notwithstanding the pree comicbooks.co vot se + AL gat UP ote ~~ - = / a i