Rosa Lambert — page 77: what you’re looking at

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

i} ee a a patch up his fallen fortunes by a matrimonial alliance, and by the beauty of his person captivate the heart of some heiress more love-sick than pru- dent, I would watch all his proceedings, and I would do my best to mar their ultimate triumph. But to resume the thread of my narrative. Mr. Alvanly, on taking his departure after breakfast, had informed me that it was possible he might not be able to come and dine with me in the even- ing, as he had some business demanding his atten- tion; but that he should certainly arrive at dessert-time, so that in a glass of champagne together our little differences might be cleared up. Of this however I was by no means sosure. His conduct towards me rankled in my breast. He had given way to jealousy when all the time I was innocent :and though perhaps there had been some little grounds, inasmuch as I had concealed from him those very visits which had excited the feeling,—still I was vexed and piqued that when everything was cleared up, he had not put faith im my constancy, but had taken a vast deal of trouble to create an irreparable breach between myself and Lord Eveleigh. I dwelt with a growing invete- racy upon every detail of my protector’s conduct ; and I remembered the foul treachery with which, by means of drugged wine and the aid of an un- principled woman, he had betrayed me on my first arrival m London. I thought to myself that if I had never thus become the victim of his black perfidiousness, I might have pursued a virtuous career,—eating the bread of honest industry, but far more contented and happy in a humble grade than I now was, though surrounded by all the elegances and luxuries of life. The longer I con- tinued this train of reflection, the more embittered did I become against Alvanly; and then, by a transition which was not at the moment altogether intelligible to myself, I found my thoughts set- tlng wpon the image of the hamdsome and agree- able Reginald Fortescue. While the fascinating Captain of the Life Guards was thus occupymg my mind, the house- maid brought me in a note, the contents of which ran as follow :— June 14th, 1841. ** Captain Fortescue presents his most respectful com- pliments to Miss Lambert, and will do himself the honour of calling on Miss Lambert between four and five o'clock this evening. Captain Fortescue has taken the liberty of making this written announcement, inas- much as he has transmitted several verbal requests to Miss Lambert, soliciting a few moments’ interview; and to each one he has received an unfavourable response. Esteeming Miss Lambert too highly to feel the en- durance of her displeasure any longer tolerable, Captain Fortescue has at length adopted these means of seeking an opportunity for such self-exculpation or explanation as under circumstances may be requisite.” I should inform the reader that ever since the night of the burglary I had not once seen Captain Fortescue. It will be remembered that on the following morning he had requested permission, through Mrs. Jiarborough, to pay his respects to me but that I had declined to see him. A fort- night and upwards had since elapsed: but I had never received one of those messages to which he alluded in his note—so that I had not the slightest doubt they had been intereepted by Mrs. Itar- borough herself, who doubtless had her own good reasons for creating a coolness between me and the ROSA LAMBERT. | terview which he sought. | explanations could he have to give unless for a —— Captain, The arrival of this letter at the ve instant his image was uppermost in my thoughts, struck me as a curious coineidence. I experienced strange sensations; and serio set myself to deliberate whether I really loved Captain For- teseue or not. I presently found myself thinking that I would sooner inhabit a cnt with him and live on the humblest fare, than continue to dwell in these handsome apartments under the protection of Gustavus Alvanly. I now therefore more than half suspected that Reginald Fortescue was not altogether indifferent to me: I remembered how jealous I had felt in respect to Mrs. Har- borough when I had obtained the conviction of his intimacy with her; and I at length murmured to myself, “ Yes—this must be love; and I do love Reginald Fortescue !” Still I hesitated somewhat to afford him the in- What exculpations or specific purpose P and what specific purpose could he have in view, if not the formal making of those overtures which, at the commencement of our ac- quaintance a few months back, he had endeavoured to convey by pressures of the hand and tender glances. But was I prepared to break off with Gustavus Alvanly and throw myself into the arms of Reginald Fortescue? I knew not: I grew be- wildered in my reficctions: I felt my heart flutter- ing, and my soul filled with an anxious Sy suspense. But very certain it was that tao eagle a comparison between those two was foreed upon my mind, the less favourable did it prove to Gus- tavus Alvanly, and the more favourable to Re- ginald Fortescue. I did not go out that afternoon either for a drive or a walk: I was not only wearied with the excitement of the previous evening’s scenes, but also oecupied with the varied reflections which I have been recording. Between three and four o’clock I ascended to my dressing-room to perform the evening toilet; and when Frances consulted me as to the apparel I chose to wear, I caught myself mentioning that which I fancied became me most. Was it because Reginald Fortescue was coming to see me presently? The question which thus suddenly flashed to my mind, called up a blush to my cheeks. | Shortly after four o’clock I was seated on the sofa in the drawing-room, elegantly dressed in evening costume. The low corsage displayed a sufficiency of my bust to set off its really fine contours, without however a meretricious im- modesty: my bare arms, as they were reflected in the mirror opposite, were of dazzling whiteness— | . sufficiently robust for healthy plumpness and to be } consistent with their sculptural modelling. I wore my hair in tresses: the flutter of my heart height- ened the colour upon my cheeks; and altogether methought that I had never seemed more beau- | tiful. Was I vain of this loveliness on its own fascinating a heart which I in reality longed to ensnareP In a word, was I deeply in love with Reginald Fortescue? had the reflections of this day impressed that conviction upon my mind? [| and was I looking forward with pleasure to the | — moment when his footsteps should be heard upon | — the stairs P ; Not long did I wait ere those sounds J a *, . m ‘ ’ hep [| 1 iv ih ih 7 i i { ba pF } eve ; 4 +e , i 4 , t account alone? or was I proud of it as a means of ~