ABSTRACT

It was already late in the evening, and Ormsby and Lessington awaited in the most distressing suspense the arrival of the physician they expected; the messenger sent to him having returned, to say he would be with them as soon as possible. Rosalie, though still conscious of, and grateful for the attentions of Lessington, seemed too ill to enter into conversation or explanation of any kind. But at length in attempting to sooth and to reason with her, he prevailed upon her to say, that she should die contented, and even prefer death, if she could but see her child once more, and ask his father’s protection for him. This was more than she had yet coherently said; and Lessington, who was now alone by her bed-side, made an effort to carry the conversation farther. And why, my dear Rosalie,’ said he, ‘why do you doubt his protecting his son? Since he has taken him from you, however unkind that step may have been, as far as it regards you, Mr. Montalbert had probably no other design than to take care of him, and give him a father’s protection’ – ‘Good God!’ exclaimed Rosalie, ‘can you, my dear Sir, believe that he could have been guilty of so very cruel an action, as tearing him from me, had he not determined to destroy me, and to erase all recollection of a marriage, which he probably repents, and is ashamed of? – His mother, his cruel mother, and his treacherous friend Alozzi’ – she here paused a moment, unable to go on – ‘have prevailed on him to abandon me. Perhaps too, some newer attachment …. for I can never think that they alone could influence him – some newer attachment.’ She could proceed no farther; the idea was too cruel to be supported; and her voice became inarticulate through the violence of her emotions.