Rosamond; or, The Youthful Error | Page 7

nobody, whom her brother had undertaken to
educate," she said, "and though she might be rather pretty, she was
low-born and vulgar, as any one could see."
Ben confessed to a deficiency of eye-sight on that point, and then, as
his mother showed no signs of changing the conversation, he left her
abruptly, and sauntered off into the garden, where he came suddenly
upon Rosamond, who was finishing the Ancient Mariner in the
summer- house, her favorite resort.
"So we've met again," said he, "and a pretty lecture I've had on your
account."
"Why on my account?" asked Rosamond; and Ben, who never kept a
thing to himself, told her in substance all his mother had said.
"She always wakes in the wrong time," said he, "and she saw me just as
I was about to give you a little bit of a hug--so"--and he proceeded to
demonstrate.
Rosamond's temper was up, and equally indignant at mother and son,
she started to her feet, exclaiming, "I'd thank you, sir, to let me alone."
"Whew-ew," whistled Ben. "Spunky, ain't you. Now I rather like that.
But pray don't burst a blood vessel. I've no notion of making love to
you, if mother does think so. You are too small a girl."
"Too small a girl," repeated Rosamond, scornfully. "I'm fourteen to-
morrow--quite too old to be insulted," and she darted away, followed
by the merry laugh of the good-humored Ben.

Two hours before, Rosamond would not have been so excited, for
though nearly fourteen, she was in thought and feeling a very child, as
was proved by her asking to kiss her benefactor's hand; but Mrs. Van
Vechten's remarks, repeated to her by Ben, had wrought in her a change,
and, in some respects, transformed her into a woman at once. She did
not care so much for the liberties Ben had attempted to take, but his
mother's words rankled in her bosom, awakening within her a feeling of
bitter resentment; and when, next day, the lady's bell rang out its
summons for her to come, she sat still upon the doorsteps and gave no
heed.
"Rosamond," said Mrs. Peters, "Mrs. Van Vechten is ringing for you."
"Let her ring, I'm not going to wait on her any more," and Rosamond
returned to the book she was reading.
Meantime, flurried and impatient, the lady above stairs pulled at the
bell-rope, growing more nervous and angry with every pull, until at last,
as she heard her brother's step in the hall, she went out to him and said,
"I wish you'd send that girl to me. I've rung at least fifty times; and dare
say she's enticing Ben again. I knew it would be so."
Going hurriedly down the stairs, Mr. Browning sought out Rosamond
and said to her, "My sister is ringing for you."
"I know it, sir;" and the brown eyes, which heretofore had seemed so
soft and gentle, flashed upon him an expression which puzzled him.
"Then why do you not go?" he asked; and the young girl replied, "I
shall not wait upon, her any more."
"_Rosamond!_" said Mr. Browning. There was severity in the tone of
his voice, and Rosamond roused at once.
"She says I am vulgar, and _low-born_, and have designs upon Ben,"
said she, "and it's a falsehood. My mother was as much a lady as she. I
am not vulgar, and I hate Ben, and I won't stay here if I must wait on
her. Shall I go away?"

If Rosamond left, the life of the house went with her. This Mr.
Browning knew; but man-like, he did not wish to be conquered by a
woman, and after questioning her as to the nature of Mrs. Van
Vechten's offence, he answered, "My sister says some foolish things, I
know, but it is my request that you attend to her while she stays, and I
expect to be obeyed."
That last word was unfortunate, for Rosamond had a strong will of her
own, and tapping her little foot upon the ground, she said saucily, "And
suppose you are not obeyed?"
He did not tell her she must leave Riverside, but he said, "You must
answer for your disobedience to me, who have certainly some right to
control you;" then, fearing that his own high temper might be tried
more than he chose to have it, he walked away just in time to avoid
hearing her say, "she cared less for him than for his sister!"
Rosamond was too impulsive not to repent bitterly of her conduct; and
though she persisted in leaving Mrs. Van Vechten to herself, and
refused to speak to Ben, whose face, in consequence, wore a most
melancholy expression, she almost cried herself sick, and at last,
startled Mrs. Peters, just as that