Thus thought Edmund, and he knew not that he deceived himself, till he saw Prince Ferdinand, who, with the happy elasticity of youth, was chatting gaily with one of the beauties of the court. "Love him!" thought he, as a scornful smile passed over his features--"love him, did I say? Oh, no! it is impossible; I could not endure to see her love that coxcomb:" and, shuddering with the torments of jealousy, he turned away. Cheops was near him, muffled in a thick cloak that shrouded him from observation; the Mummy marked the changes in Lord Edmund's countenance, and read well the feelings they betrayed. "Yes, even he," said he, with one of his fearful laughs, "will soon be mine; for never yet did man trust in his own strength, that did not fall." CHAPTER XVIII. The day of election now rapidly approached. The duke, Sir Ambrose, the rival candidates, and the opposition lords, were all in London. The deputies were also assembled; and though it was forbidden to declare publicly for whom they intended to vote, till the decisive moment arrived; yet the popular feeling seemed so strongly in favour of Rosabella, that there appeared scarcely a chance for her rival. Exulting in her expected triumph, and confident of success, Rosabella sate in the splendid _boudoir_ allotted to her use in Lord Gustavus's house, musing on her hoped-for grandeur. A large mirror was opposite to her; and as Rosabella saw her own fine figure reflected in it, joy sparkled in her eyes, and her mind wandered enraptured through scenes of future glory. Thus, completely absorbed in pleasing meditations, Rosabella was not aware that Cheops stood before her, till she heard his full, deep-toned voice repeating her name. "Rosabella!" said he--"Rosabella! Queen of England! hail!" "Cheops!" exclaimed she. "Hail to the Queen of England!" resumed he: "no longer need you stoop to solicit suffrages: your fate is sealed!" "Think you that I am quite safe?" asked the princess; her eyes sparkling, and her cheeks glowing. "Certainly--there cannot be a doubt." "Then I may bid defiance to these wretches, and need no longer submit to their caprices, or be subservient to their humours." "Not unless you like it." "Like it!" exclaimed Rosabella, her eyes flashing fire; "can you suppose I like to practise meanness?" "Policy, indeed, recommends a contrary course," continued the Mummy; "as, if you do not assert your own independence, they will encroach upon your condescension, and treat you as a slave." Rosabella bit her lips, and her bosom swelled with indignation. The Mummy took no notice of her agitation, but went on. "Let them not bind you by any promises. Prove yourself a free and independent sovereign. Trample upon them, and they will crouch at your feet: but crouch to them, and they will trample upon you!"