Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 106: what you’re looking at

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i r mew ce 98 AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. signify to Theodore Clifford that she yielded to his supplications. A lover is always ready-witted in triumphing over difficulties ; and perhaps Theo- dore had been revolving certain plans in his mind before he called at the villa on the present occa- sion: perhaps he had foreseen that Agnes would raise obstacles ;—perhaps likewise he did not alto- gether regret that she had done so, inasmuch as from that circumstance he was enabled to propose to Floribel a stealthy and secret departure. He assured her that every arrangement should be con- ducted with the utmost circumspection—that he would lose no time in procuring a special license— that they would journey to some secluded village where the marriage could be solemnized—and that immediately on their return to London, he would lead her into his father’s presence, they would throw themselves upon their knees before Lord Windermere, and his lordship’s forgiveness of his son would be accompanied by the acknowledgment of his daughter-in-law. Floribel listened to all these assurances, which more than ever convinced her of the honourable character and devoted love of her admirer: but still there was one difficulty to get over. How could she leave the villa unperceived by Agnes? They deliberated for some little time; and at length a plan was arranged. Theodore Clifford then again embraced Floribel fervently: and he took his departure to carry out the arrangements which had been settled between them. At a distance of about half a mile from Sidney Villa, and in the neighbourhood of Kentish Town, resided a widow-lady named Sheridan, who was accustomed to visit at Mr. and Mrs. Timperley’s. There Agnes and Floribel had formed her ac- quaintance: she occasionally called at the vila; but inasmuch as she was frivolous in her conversa- tion, affected in her manners, and prone ‘to gossip- ing, she was no favourite with Miss Evelyn. Floribel however had rather taken a fancy to her, —considering her to be an agreeable and enter- taining person. It happened that on the very day of which we are writing, Mrs. Sheridan had sent note, inviting Miss Lister and Miss Evelyn to take tea with her in the evening: but Agnes had sig- nified her intention to decline the invitation, while something had prevented Floribel from expressing at the moment any decision upon the point. She now resolved to accept that invitation ; and the in- stant Theodore had taken his departure she sent a note to this effect to Mrs, Sheridan. When Agnes returned from her visit to Mrs. De Vere, Floribel informed her that the Hon. Mr. Clifford had called,—adding, “But I can assure yOu, my dear cousin, that [ was not un- mindful of the promise I had previously given to you.” Miss Evelyn expressed her delight at what she considered to be Floribel’s prudence and good sense ; and not for an instant did she suspect that she was being deceived by her cousin. She stated how she had passed a very agreeable hour with Mrs. De Vere, whom she represented as an amiable, mild, lady-like person ;—and after some little conversation in this strain, Agnes betook her- self to her embroidery. “Oh, I forgot to mention,’’ said Fleribel, while half-reclining on a sofa, with a novel in her hand, ‘** that I wrote just now to Mrs. Sheridan, to the effect that I would pass an hour or two with her in the evening, and making some suitable excuse for your inability to accept the invitation.” “Tf I had thought that you really desired to. accept it, Floribel,” answered Agnes, “I would have gone with you. But now it would seem capricious on my part-———” “Ob! I have no particular wish,” exclaimed Miss Lister: “only I fear that it would seem strange, as Mrs. Sheridan has on two or three octasions invited us—and we have always refused hitherto,” “Go then, my dear cousin,” said the unsus- picious Agnes: and she thought to herself ‘that a little recreation would have a beneficial effect for Floribel after what had passed in reference to Theodore Clifford. It was shortly after eight o’clock in the even- ing that Floribel entered a fly, or hackney-vehicle, which had been engaged to take her to Mrs. Sheridan’s. She felt a tightening at the heart as she look leave of Agnes; and she could searcely prevent herself from embracing her beautiful cousin with a degree of fervour which might have raised a suspicion that the leave-taking was felt to be one which would prove of longer duration than a mere two or three hours. But Floribel thought to herself that she had gone too far to retreat ; and having therefore to play a particula@t part, she succeeded in veiling whatsoever emotions she felt on the occasion. She went:—and the unsuspect- ing Agnes remained alone in the drawing-room at Sidney Villa. As the vehicle was rolling along, Ploribel felt that the tears were trickling down her cheeks. She hastily wiped them away, and strove to per- suade herself that she was foolish to yield to this weakness—that she was only consulting her own happiness in the step which she was taking—and that when once, as the honoured bride of Theodore Clifford, she should be received by Lord Winder- mere, she would have every reason to rejoice at the courage, firmness, and decision which she was manifesting now. As for the duplicity of which she was guilty towards Agnes, she felt assured that her amiable cousin would cheerfully pardon her, and on her return to London would speed to welcome her as the bride of Theodore Clifford. Still she could not help feeling a sensatioa of grief, which for a moment had bordered on anguish, at thus voluntarily separating herselt from that cousin with whom she had been brought up since her earliest infancy, from whom she had never before been parted, and whom she really loved with a sisterly fondness. Therefore, under all these conflicting influences. it was with some difficulty that Floribel could compose her feelings and smooth her countenance by the time she reached Mrs. Sheridan’s house in the vicinage of Kentish Town. CHAPTER XIX. THE ELOPEMERT. Sheridan gave on this oecasion,—just, as she ex- Tt was only a very small party which Mrs. | Sherid it, a few of her neighbours dropping in to comileloolkxs