Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 108: what you’re looking at

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100 AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. deliberately when it was for her good, and yet on the other hand too ready to conjure up a thousand arguments in support of any project whereon she had set her mind. Thus, though her character was without strong moral stamina, she was purely virtuous: her innate sense of modesty was not marred by the element of levity that was in her disposition ;—and so she trembled and vague fears sprang up in her mind, as she felt that there was something more fervid, more passionate in the kisses which Theodore imprinted upon her cheeks than was completely consistent with the chastity and purity of love. Clifford saw that he had shocked and frightened bis beauteous companion; and he hastened to efface the impression which his passionate fervour had thus made upon her mind. He spoke to her in the softest and tenderest manner: in the most delicate terms did he assure her of his affection: he expatiated on the happiness they would enjoy when united beyond the power of any human law to separate them; and thus in a few minutes Floribel was completely reassured :—she was like- wise completely happy. It was sweet for her to listen to this tender language: she had sufficient vanity to be flattered by the complimerts, which, delicately and without fulsomeness, Clifford inter- wove with his protestations of imperishable affec- tion and with his expatiations upon their prospects of happiness. Again were all remorse and regret _ forgotten: Agnes was only remembered as one a ee NS EE who in a few days would be happy to welcome her cousin as the bride of Theodore Clifford ; and when he again kissed her cheek, she felt neither shocked nor frightened—she trembled not, neither did she immediately withdraw from his embrace—because now there was no passionate fervour in those kisses: they seemed to be but the chaste testi- monials of a pure, manly, and honourable love. The post-chaise proceeded at a rapid rate: the first stage was soon accomplished—the horses were changed—and away sped the equipage again. It was a little past one o’clock in the morning when the second stage was accomplished, and a small town was reached. The night was frosty; and at this hour the chill set in with bitterness. Clifford gently suggested that it would be well if his be- loved were to take a few hours’ rest at the place which they had thus reached,—adding that they could pursue their way at eight o’clock towards the village where he proposed that the ceremony should be solemnized, and where he promised that they should arrive before mid-day. Floribel, now all confidence, expressed her willingness to leave every arrangement to her lover; and moreover she felt the bitterness of the chill—for she was but sightly clad, and though his cloak was wrapped around her, she had no warm furs to protect her. A halt was accordingly resolved upon at the inn where the post-chaise now drew up. All the in- mates had retired to rest: but a chambermaid was speedily summoned from her room; and she signified her readiness to attend to the require- ments of the travellers. Clifford intimated that they needed two rooms; and he asked whether it were possible to have any warm negus supplied at that hour P—observing that both himself and his companion were well-nigh perished with the cold. The chambermaid eonducted them into a parlour, where there happened to be a remnant of fire in the grate; and she promised that all their wants should be quickly attended to. In a few minutes she returned, bearing a tray containing wine in a decanter, hot water, sugar, and all that was requi- site for making the negus that had been ordered. Clifford displayed the most delicate attentions towards Floribel,—conducting himself, alike in speech and in looks, in a manner calculated to maintain all the confidence with which he had succeeded in inspiring her;—and that confidence was complete. ** You must have suffered much from the cold night air, my sweetest Floribel,” he said; “ for I myself felt its bitterness, It must be many hours since you partook of any refreshment—and this negus will warm you.” While thus speaking, Clifford was standing at the table mixing the beverage ; while Floribel sat cowering over the remnant of fire in the grate. She did indeed feel bitterly cold; and she could scarcely keep her teeth from chattering. Clifford approached her with the steaming glass in his hand, and he delicately pressed her to partake of its contents. She did so—but drinking merely a portion of the negus ; for she was naturally most abstemious in respect to any except the weakest beverages. The chambermaid soon returned to intimate that the rooms were now prepared for the reception of the travellers: Theodore re- spectfully wished Floribel good night, — simply pressing her hand, and not offering to embrace her in the presence of the domestic. The young lady followed the chambermaid to the room prepared for her reception. The do- mestic had considerately lighted the fire, which was now blazing and sparkling in a manner to diffuse an air of cheerfulness about the room. The maid retired; and Floribel used all possible despatch in disapparelling herself; for she felt drowsy—which she attributed to the numbing influence of the cold. She sought the couch ; and not many moments had her head rested upon the pillow, when she sank into a profound slum- ber. We must now return to Sidney Villa. The beautiful Agnes occupied herself with her em- broidery and her books after Floribel had taken her departure to proceed to Mrs. Sheridan’s house ; and thus engaged, our interesting young heroine whiled away the time until past eleven o’clock. She then began to think that the party at Mrs. Sheridan's must be a more agreeable one than Floribel had expected to find it—or else her cousin would assuredly not have remained so late. Time passed: it was now midnight; and still no Floribel! Agnes thought of retiring to rest: but she lingered in the drawing-room, saying to her- self, “ She cannot be many minutes now.” Another hour elapsed : it was one in the morning —and still Floribel came not. The pure-minded Agnes was very far from entertaining the slightest suspicion of the real truth: her former idea that her cousin had found the party an agreeable one, was confirmed by her continued absence; and Agnes said to herself, “ The supper is perhaps late; and as Floribel is a general favourite in society, Mrs. Sheridan and the guests will not suffer her to depart. long now |” But she cannot possibly be co LNOOKS =) a Coir