Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 128: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

SS eed — et ee ee 120 acceptance of the term: but that in his more youthful period he might have merited ihe less positive epithet of ‘“‘ good-looking,”’ was quite possible. He had dark eyes which shone brightly ; and once, when for an instant he smiled at some peculiar antic on the part of one of the black children, he displayed a fine set of teeth. ‘“T saw that gentleman yesterday,” said Gus- tavus in a low tone to Miss Pinnock. ‘Your uncle told me of his peculiarities and eccentri- cities "2 *“ Yes—he is a very strange being,’’ responded Emily. ‘‘He always bows to me with a sufhi- cient degree of courtesy: but we have never yet exchanged a syllable. Ah, he notices us now !”’ At that instant Mr. Hargrave suddenly started from his motionless attitude against the tree: and lifting his hat to Miss Pinnock, he turned away: walking slowly along, like one who was in profound thonght, he was -soon lost to the view amidst the neighbouring trees. Gustayus and Emily pursued their ramble; and presently the young lady pointed out to her companion a small cottuge and a still more diminutive hut, which stood in the midst of a little garden. These were re- spectively the habitations of Mr. Hargrave and the old negro who attended to his household affairs. While returning from thew walk, Gustavus and Emily perceived a tall black man ap- proaching. He was a finely-built, athletic fel- low, with a form that would have served admirably as a model for the statue of a gladiator ; but his countenance, having the true African stamp of features, was by no means equally de- serving of commendation. As this negro advanced, Gustavus observed that Emily drew closer to his side; and as he offered his arm—which he had not hitherto done—she at once took it. He even fancied that she clung to him as if in some sort feeling that it was to the arm of a protector ; and he was struck by the idea that she had some great and powerful reason for enter- taining an apprehension on account of that in- dividual. The negro stackened his pace as he ely | vanced; and though -he made a _ profoundly respectful salutation, yet his looks were for a mo- ment flung upon Emily in a manner which Gus- tavus conceived to be sinister though incompre- hensible. They were looks which might have indicated either a fierce vindictive resentment or else the burning desire of lustful passion—but which it was the youth could not in his own mind |} determine. ‘Good morning, Nelson,’’ said Miss Emily, as she and Gustavus passed the tall, strong-built negro: and these few words were in acknow- denen of the respectful salutation he had | made. *“Does that man belong to Mr. Pinnock’s | estate P’’ inquired Gustavus, when he and Emily ! were at a little distance from the spot where they had passed the negro. ‘** No,” she replied : ** he belongs to*the neigh- | bouring estate—but he has acquaintances amongst | my uncle’s people; and besides, he is often sent on our plantation with messages from his master.” ‘** Pardon the ebservation, Miss Pinnock,”’ said Gustavus, after a moment’s pause, “‘ but me- thought you liked net altogether the presence of that man ?”’ Emily did not immediately give any reply: TT Ee’ weao>*o_=S ST 0000 eS as se ee AGNES ; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. the looks, at first so incomprehensible, which ee ie eee but at the expiration of a few moments she ~ said, with the candid tone of one suddenly re- solving to unbosom herself to a friend, ‘‘ I confess you are‘right, Mr. Barrington. And yet I know not how it is——perhaps I am very foolish+\— but to speak frankly, I never behold that man without an indescribable sensation of terror creeping over me. Yet his conduct has always been respectful enough—and therefore I suppose ~ it must be on account of something in his looks. They are looks which I do not dare meet: I hurry past him without venturing to raise my eyes, and yet with a feeling as if I thus incurred the danger of being suddenly seized upon by him unawares. Now I. on certain you will consider me a very silly gir ** Heaven forbid, Miss Pinnock!” ejaculated Gustavus, with much earnestness: “‘for though our acquaintance has been so short, yet I have with increasing pleasure discovered that you are intelligent.”’ The hand which hitherto had, rested upon the youth’s arm since Emily first took it when the hegro appeared in sight, was now gently with- drawn; and as her looks were bent downward, Gustavus could not catch a glimpse of her counte- nance. ‘Perhaps she thinks I am flattering her,” he said within himself; ‘‘ and she is offended ? —Miss Pinnock,”’ he continued, addressing him- self to the young lady, ‘‘I know that you are too intelligent to be alarmed without a cause; and I will confess that there was something in that man’s looks as we passed him which I did not like,”’ “Ah, you thought so?” exclaimed Emily, now suddenly raising her countenance: and there was nothing in its expression to justify Barrington’s fear that she was offended. ‘*Then | you consider that itis really not altogether with- out just grounds that I have conceived an aversion for that man ?”’ ‘*So far from it,’? rejoined Gustayus, witha | Seon energy, ‘that I entreat you to beware of m 2? Pt OS eS *“ Good heavens, Mr. Barrington!” exclaimed Miss Pinnock ; *‘ you are now indeed completely confirming all my apprehensions! Yet why — should I be afraid of him? I have never done him an injury——I have always endeayorred to speak civilly to him, as you just now heard me © and he would be very wicked to think of doing me a mischief.”’ : : There was so much unaffected candour and artlessness in this speech that it afforded the | strongest possible proof of the innocence of the | young lady’s mind. She was evidently in fear of — Nelson’s malignity only: her thoughts were too — pure to suggest that her beauty might have in- | flamed his passions and that her person was the © object of his lust. 4 Therefore, while Gustayus discovered in Miss © Pinnock a new trait. to excite his admiration, © he was on the other hand firmly convinced that the negro had bent upon her, were indeed ex- || pressive of the desires with which his soul was | inflamed. But while he repeated the warning that Emily | should be on her guard against any evil that Nelson might be capable of towards her, he was careful to avoid the slightest hint which by | enlightening her in respect to the real nature of | the danger which she had to apprehend, might | shock the delicacy of her mind and enlarge the + range of her thoughts which by virgin chastity | were circumscribed, : —_— - Comichdooks