Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 140: what you’re looking at

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minds of his aged grandsire and his cousin Wint- fred, when in a short time he shoulc again be with them in London. Having re-locked the door of the cupboard and laid the key upon the drawers, Gustavus sought his couch. The bliss which filled his soul kept him for some while awake: but at length siumber stole upon his eyes—and then in a short time he slept profoundly. When he awoke in the morning, it occurred to him that there was a cer- tain grateful freshness in the atmosphere of his chamber which was not usual until he opened the window, as he was in the habit of doing every morning the instant he stepped out of bed. But as he now descended from his couch, he perceived that the window was open; and yet he felt per- fectly confident that it was closed ere he sought his bed on the previous night. It was a casement- window, opening inward like a pair of folding: doors; and it struck him that the fastening having been negligently secured, must have given way during the night. Attaching no further im- portance to the circumstance, Gustavus proceeded to perform his ablutions and his toilet with all possible haste; for he had caught a glimpse of Emily’s white drapery in the garden, and he was in a hurry to join her. In a quarter of an hvuur he was descending the stairs; and then in a few moments he was by her side. Fervid was the embrace in which he strained her ; and the beautiful quadroon girl seemed to cling to him more lovingly, if possible, than ever. They walked for a little while until the breakfast, which they were accustomed to take alone together, was announced to be in readiness: and then they en- tered the villa. It was not until they had finished that Mr. Pinnock made his appearance; and as he was always late in the morning, his repast was quickly partaken of. The chaise drove round to the door; and the merchant, rising from the table, exclaimed with a smile, as he addressed himself to Gustavus, but glanced towards Emily, “I suppose it is of no use, my young friend, to ask you to accompany me? “You are better engaged.” “Yes—with your permission,” replied Gus- tavus, blushing with youthful confusion. “ I would rather remain at Mount Pleasant.” “Well, then, farewell to both of you till din- ner-time!” cried Mr. Pinnock ; and he was speed- ing forth through the open casement to enter his chaise, when suddenly recollecting something, he exclaimed, “Ah! I had well-nigh forgotten the box of gold!” * And I had totally forgotten it!” cried Gus- tavus, with a smile. “I will fetch it this in. stant.” He hastened out of the room—rushed up the stairs—and burst precipitately into his own cham- ber; for he knew that Mr. Pinnock was in a hurry and must not be kept waiting. Ina moment the key was taken from his pocket: the next moment it turned in the lock; and the door of the cup- board was opened. But Gustavus started, while acry of affright and amazement burst from his lips: for the box of gold was gone! He passed his hand before his eyes: he fancied that a mist must be obscuring his vision. He looked again; but no!—there was nothing upon the shelf !—it was empty! and so was every other shelf in that eupboard; for the youth had used it only for the AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE, one occasion of placing the box therein :—his own effects were all deposited in the chest of drawers. With another cry—wilder and more penetrat- ing than the former one—QGustavus rushed down the stairs, fevered in brain and frantic in looks, “Good God! what has happened ?” exclaimed Mr. Pinnock, tke instant the youth burst into the parlour. “Oh! what is the matter?” asked Emily, bounding towards him with affright depicted on her beautiful features. “The box has disappeared !” gasped forth Gus- tavus: “the gold is gone !” A cry burst from the lips of the quadroon; and an ejaculation of astonishment from those of Mr. Pinnock. “Ah, I recollect!” suddenly exclaimed Gus- tavus, who was terribly excited. “That window which I found open! Oh!—and that villanous- looking negro! Yes, yes!—it is all too clear! He must have heard me speak of the gold last evening! I see it all! Nelson is the rob- ber!” ““Yes—Nelson must be the thief!” hastily ejaculated Emily: and then bursting into a flood of tears, she exclaimed, “Oh, my poor Gus- tavus !” * But this must be at once investigated!” cried Mr. Pinnock, almost as much excited as the two lovers themselves: “it is most serious! it is most abominable! Come—let us see!” Thus speaking, he rushed from the room, and sprang up the staircase towards the youth’s cham- ber, — Gustavus himself and the beautiful qua- droon girl closely following. The cupboard-door stood wide open, as Barrington had just left it; and all the shelves were empty. “Why, what is this?” suddenly exclaimed Emily: “a pane of glass has been cut out!” Mr. Pinnock and Gustavus turned abruptly towards the open casement; and there, sure enough, they beheld the cause of the quadroon’s ejaculation. The pane of glass which was nearest to the handle of the contrivance for fastening the window, had been abstractea ; and Gustavus ex- claimed with passionate vehemence, ‘‘ Yes—it is but too evident! The burglar entered my cham- ber by the window !—he must have stolen in while I slept! None other than the villanous negro could have done it !” CHAPTER XXiN, FLORIBEL’S NEW HOME. THE scene once more changes: the attention of the reader must be brought back, across the wide Atlantic, to the British metropolis. It was the end of October—ten days after the disappearance of Floribel from Sidney Villa; and we are about to peep into a splendily furnished drawing-room at a house in May Fair. The house itself was not large—but it was commodious, and well-appointed in every respect. The apartment to which we are introducing the reader showed that no expense had been spared in fitting it up in the most sumptuous style; und it might be taken as a specimen of the manner in which all the other COMMicoool<s ee a Se