Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 142: what you’re looking at

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

—~~wmee =< 134 * Oh, yes! I am completely happy,” exclaimed Floribel: but yet it was with a species of effort, though scarcely perceptible, that she gave vent to the ejaculation. ‘‘ How could I be otherwise? My husband, as you say, surrounds me with all I wish; and my leasf wants are anticipated.” ‘* And then, too,” added Catharine, “ Mr. Clif- ford belongs to one of the noblest families. Of course, ma’am, you will soon be introduced ‘ “Oh, yes, yes!” exclaimed Floribel, snatching up one of the jewels and regarding it with every appearance of the most earnest attention, ‘“‘ Of course, as the marriage took place clandestinely, Mr. Clifford has to prepare the way with his family; but in a short time, no doubt Ah, what a beautiful ruby, Catharine! And what pearls! Look, Alicea! You need not be afraid to approach :” for the parlour-maid was standing at a respectful distance, and yet straining her eyes to catch a glimpse of the costly contents of the cas- ket. “Thank you, ma’am!” she exclaimed, hasten- ing forward to gratify her curiosity. “Oh, what beautiful things! How * And she stopped suddenly short. Floribel looked at her, and asked with a half-smile, as if she penetrated her thoughts, “‘ What were you going to say? Speak fearlessly.” “T was going to say, ma’am,” replied Alice bashfully, and with more real sincerity than the more worldly-minded and experienced Catharine had been inspired with in her flatteries,—“I was going to say, ma’am, how dearly Mr. Clifford must love you to give you such beautiful things !” **'Yes—to be sure! he adores me! I know he does!” said Floribel. ‘There is every proof of it! Itis true he cannot be always here, because until he breaks the marriage to his father Lord Windermere ‘ At this moment the door opened; and a middle. aged, sedate, respectable-looking man—somewhat florid of countenance, and inclined to corpulence —dressed in a suit of black, with a white neck- cloth, aud linen of snowy purity—entered the room, This individual filled the united posts of steward and butler. He bowed respectfully, and ssid, “If you please, ma’am, I have just com- pleted the arrangement of the cellars. The cham- pagne and hock which came last evening, have all been stowed away. Here is a list, ma’am, of the wines, which my master ordered me to give you; and here is the wine-merchant’s list, that in case you should choose to make any addition to the stock “i “No, Bateman,” said Floribel. “I think in all conscience there is sufficient according to your own list! Wighty dozen of wine!—and I who scarcely ever touch it!” * Permit me to observe, ma’am,” said Bateman, with another bow, ‘“ that when you begin to give balls and parties, tho wine soon goes; and as there is still plenty of room in the cellar 5 * Really, Bateman,” interrupted Floribel, with an air of languid fatigue, “ you had better speak to your master on the subject. He knows more about it than J,” “My master’s instructions are, ma’am,” re- soined the steward, “that I should take my orders from you in all things.” ** Ah, well!” said Floribel, ‘it is very kind and bd —_——_—_—_ eee er ee eee ee AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE, very considerate ! me Pp” “That there is still plenty of room in the cellar, ma’am,” responded Bateman; “and if you will condescend to glance at the wine-merchent’s list, you will see, ma’ati, that I have made pencil marks against a few sorts that with all due de- ference you ought, ma’am, to have. I would sug- gest, for instance, twelve dozen of sparkling Moselle : ’tis lighter than Champagne, and more fitted for supper-parties. Then there is Chablis —excellent with oysters, Six dozen I have marked 2 **T see,” said Floribel: “and there are half-a- dozen others. Well, you had better order them ; and then the cellar will be complete.—There ig nothing like having one’s arrangements effective at the outset,” added Floribel, thus addressing herself to Catharine as Bateman bowed and quitted the room. “Every incident proves, ma’am,” responded the lady’s-maid, “ how determined Mr. Clifford is that you shall want for nothing, and that when you begin to receive company your table shall be the envy of all your guests,” “True!” said Floribel. ‘ A husband’s love displays itself in these attentions to the material elements of comfort and happiness. Ob, yes! he loves me very much !” But here again we pause to ask whether Flo- tibel was altogether happy ? Perhaps Catharine —who was a very keen observer—might have fancied that her mistress strained and strove somewhat to persuade herself that she veritably enjoyed a happiness without a drawback,—or at least to reason herself into the belief that she ought to experience if, though there might be a lurking sense in her mind that some element to render that happiness complete was wanting. Had Floribel been more a woman of the world, she would not have talked so much to her maid of her husband’s love : she would not in the presence of witnesses have endeavoured to find so many proofs of it in all the circumstances by which she was surrounded ;—~ much less would she have striven to elicit from the lips of others so many assurances to corroborate the very thing of which she was endeavouring to persuade herself. Again the door opened; and a groom in a very handsome livery made his appearance. “You have taken the note, George ?” said Floribel, as the colour went and came in rapid transitions upon her countenance. “ Yes, ma’am,” was the reply. “ I took a cab, according to your orders ; and [ was not long in reaching Sidney Villa.” “And whom did you see?” inquired Floribel quickly, at the same time vainly endeavouring to conceal the tremulousness which pervaded her en- tire form. . “First of all, ma’am,” replied the groom, “I saw a female—the housekeeper I should sup- pose 9 “Ah! Rachel doubtless ?” ejaculated Floribel, her heart flattering more and more. “Yes, ma’am—that was the name: I heard Miss Evelyn call her by it.” “Ah! then you saw my cousin? you saw Miss Evelyn?” said Floribel eagerly. “The young lady came out directly the house- What wers you going ta tell COMMcooolx<s