Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 146: what you’re looking at

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

oar = 138 oe — »” a danger! And no clue has been obtained “Not the stightest,” responded Miss Evelyn, ‘Tn all probability the burglars will never be de- tected.” The cousins continued in conversation until the hour arrived when it was necessary for Floribel to go up and dress for dinner ; for she still retained By the time her toilet was accomplished it was half-past five o’clock, at which hour the dinner was served up. The two cousins Agnes could not help sighing as she thought of the bridegroom being absent her morning negligée. sat down together. from his table ere the honeymoon was one third over; and as she glanced at Floribel their eyes The colour went and came on Floribel’s countenance—for she penetrated what was passing in the mind of Agnes; and in a low voice, which met. was tremulous despite her endeavour to render it as calm and composed as she could, she said, in a whisper, so as not to be overheard by the servants in attendance, “ It is only for a short time, Agnes, that Theodore is thus compelled to sacrifice me as But when a marriage tukes it were to his father. place under clandestine circumstances —for the truth must be told—everything cannot be com- pletely smooth at first.” Agnes, deeply commiserating her cousin, instan- taneously endeavoured to assume a cheerful air : she forced herself to speak with gaiety ; and Flo- ribel thanked her with a glance of gratitude. The dinner was exquisitely served, and consisted of dainties sufficient for a dozen persons. But al- though there were only two, yet all the ceremony of large parties was obseryed,—the parlour-maid waiting, assisted by Bateman, who stood the whole time at the sideboard, whence he handed to the girl the plate, the finger-glasses, the wines, the dessert, and everything that was required for the complete service of the table. “T would gladly escape from all this ceremony,” said Floribel, when the domestics had withdrawn: ** but Theodore is accustomed to it—the servants do it as a matter of course—and it would seem strange if I were to forbid them,” Again Agnes sighed—but this time in so sub- dued and stifled a manner that her emotion was not noticed by her cousin. Our heroine could not help thinking that such ceremony, as cold as the massive silver plate itself, could scarcely contri- bute to real domestic comfort or happiness. After having sat a little while longer at the table, the cousins ascended to the drawing-room, where Floribel begzed Agnes to try the splendid piano which Mr. Clifford had purchased for her. It was a magnificent instrument; and Agnes played some lively airs,—mnot choosing this particular style through any settled purpose at the moment—though when she had finished, the idea stole into her mind that she had done so in order to cheer Floribel’s spirits. Then this thought naturally made her ask herself whether her cousin’s spirits really required such cheering ? —and though she struggled against the impres- sion, yet she could not help feeling that there was 8 something wanting to convince her that Iloribel was indeed perfectly happy. The bridegroom was absent, it is true: but even this circumstance did not scem altogether to account for that senti- ne re me we me we was finished, “ Good heavens, Agnes! how shock- ing to think that you should have incurred such SN LE TT TS TIN TE. NERA AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. on ment of commiseration and sympathy which Agnes found herself entertaining on her cousin’s behalf. “Why should I feel thus ?” thought Agnes in her own mind: and she could not satisfactorily reply to the question. Coffee was presently served, the small china cups being brought upon a massive silver salyer; so that this formal ceremony again made the thoughts of Agnes revert to the simpler yet far more comfortable style in which she and her cousin had been wont to have their own tea-table served at Sidney Villa. At length Agnes, observ- ing by the splendid or-molu timepiece that if was nine o'clock, thought it time to depart; and she intimated this much to her cousin. “T will send you home in the carriage,”’ ex- claimed Floribel: and she had darted to the bell- pull before ber cousin had time to declare that she should be contented with a humbler mode of con- veyance. The carriage was ordered: and when the ser- vant hud retired, Agnes said, “ Excuse me, dear Floribel, for speaking to you on a little matter of business: but when once it is settled there will be no further need to revert to it.” “ What do you mean, my dear cousin?” in- quired Floribel in astonishment. “TI was alluding to our pecuniary affairs,” re- plied Agnes. “ Your lamented mother—my own beloved aunt—left us co-heiresses. The half of the income is therefore your’s ul * Acnes, not another syllable upon this point!” exclaimed Floribel. ‘“‘ Everything is now your’s! Keep it all, my sweet cousin : you will be the richer—and I am enchanted that it is so; for you know that I am already rich !” “IT shall say no more, then, upon the present occasion,” rejoined Agnes ; “ but remember, Flo- ribel, I shall always hold your share of the inconie at your disposal. And now I will go and prepare for departure.” “ Catharine will accompany you to the cham- ber,” said her cousin, ringing the bell. “ Excuse me for not going with you—but I have a few little presents in my writing-desk for Rachel: I will look. them out—and I will get you to take them.” Agnes smiled sweetly upon her cousin as sho turned to leave the room ; for such generous con- siderateness on Floribel’s part had not been her usual characteristic; and the amiable Agnes was well pleased that she should thus think ofa faithful and devoted servant. On issuing forth upon the landing, Agnes found Catharine ready with the wax-light to conduct her to the chamber: but on arriving there, Miss Evelyn dispensed with the young woman’s services, She was accustomed to put on her own bonnet and mantle without any such assistance, Catharine accordingly re- tired ; and Agnes remained alone in the room. It was now that a deep depression seized upon her: she could scarcely account for it—still less could she shake it off; and sinking upon a chair, she burst into tears. A presentiment of something wrong oppressed her mind,—though what it was she dared not allow herself to conjecture. For some minutes so deeply absorbed was she in pain- ful thought, that she did not hear the double knock at the door, which to ethers announced some arrival. Her feelings obtained full vent: then she hastily wiped her eyes; and blaming here * * ros et Le ee ; - a “ s a —_ eee ee >... = a -— " - =“ comicbooks