Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 152: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XXXVI. THE PORT WINE. At a quarter before nine on the ensuing morning, Cicely Neale alighted from a cab at the terminus | in Euston Square; and she was immediately joined by the Hon. Hector Hardress, who had already arrived. At a little distance stood Luke Corbet, carrying in his hand a small portmanteau containing his master’s effects. “T have already taken the tickets,” said Hector, pressing the hand which Cicely proffered bim ; “and by means of a small bribe I have obtained | the promise of a compartment for ourselves. shall be all alone together; and we can converse on the part which we have to perform. My ser- vant of course travels second-class.” Hector and Cicely took their seats in the com- | AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE, Cicely then hastened to rejoin Hector Hard ; We, : eee es oe ee ress at the refreshment-table; and they com- | merced their luncheon. THe ordered sherry: bat Cicely said to him, “ You know that I never drink it !’—adding with a smile, “It always tastes to me like antimonial wine !” “What will you have, then ?” inquired Hector. Some Port—wkhich I will mix with water.” “Then I will take Port likewise,” added © Hector : and the command was given to the waiter accordingly. “T am no judge of wine, Port was supplied: _celient.” **Yes—it is very good,” observed Hardress : “and it is a pity that they allow us so shorta time to procuro our refreshments here—for I could drink a pint of this wine to my infinite com- fort and satisfaction.” “What is to.prevent you from having a bottle ” said Cicely when the “but this appears to be ex- partment which the guard of the train was keep- "placed in the railway-carriage ?” asked Cicely. ing for their special accommodation; while Luke | “ You can order some biscuits likewise : and I Corbet —who had received a significant glance should infinitely prefer such a luncheon to this from Miss Neale—ensconced himself in a second. class carriage. The bell rang—there was the usual rush of passengers to their seats—the usual hurrying to and fro of porters and other officials —and then the train moved on. Cicely Neale displayed a most amiable de- meanour towards Hector Hardress; so that it eyen appeared as if she had never experienced a cause to smart on account of any wrongs endured at his hands. She smiled and conversed gaily: she permitted his caresses; and after a while she returned them, just as she was wont to do in past times at the cottage in the neighbourhood of Cambridge. Huardress was completely happy. He had not only freed himself, as he thought, from the persecutions of Cicely, from her vindic- tiveness, and from the consequences of the com- pact signed at Sidney Villa,—but he had got back a mistress whom he liked as such, though he never loved her sufficiently to think for a moment of making her his wife. To him the whole affair was a perfect pleasure-excursion: he rejoiced in the excitement of railway-travelling—he had a handsome and agreeab’'e companion—and he moreover promised himself no small degree of | amusement in duping and cajoling the old aunt at York. On the other hand, Cicely was really in excellent spirits ; success of the deep-laid scheme which she had in hand. Ybe hours passed away; and at length a halt of | about twenty minutes was made to enable the passengers to take refreshments, Hardress and Cicely alighted es well as the rest; and Miss Neale at once sought an opportunity of saying a word to Luke Corbet, unperceived by his master. This opportunity was obtained ; and she hastily whis- pered to the valet, “Mr. Hardress will presently desire you to put a bottlo of Port and glasses in our compartment. Mind that you pour the con- tents of this phial into the bottle! that I have in view depends upon it.” She slipped into Luke’s hand the phial of lauda- num which she had purchased in London on the | preceding evening; and the valet darted upon her a significant look, ‘a8 much as to imply that her instructions should be obeyed to the very letter. ——— Seer we me — ——e eee for she foresaw the complete | Everything $$ cold meat,’ she added, pushing the plate away | from her. “ Besides, I wish to see you enjoy your- self—you shall smoke your cigar—you know that I do not care about it—and the compartment is all to ourselves.” | Hector was delighted to find Miss Neale thus amiable; and he readily agreed to her proposi- tion. “There is your valet,” said Cicely, glancing towards the door, at which Luke Corbet was lounging so as to be in readiness to be summoned, “Bid him place in the carriage all that we re- quire.” Hector accordingly beckoned Luke to approach ; and the instructions were given. When Hector and Cicely resumed their seats in their own com- partment, they found a decanter of Port-wine, a couple of glasses, a paper-bag containing biscuits and cakes, and half-a-dozen cigars, in readiness for use, The train moved on; and Cicely, still with a most amiable smile, said, ‘ Now light your cigar, Hector—and suffer me to perform the duties of cup-bearer.” “Why not say Hebe at once?” asked Hector, likewise smiling as ke paid this compliment, which he followed up with a kiss upon the full red lips of his companion. “You are indeed a kind and most affectionate husband,” she said, laughing gaily; “and you shall see how attentive I can be as a wife.” “And the old lady at York,” added Hector, also laughing heartily, ‘‘shall pronounce us the most loving coupie she ever saw in her life. But are you sure that the smoke will not annoy you?” he inquired as he took up a cigar. “T am no fastidious young lady, Cicely, smiling. Hector accordingly lighted the cigar; while 'Miss Neale began to eat one of the little cakes from the paper-bag. “And now,” she said, “ since I have set myself up as a judge of wine to-day, I will pass my opi- nion or this fresh supply of Port.” She filled a glass—took one sip of its contents | —and said, laughing, “ i don’t know whether it 18 that being in such good spirits ' am prepared to enjoy everything to-day—but really it strikes me » responded — ee er —— qGom ha Gomichbooks -