Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 155: what you’re looking at

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

| ’ dows. ay » ‘>! at i AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. 147 head,” observed Cicely; “for you did not drink so very much wine after all. I had my skare of it. as you know; and it produced not the slightest effect upon me.” “Then it must have been an effusion of blood,” rejoined Heetor. “TI will consult the family phy- sician when I get back to London. But how was I got to the hotel ?” “uke and I placed you in a hackney-vehicle,” answered Cicely; “and we brought you hither. The moment the chaise stopped at the door, out came the waiters. ‘Can I have apartments,’ I said, ‘for my husband and myself, and for our domestic P’—The response was immediately in the aflirmative.—‘ My husband Mr. Hardress is very ill,’ I said: ‘he has had a fit, to which I regret to say he is liable: but he will be well in a day or two.’—The waiters assured me that every atten- tion should be paid you: you were borne into the hall; and there the landlady herself came forward to render her succour.” * You told Luke,” said Hector, “to keep up the story that we were man and wife ?—for previous to our setting off I had only just hinted to nun = “T really said nothing on the subject,” inter- rupted Miss Neale. “I could not look the man in the face and tell him such a thing—although he knows very well that I am travelling with you as your mistress. But you best know whether he is discreet or not ?” “Ob, he is discretion itself!” rejoined Hector : “and now that I bethink me, I gave him sufli- cient instructions Besides, even if I had not, the fellow would not run out of his way to let the people of the hotel into the secret. Whenever a gentleman travels with a lady in this way, she al- ways passes as his wife.” “Well, then, there is no fear,” said Cicely, as if completely reassured, “ But now compose your- self to sleep—and you will be better in the morn- ing.” There was already a drowsiness coming over Hector Hardress: he yielded to it; and in a few minutes he again slept profoundly. When he next awoke he found himself alone: but the light of day was now shining brightly in at the win- Cicely, with her toilet only half achieved, emerged from an adjoining dressing-room, on hearing Hector move in the couch; and throwing her arms about his neck, she inquired how he felt. “A little better—but only a little,’ he an- swered. “I have a strange heaviness in the head re *“ Another sign,” ejaculated Cicely, “ that it must have been an effusion of blood! Remain in bed—I will see about your breakfast almost im- mediately—and I will pass the whole of the day with you in this chamber.’’ Miss Neale hastened back into the dressing- room, where she speedily finished her toilet: and | she then rang the bell for one of the servants of | the establishment. A chambermaid soon appeared : said, ““My husband is too il to up to breakfast: he will take it im bed. Will you not, dear Hector P”’ “I think I had better, my dearest wife,” re- sponded Hardress, who thought it requisite to ap- pear as uxoriously affectionate as she seemed bo be get and Cicely | | better that he expressed his ability to partake of The chambermaid inquired what the lady and gentleman would like for their breakfast P—and Cicely gave her the needful instructions. “What a strange sound this Yorkshire dialect has!” observed Hardress, when the young woman had retired, “It is not unlike the Scotch.” “By no means unlike,” replied Cicely; “and I have often heard the same thing remarked be- fore.” The chambermaid soon reappeared: she spread the breakfast-table; and Cicely hastened to sup- ply Hector with his repast. He however felt sick at the stomach, and could scarcely force himself to swallow two or three mouthfuls of toast; though he was faint for want of food. He how- ever drank a considerable quantity of tea; and this beverage refreshed him somewhat. Scarcely was the breakfast over, when there was a gentle tap at the door; and Cicely hastened to see who was there. It was the landlady, who had come to inquire after Hector’s health. As she was an elderly matron, Cicely at once asked her to walk in; and the landlady, advancing into the middle of the room, said, “I hope, sir, you find yourself better this morning P” “Why, thank you, the tea has refreshed me a little,’ replied Hector; “but still, as I was just saying to Mrs. Hardress ve “His head is still very bad,” said Cicely ; “and even the slightest sound makes i¢ ache worse. I mean to keep him quiet all day in this chamber.” “That’s right,’ said the landlady. ‘But do you not think, ma’am, that medical advice i “My wife will tell you,’ exclaimed Hector, * that I cannot endure the sight of a doctor——’’ “That is perfectly true,” interrupted Miss Neale : then hastily turning to the landlady, she said, “* Leave us now ; for talking only makes his head worse.” “T am going, ma'am,” replied the landlady. * But permit me to observe that every attention which can be shown ry “Yes, yes—I know it; and I thank you,” in- terjected Hardress. ‘‘ My wife has told me how kind you were last night——” The landlady’s countenance suddenly wore a singular expression—as well it might, on hearing herself thus thanked for something she had not done; for she was in bed asleep when the guests arrived at the hotel. Cicely hastened to escort the worthy matron to the door; and as if closed behind her, Hector said, ‘“‘ Well, on my soul! tho more I hear the people of this establishment “speak, the more I am struck by the peculiarity of the Yorkshire dialect. I did not think it was like what I find it to be.” “ It is indeed peculiar,” answered Cicely. Hours passed on: Hector remained in bad— and Miss Neale sat by the side of the couch, conversing with him, or reading to him from a book which she had found in their sitting- room. At length it was time to think of ordering dinner; and Hector now found himself so much something at that repast. He proposed to sum- mon the chambermaid : but Cicely exclaimed with alaugh, ‘* What ?—do you imagine she will know anything abont the larder? Let us ring for the waiter.”’ | fondly tender. | . | The bell was accordingly rung: the chamber. coniielooolkks.c Olin