Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 181: what you’re looking at

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graye: and he imperiously waved his hand to- wards the door. ‘* No—we cannot part thus!’ said Gustavus in an anguished tone. “Toave me, L say!’’ exclaimed the misan- thrope authoritatively: and he at once resumed his writing. Gustavus lingered for a few moments: then with a profound sigh he turned and issued from the room. Slowly did he wend his way back towards Mount Pleasant; and it was not until again in the society of his beloved Emily that he could console himself for the exceedingly unpleasant nature of this last interview with Mr. Har- grave. Several days passed: the youth continued to be as infatuated as ever with the beautiful quadroon, who studied her utmost to indemnify him by her own caresses and proofs of love, for whatsoever vexations he might have under- gone. Mr. Pinnock remained in profound ignorance of the. discovery of the box: he, however, fre- quently alluded, to it; and on those occasions Gustavus felt as if he must throw himself at the merchant’s feet and confess the entire truth. But he dissembled his emotions, though it cost his conscience a bitter pang as the conviction was forced upon him that he was daily and hourly losing more and more of the natural frankness of his disposition, and was proportion- ately becoming experienced in the artifices of hypocrisy. As for the box itself, it remained in the cup- board where it was concealed; for Gustavus found no means of conveying it secretly to a ship that it might be forwarded to England. During these few days which thus elapsed since his last interview with Mr. Hargrave, he did not again see that gentleman. ——_— CHAPTER XXX. THE BRIDAL DAY. Ir soon became known in the neighbourhood that Gustavus Barringcon was shortly to con- duct Miss Pinnock to the altar; and many of the leading families called at Mount Pleasant to ! pay their civilities towards the young couple, as well as to form thesacquaintance of the bride- groom himself. Gustavus was pleased with the attentions thus shown him: he was likewise proud of the admiration which was invariably testified in homage of the beauty of his intended. Mr. Pinnock treated him as if he had known him-from his birth: indeed the worthy merchant | displayed towards the youth a paternal attach- ment. The preparations for the bridal were making progress: and Gustavus looked forward with pleasure to the day which would give Emily the title of his wife. But did he write to his cousin and uncle in England, to acquaint them with his contem- plated marriage? No—he dared not. Amongst the few little drawbacks to his happiness, was the idea that Winifred would regard that mar- riage of his as an inconstancy towards herself, and that both she and the old man would con- sider he had abandoned them by settling himself in a far-off clime. Each day did he vow to take some step in order to transmit the box of gold to his rela- tives, as the best proof he could afford that he had not forgotten them, and as a salve likewise AGNES ; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. fland and pressing it with fervour. SSS ah to his own conscience in respect to Winifred. But something always transpired to prevent him from adopting that course. His walk with Emily was prolonged—or visitors arrived to offer their congratulations on the approaching bridal —or else (which was indeed the main obstacle) the youth knew not how to convey the box into Kingston and ship it on board a vessel, without attracting some notice or exciting some suspicion. At length, as Gustavus was one day rambling forth alone, he suddenly encountered Mr. Har- crave. At first he stood full of confusion ; and the misanthrope himself did not immediately speak. ‘‘T have not seen you, sir, for ten days,’ said Gustavus, at last breaking that embarrassing silence. “‘T suppose that I have not chanced to walk in the same spots whither your footsteps led you,’ responded Mr. Hargrave drily ; ‘‘ but if you had really wished to see me, you might have sought me at my residence. ’ ‘T was fearful—after our last interview,’ faltered Gustavus, “that I had so sunk in your estimation ‘We will not discuss past matters again,”’ interrupted the misanthrope. ‘You have for- given Emily Pinnock—you are going to marry her—the preparations are making for your bridal —and as you cannot now in honour retreat from your pledge, neither should I attempt to dissuade you from the engagement. But what have you done with the gold ?”’ ) «* Ah, my dear sir!’ ejaculated Gustavus, mel am now as much embarrassed with that trea- sure as if 1 had dishonestly become possessed of it!’ ‘Of course you are! How could it possibly be otherwise 2” demanded Mr. Hargrave. ‘But in this instance I am willing to assist you—for the sake of your grandfather and your cousin who may be suffering the pangs of poverty in England.’ ‘Oh, if you will do this,” cried Gustavus, “you know not how infinitely I shall be obliged to you, and what a weight will be lifted from my mind !”’ “Tis well,’’? said the misanthrope: “I have promised to succour you—and I will do so. This night, precisely at twelve o’clock, I will send a trustworthy person to receive the box. At that hour he shall be under your casement: you will be in readiness—and you will lower down the box by a rope. By the adoption of these pre- cautions no one in the house besides yourself need be aware of what is being done. To- morrow the box shall be shipped at Kingston for conveyance to England ;—and to-morrow like- wise you can write your letters of advice to your erandfather and your cousin.” “Tn every respect you are a friend to me exclaimed Gustavus, seizing the misanthrope’s ‘**Oh, my 1? 2? dear sir, think not ill of me ‘Enough!’ interrupted Mr. Hargrave, some- what abruptly withdrawing his hand. ‘Ah! by the bye,’’ he continued, “* you remember that the other day when you purposed to leave Jamaica, I told you I should have a letter to send by you to England. I will give you that letter to-morrow—and you shall enclose it in the one which you are to write to your grand- father. Do not be surprised when you find that it is addressed to old Mr. Barrington him- self i ‘To my grandfather ?” ejaculated Gustavus, in astonishment. COMniclooolkxs OimM