Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 196: what you’re looking at

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i —— | aga 188 to become disgusted with the monotony of a re- tired life. The deep reverie of the Hon. Mrs. Hardress was presently interrupted by the en- trance of the footman, who was dressed in a plain but neat livery ; and he said, “If you please, ma’am, Luke Corbet requests the favour of a few minutes’ interview.” “Ah! I daresay,” observed Mrs. Hardress, with an air of careless indifference, “ he comes for a reference as to character ; and I will there- fore see him.” The footman retired ; and in a few moments Luke Corbet made his appearance. He bowed low, and looked to see that the door had been closely shut by the retiring footman. “Well, Luke,” said Cicely, “ what tidings have you for me ?—and are they good?” *“ As good as you could wish, ma’am,” replied Luke. “Selina has broached the subject—and the young lady has agreed. Indeed, it was high time—for it cannot possibly be put off any longer. 1t is only a wonder how it could have been con- cealed so long a “And you are certain that she agrees P” in- quired Cicely with mingled anxiety and exulta- tion ; though she instantaneously composed her feelings and became placid as before. “She cannot do otherwise than agree, ma’am,” rejoined Luke; “and she is deeply grateful. Selina told her everything that I had suggested — which was according to your instructions, ma'am cD “Yes, yes,” said Cicely: “I have no doubt that this Selina of your’s, after all you have told me, is astute,» wary, and trustworthy. Besides, her own interests are so deeply concerned + “To be sure, ma’am,” said Luke. “ We have been engaged for a considerable time—but we had not saved enough to dare think of marriage until your goodness began to open a better pros- pect” “ And now, Luke,” interjected Cicely, “ there will be nothing to interfere with the crowning of your wishes. Ina short time you aud Selina may marry: you will have a pretty little capital to begin the world with. Or you can both go into the same service in some family—you as valet or butler, your wife as housekeeper—where married persons are not objected to.” “To be sure, ma’am,” responded Luke. “I re- presented all this to Selina; and therefore she en- tered into the scheme. It is only now for you to say when it shall be carried out.” “T will leave London to-morrow,” rejoined Cicely ; “ and they may come if they like the day after. But you are sure that the house at Hastings is in every way fitted for the reception * ““T have already assured you, ma’am,” replied Luke, “that your instructions were completely attended to. You know I have never deceived you iu aby respect, nor misrepresented anything H ““No—you have always served me faithfully. But there is still one point on which I entertain certain misgivings. I allude to the possibility of a sufficient excuse being invented ~ “You have nothing to fear, ma’am, on that head,” exclaimed Luke. “Selina assured me that her young mistress could easily devise the means for absenting kerself from home for six weeks or a couple of months.” ee — ee i —_ AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. “Then, in that case,” said Cicely, “everything is settled. I repeat, I shall leave London to-+ morrow. By the bye, I am to be Mrs. Han- bury ?” “ Precisely so, ma’am,” responded Luke, with a significant smile; “and your visitress is a Mrs. Colebrook.” * Good!” said Cicely. leave me.” The man bowed on receiving the gold which Cicely placed in his hand; and when he had quitted the room, an indescribable look of mingled triumph, commiseration, and malicious vindictive- ness swept over the countenance of Cicely. “Poor girl!” she murmured to herself; “she is amiable, I am told—and yet I must sacrifice her to my own interests! But it is impossible in this world to succeed in the accomplishment of one’s selfish aims, without crushing the feelings of others. If I behold a superb flower in the midst of a parterre and desire to possess it, I must trample en some of the smaller flowerets in order to make my way towards the object of my fancy.” Cicely now waited patiently until her husband returned—which was not much before midnight ; and he was somewhat surprised to find that she was sitting up for him—for this was the first time she had done so. *T hope you have enjoyed yourself, my dear “Hector ?” she said, welcoming him with a smile. “ Perfectly,” he responded, with an equal degree of good-humour. “Tam glad of it. We did not merry to make each other miserable, nor to be a coercive check upon each other’s actions. You have the advan- tage over me: you have society—and I have none. Nevertheless, the more you enjoy yourself the better I shall be pleased ;—and I wish, by the bye, that you would to-morrow purchase that horse to which you took a fancy, and of which you spoke this morning.” * You are very good, Ciceiy,” answered Hector. “T wish you yourself could devise some means for your own recreation—something by way of a change " * An opportunity has presented itself,” rejoined Cicely, “1 have this evening received a visit from an old schoolfellow of mine—a lady who is mar- ried, and settled at Hastings. She has insisted that I should pass a few days with her; and 1 therefore think of accepting her proposal.” “By all means!” said Hardress. “ When do you purpose to set off ?” “To-morrow morning,” was the reply,—“ unless you have any objection ?” * Not the slightest!” exclaimed Hector. “On the contrary, I am truly and sincerely glad that you have this opportunity of obtaining a little re- creation, Where can I write to you if I should have anything to communicate ?” “To the care of Mrs. Hanbury, Mowbray Villa, near Hastings. She tells me that it is a beautiful little place—a mile and a half from the towa— and quite secluded—a charming retreat indeed. And Hastings, you know, in this December season, bas a climate as genial as that of Brighton.” “Tam sure you will enjoy yourself,” rejoined Hector. “But you will return before Christ- mas P” “Take this—and now Gomichbooks ‘ _ = SE