Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 202: what you’re looking at

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

194 —_— -——_— ‘you demand ?” asked the nobleman, in a tremulous voice. “T require and demand the same treatment at the hands of yourself and Lady Mendlesbam as if I had been a bride of your own selection for your son Hector! I require that with the least possible delay you shall see Hector, receive him in your arms, and tell him that he is pardoned! I require your lordship and Lady Mendlesham to visit us at our house at Bayswater, and to make it known throughout the entire circle of your ac- quaintance that. you are not merely reconciled to your son, but that on knowing your daughter-in- law, you find her to be in every way worthy of the family into which she has entered! As for money, I care nothing! I brought my husband thirty thousand pounds as a dower; and at the death of my uncle, who is wealthy, [ myself shall be rich. Now, my lord, you know my require- ments and my demands:—are they to be con- ceded ?” The nobleman had found leisure during this long speech to ponder each detail as it progressed, and to make up his mind how to act. Accord- ingly, when Mrs, Hardress had finished, Lord Mendlesham at once said, “Cicely, I yield! I consent! [ acknowledge you as my daughter-in- law. All yoa have asked shall be fulfilled!” He presented his hand, which Cicely slightly touched with her ips: it was a mere form on her part—for she knew that this reconciliation was something extorted, and not a spontaneous efllu- AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. morrow the carriage of that nobleman and his — wife would drive up to the house—and within a few days the entire aristocracy would learn that | the reconciliation was complete. Then all the connexions and friends of the family would call to pay their respects to the Hon. Mr. and Mrs, Hardress ; and Cicely’s pride would be in every sense vindicated and gratified. As she reviewed all the circumstances which had tended to elevate her to the pedestal on which she now found her- self standing, she experienced a glow of exultation at the ingenuity with which she had combined her various plans, as well as at the indomitable perse- verance with which sbe had carried them out. Al- though a woman, she felt proud of possessing the strength of the most masculine mind; and she had indeed good cause to exult in the energy of her character. ' Hector returned home at about eleven o’clock, little suspecting the joyous tidings which awaited him. These were speedily imparted; and he em- braced Cicely with a sincere fervour. She said nothing of his sister Josephine: she had arranged with Lord Mendlesham, previously to taking leave of him, a tale to account for the sudden change in the sentiments of himself and her ladyship. Hector was too much rejoiced to be very pointei in putting bis questions as to the means by which the reconciliation had been brought about; and for the came reason he was easily satisfied with the explanations given by Cicely. Everything took place according to the agree- — ence from any benevolent kindness on the part of | ment made between Mrs, Hardress and Lord the nobleman, Mendlesham. ‘That nobleman and his wife called “Tt cannot be until to-morrow,” he said, “that | on the following day ; and within forty-eight hours I may present you to your mother-in-law: for I have now a very painful task to perform—I must break to her the frightful intelligence you have brought—I dread the consequences—she will be overwhelmed with grief and despair! But does Hector already know everything P” “He knows nothing, my lord,” replied Cicely ; “and if you desire it, he need never know of his sister’s shame.” “In the name of heaven, keep it from him!” cried the nobleman, thankful for the assurance he thus received. ‘I know his fiery spirit—he would at once seek to inflict condign vengeance upon the villain Theodore Clifford “Fear nothing, my lord,” interrupted Cicely: “T promise you that Hector shall continue in ignorance of this calamity. But remember that to-morrow you are to see him; and it will be for yourself and Lady Mendlesham to maintain such a demeanour that he may suspect nothing.” “Yes, yes!—we must indeed dissimulate,” re- plied the nobleman, “not only before him, but be- fore the world likewise!” » it was known throuzhout the fashionable world that the family reconciliation was complete. The consequence was soon demonstrated by the stop- piog of numerous carriages at the door of the house at Bayswater; and the elegant papier maché tray on the table of Cicely’s drawing- room was speedily filled with the cards of the elite of the nobility and gentry resident in Lon- don. CHAPTER XXXIII. THE TREASULE.—THE ARRIVAL. Aeyres Evyetyy—though overwhelmed with dis- tress, on account of the discovery which she had made that her cousin Floribel was not united to Theodore Clifford in matrimonial bonds—did not however forget her sympathetic feelings on behalf of Winifred Barrington. She had from the very first believed that Winifred was innocent, though After a little more conversation, Cicely took her | she was utterly unable to fix her suspicions on any departure from the mansion of her father-in-law ; | one else as the murderer of Mrs, Chicklade. Agnes and re-entering the cab which had broughi her | was a firm believer in the truths of religion and in thither, she ordered herself to be driven home. | providential intervention; and thus to her devout That interview with Lord Mendlesham bad been along one; and it was past seven o'clock when Cicely reached Bayswater. Hector had gone out to dine; and she putiently awaited his return. She had every reason to congratulate herself upon the success of her plans: the height of her ambi- tion was attained—she was already acknow!edged as Lord Mendlesham’s daughter in-law—on the and confiding mind the acquittal of Winifred in the face of such strong circumstaatial evidenee, appeared to be heaven’s own interposition on be- half of the innocent. Accordingly, no sooner was Winifred released from prison, than Agnes sent her a message desiring her to come to Sydney Villa; and she purposely prepared a considerable quantity of high-priced work to give to the poor Gomichbooks | | : ——