Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 207: what you’re looking at

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

a RE a =e CO ee —- S—>s C—O Oe AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE, children experienced the greatest difficulty in tran- quillizing their aged relative: but at length they succeeded, though only by dint of the solemn pro- mise that they would go off to Mr. Wardour and consult him in respect to the best means of getting rid of Mr. Timperley without delay. They accord- ingly departed for this purpose: but before they left the room where this scene took place, Gus- tavus threw Mr. Hargrave’s letter into the fire which was burning there. This matter was accordingly put into an imme- diate train for final arrangement, under the auspices of Mr, Wardour, who introduced the two cousins to the eminent firm of Chancery solicitors into whose hands he recommended that the business should be transferred ; and it was an understood thing that Mr. Timperley should be called upon to give up without delay all the papers and docu- ments in his possession connected with the case of “ Barrington v. Dalkam.” The new solicitors un- dertook to settle Mr, Timperley’s bill of costs, if he should venture to send in such an account, he having all along agreed to conduct the suit as a matter of speculation, himself to be paid only in the eventuality of success: for the reader has al- ready seen that he could very well afford to make such a compact, inasmuch as he was better paid by Sir John Dalham to protract the suit than ke could possibly have been by Mr. Barrington for bringing it to a close. Having transacted their business according to the promise made to their grandfather, the two cousins proceeded to report the issue to the old man—with whom they dined in the prison; for this was a gala-day to celebrate the return of Gustavus, and Winifred took care that the festival should be a bounteous one. On leaving the prison at about five o’clock in the afternoon, the cousins returned to Mrs. Slater’s house, to inquire if the package containing the treasure had arrived P— and they received a negative answer. Gustavus at once suggested that as the package was to come by the luggage-train, according to the advice which Winifred had received from the shipping-agents at Liverpool, it might be a considerable time on the way ; and on its arrival in London it might remain for awhile at the terminus before the carriers’ waggon would bring it down to Aldersgate Street. Therefore, all things considered, it was plain they could not well expect it until the morrow. Gustavus had now to seek out a lodging for himself, as his sense of delicacy told him that he could not with propriety dwell beneath the same roof with Winifred ; and moreover Mrs. Slater had really no accommodation for him. But a lodging was soon found in the same street, and at that worthy woman's recommendation; so that this little matter was quickly settled. And now, on that evening, while seated together, Gustavus began to broach to his cousin a subject on which his mind was bent and his resolve taken. “Tam restored to you, dearest Winifred,” he said, pressing ber hand fondly and gazing tenderly upon ber countenance: “I am eome to be your defender and your protector, that you shall no longer be alone in the world, to encounter its perils and to be the victim of its calamities. Whatever misery as well as whatever happiness there may be in stute for us, we shall share to- gether-——” —— 199 * No, dearest Gustavus,” replied Winifred, gently disengaging her hand, and bending down her looks, over which an expression of anguish flitted; “it must not be! To you am I asa sister : to me you are as a very dear brother!” “ Winifred!” ejaculated the youth, smitten with surprise and grief at a strain of language which j he had so little expected from her lips: “ what mean youP—why cannot this be?” ‘“‘ Because—because,”’ replied the weeping girl, shuddering as if all the ice-chill of December which prevailed out of doors, had suddenly concentrated its bitterness to smite her to the very heart’s core, —‘ because, Gustavus, I have been in a prison— my name is rendered notorious—and though ac- quited, yet there may be some—My God! itis possible !—who believe me guilty !” A convulsive sob for an instant choked her ut- terance ; and Gustavus was about to break in with vehement ejaculations, when she placed her finger upon his lip and said, “ Hear me, my dear cousin —hear me, I beseech you! This that you demand | must not be. Whoever passes through the ordeal | of a felons’ gaol, although subsequently proven in- nocent, nevertheless has a taint upon the reputa- tion which no jury’s verdict nor judicial decision can ever wipe away.” “Winifred, you are driving me mad!” ex eldimed Gustavus vehemently. ‘‘ But answer me, my sweet cousin,” he said, suddenly assuming @ milder manner and a softer tone, for he saw that he had affrighted her: “tell me, Winifred—do you love me?” “‘Ob, God knows how deeply and how fondly I love you, Gustavus!” she replied, clasping her hands in anguish at the thought that happiness was within her reach, and yet that she dared not accept it! “Ob, you love me!—thank heaven that you love me!” exclaimed the youth: “ but yet I never doubted it! You shall be mine, Winifred !—you cannot refuse to bestow your hand upon one who has made every species of sacrifice for you !”— | and here a ghastly expression of remorseful an- | guish for a moment swept over his countenance: but Winifred observed it not, for at the time her looks were bent downwards—a violent struggle was taking place within her. ‘Gustavus,’ she at length said, in a low deep voice, “‘ I had intended it should be otherwise but after all you have done—after the sacrifices you have made on my behalf—-—you have a right to command and I obey !” A wild cry of joy burst from the youth’s lips; and the image of Emily Pinnock, which for a mo- ment had risen up before his mental vision, was again forgotten in the fulness of his present hap- piness. He strained his cousin to his breast; and as Winifred’s head reposed upon his shoulder, she said, “ But are you sure, Gustavus, that the day can never, mever come when you will repent of this? Suppose that our grandsire should become ricb, and that he should leave us wealthy—will not your spirit be chafed and your soul be galled if you see the world looking eoldly on your wife Pp” “Coldly ? it is impossible!” ejaculated Gus« tavus. ‘ You are innocent, Winifred—and thai is sufliciont! If the world look coldly upon an innocent person, the svoner we renounce such & ” 4 CoOMmiclooolkks Oim