Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 236: what you’re looking at

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

228 AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. Theodore Clifford, I deliberately and positively but I must live—my disposition 1s such that I can. affirm that it is in no way exaggerated. You shall not live unless it be luxuriously—I could not face judge for yourself. Accident one day threw into poverty— and there is no earthly thing in the form my way his pocket-book, in which I found several of honest labour or honourable employment to letters. One was from a young lady whom he | which I can turn my hand. I know therefore had seduced while privately paying his addresses! what my career must be—and I shall! accept it!” to her © Ploribel, you are talking in a strain which “Ts this possible ?” exclaimed Charles, indig- fills me with great affliction !” ejaculated De Vere, nantly. _ wondering likewise why she should be thus boldly “T tell you that I read the letter with my own | candid and hardily frank in all her avowals. eyes,” responded Floribel. “Ido not know who “‘T am sorry that I give you pain, Charles,” she the young lady is—there was no signature to the said, with a sort of indolent tranquillity ; © but letter heaven knows she had reason enough | remember that it was not I who sought this inter- for observing the strictest caution, as her parents view—it is you who have come tome. For my- were unacquainted with her position at the time self I would have avoided it ; and of this you have she wrote—though they can scarcely be so any had a proof. But still I knew that we should longer, for ere this she must have become a mother! | meet ; ; and I made up my mind that if this were I gathered from the letter that she belongs to a/| the case, I would enter into the fullest explana- high family—a family bearing a proud title and tions, I will tell you wherefore. It is that you enjoying great consideration in the world. That may henceforth avoid the society of one who feels she herself was well-educated, was evident from herself to be unworthy of your notice !—it is that the style in which she wrote: that she was amiable, you may pass me by in the street without acknow- affectionate, and loving was likewise demonstrated ledging me, ard likewise without fearing that you by that letter. And this young lady had been will give offence by thus leaving me unnoticed ! basely seduced by Theodore Clifford; and she was And it is also that I may be spared all moral lec- in a way to become a mother at the very time tures—all entreaties to turn away from the path when he poured forth the protestations of love and on which I have entered—all those representa- devotion in my ears! Now, Charles, is not thisman tions, remonstrances, intercessions, and prayers, a villain?” with which Agnes has no doubt already charged “Tt is indeed dificult to find a term too severe you, should you happen to fall in with me to be applied to such conduct,” responded our| “This very day, Floribel,” interjected Charles, hero. “ Bat still, Floribel, you are living with a | “have I received a letter from Agnes; and in that man whom you appear to hate—whom at least you | letter your name is mentioned in terms the most scorn and despise oe affectionate, but likewise the most sorrowful: for “That is the second point on which I was about | she knew that you were coming to Italy.” to speak,” resumed the young lady. “Ihave not| ‘“ Yes—we had a parting interview, and I told suffered Theodore Clifford to suspect the extent to’ her so,’’ observed Floribel. which I am acquainted with his iniquities: I have a She beseeches me to see you,” continued De dissembled somewhat. And why? you will ask. | Vere,—“ to implore that you will either insist that As a matter of policy. For the present I am! Theodore gives you the name of wife, or that you totally dependent upon him—I have no money of | will at once abandon him ‘fs my own at least none that I choose to toucb,| ““ Did I not foresee,” interjected Floribel, some- for I have given Agnes everything which I myself | what impatiently, “ that all these representations, might claim; and therefore, as I could not go’ remonstrances, and entreaties would be made ? forth into the streets and beg, I have been com- But they are useless, Charles ; and [ would seek to pelled to remain with Cliffurd, He does not love avoid them. This is why I have dealt so frankly me with any sincerity of sentiment: I know per- | with you. Perhaps in the same spirit I may con- fectly well what his feeling is :”—and then after a | fess that I grieve—yes, grieve bitterly—at having brief pause, and with a slight colouring of the| severed the ties which bound me to my cousin; cheeks, Floribel added, “Theodore likes me just as but the evil is done, and it is irreparable! I any gay and profligate libertine likes a handsome | know what I am; I know what I must continue mistress.” to be!” “ Heavens, Floribel !” exclaimed Charles, in ac- ** No, Floribel !” cried Charles; “ you must not cents of affliction, “ what an existence is this | continue to be a degraded and disgraced creature! which you are leading ! Ob, how different from | Leave this Theodore Clifford! If you will not the time when happy and innocent, in the so-| return to your cousin, my mother shall give you a ciety of your amiable cousin, at your picturesque | home—I know she will—I can confidently promise villa x it “Do not allude to those times!” interrupted ‘Enough, Charles!” interrupted Floribel: “I Floribel quickly: “ do not allude to thuse circum- ‘ thank you—but it must not be. I will go nowhere stances! My destiny is cast; and I have accepted to bring disgrace and shame on those who receive it. Ob! you have yet to learn, Mr. De Vere }me. This I wish to be thorougtly understood ; or I beg pardon for this formality; for as you are | and if I am dealing so frankly with you, it is that to marry my cousin, I may continue to call you you may tranquillize the mind of Agnes on my Charles as you call me Floribel—— But I was | behalf I mean you may give her to understand about to say, Charles, that you do not know how | that it is useless for her to agitate and distress altered my mind has lately become, and how philo- | herself on my account—but that henceforth she sophically I now look upon things in general. Of | had better look upon me as one dead !” course I cannot blind myself to the fact that I} Agnes will never cease to be interested in may never hope to bear the sacred name of wife; you!” exclaimed Charles vehemently. “ Do you GComicbooks, com oe