Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 245: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OB, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. whom he had so mortally offended as to provoke|a dilapidated tower, they came in sight of two it. “TI mean, my dear fellow,” rejoined Egerton, “that there is a certain person who considers him- self ill used and outraged by your conduct; and ~E need only hint that there is a lady in the case ‘4 “Ah!” ejaculated Charles: and then he thought within himself, “‘ I always had some vague notion that the affair would get me into a scrape :’’—for his ideas now at once settled upon Silvio. “I see that I have said enough,’ interjected Egerton; “ and indeed the less that is said in such matters the better. We are proceeding to a con- venient spot—all is settled — everything was ar- ranged in a very few minutes: the other party undertook to provide the weapons—and I at once constituted myself your friend in the matter. 1 believe you are a good hand with the pistol—at least it is well known that you winged Hector Hardress ye “ But how came you to be involved in this pre- sent affair?” demanded Charles: “ who spuke to you on the subject ? who made the arrangements which you speak of P” “Let alone all these questionings,” exclaimed Egerton : “ what matter such particulars? It is sufficient that all has been hitherto well and fairly done. During the rest of the ride tell me what little things you might in any way wish settled, if —you understand me—the worst should happen.” Charles De Vere did indeed perceive the neces- sity of thinking seriously on the point just sug- gested. He found himself suddenly involved in a duel: he was being hurried with the most inde- cent haste to the appointed spot ; and he knew full well that to retreat would be to brand himself with cowardice—while even to demand a delay would render himself liable to some unpleasant suspicion. Still he thought that on reaching the ground explanations might be demanded on cer- tair points, and thus the probability would arise of his self-exculpation from whatsoever offence might be charged against him. But, on the other hand, he resolved to prepare himself fur the worst. He took out his pocket-book, and wrote in it a few lines addressed to his mother and to Agnes: he then closed the book and restored it to his pocket. “If I fall, Egerton,” he said, in a celm col- lected voice, “ you will find that pocket-book about my person; and you will have the kindness to forward it to my mother in England. You will oblige me by adding a few lines of your own, to convey the assurance that it was not I who pro- vokec this duel, and that it must have arisen from a complete misunderstanding of certain circum- stances,” “I comprehend !” said Egerton. ‘ Depend upon it that the affair shall be treated with all possible delicacy, not merely by myself, but by the opposite party.” By this time the hackney-coach was outside the suburbs of Naples; and in a few minutes it stopped under the wall of a ruined edifice, which had once been a celebrated monastery dedicated to St. Nicholas. Egerton and Charles alighted— the coachman was desired to wait—and having skirted the wall, the two gentlemen passed into the midst of the ruins, On turning the angle of other gentlemen at a little distance. “Why, here are Holecroft and Winton !” ex. claimed Charles,—Mr. Winton being also a gen- tleman belonging to the Embassy. “OF course!” said Mr. Egerton, somewhat surprised at the ejaculation. ‘“ Ah, I see!—you are annoyed that they should be before us? Upon my soul, De Vere, you are a devilish fine fellow— and I am proud ot being your second !” * But you have misunderstood me!” cried Charles : “or else 1 must be sadly misunderstand- ing you « “Where is the misunderstanding P” asked Egerton, with renewed astonishment. ‘ There is Sir Alexander Holcroft ? “Ah!” ejaculated our hero, as the true light now burst in upon him, “ The misunderstanding exists in this,” he at once proceeded to say seri- ously and impressively,—‘“ that if it be Sir Alex- ander Holecroft who seeks to provoke me to this duel i ** Who should it be but Holcroft ?”’ demanded Kgerton, almost angrily. “ You seemed just now to understand the matter well enough when I told you that there was a lady in the case vs “ Frankly speaking,” interrupted Charles, “ all my ideas pointed to some one else!” “ Well then, my dear sir,’ said Egerton curtly, “if you are such a desperate fellow in your love affairs that you incur the risk of having half-a- dozen gentlemen down upon you, it is your busi- ness and not mine. The only thing to be said is that you are now meeting one whom you did not expect, instead of another offended party whom you evidently did expect.” “Heerton,” said De Vere, “ your words would be an insult under any other circumstances: but here they are an absolute cruelty! You must not pretend to read what was passing in my mind when just now in the chaise = “Mr. De Vere,” interrupted Egerton coldly, “do you or do you not mean to afford Sir Alex- ander Holcroft satisfaction for the offence which you have givenhim? That is now the only ques- tion ; and I beg that it may be at once decided.” “TY have given Sir Alexander Holcroft no offence,” replied our hero firmly ; “ and before I stand in his presence to risk my own life, or with the chanée of taking his —-” “What is the matter, gentlemen?” inquired Mr. Winton, stepping forward ; and as he was a middle-aged man, cool, sedate, and deliberate, he thought from appearances that there was a mis- take of some kind or another. “IT am called upon,’ exclaimed J)e Vere, “ to fight with Sir Alexander Holcroft fe “Hush, my dear friend!” interposed Mr, Egerton, who stood to a nicety upon punctilios in affairs of honour : “it is my province and duty as your second to hear and answer questions.” “ Well then, Egerton, what is it?” asked Mr. Winton. “I am somewhat embarrassed how to reply,” said the gentleman appealed to; “ for the fact is J thought that my principal Mr. De Vere thoroughly comprehended in the first instance whem he was to encounter here, whereas now it transpires that he expected to meet some one else —and hence the perplexity.” CoOMmiclooolkks a) Oim