Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 369: what you’re looking at

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

es ~~ ee ata lite ee sel el” cede tsa Sealy ——-— : SSS ! Whi 4 oy =. =| abe Py? s. = = Widths a “se, : ays AGNES; O2, SEAUTY AND PLEASURE, ; SS Bou \\} ; My Wi! 3) \| ane, NN a mY Mh 4 Ih ‘| nh aS N r \ “ i NN Wi Ny i ‘ S —— . \ Ny | Wty IN! i I SS ae Ths news epread like wildfire that the old pri- sover whose captivity bad endured for more than a quarter of a century, was at length about to bid farewell to the living sepulchre in which he had been so long entombed. The other prisoners be- longing to the same compartment of the gaol, thronged about Mr. Barrington ostensibly to proffer their congratulations, but most of them being influenced by the more selfish motive of pay- ing their court to him so that they might come in for a share of whatsoever good things it was bis purpose to dispense in celebration of the event. Mr. Robus however kept on suggesting “ that there was many a slip between the cup and the lip;” and he advised the old man to take every- thing as calmly as if there were going to be no release at all. Indeed he even went so far at one time as to express bis conviction that there would arise some hitch at the last moment: but Mrs. Barrington was not to be disheartened by the mise givings of his cynical friend. “ At all events,” said Mr, Robus, “there’s one part of all your prophecies which is not this day destined to be fulfilled.” “And what is that ? what is that, eh?” inquired the old man, half nervous with joyous excitement, and half petulant at this fresh instance of churl- ishness on his friend’s part. “ Indeed it is not exactly a prophecy that will remain unfulfilled,” rejoined Robus; “but it is an oath that will be violated.” * An oathP an oath, Mr. Robus? What do you mean sir?” exclaimed old Barrington: “an oath to be violated by me? Ah! you allude to the dinner that I promised to giveP Well, well—I had not forgotten it : it shall be given to-morrow Mrs, Slater shall superintend it all ss “T wasn’t alluding to the dinner—I wasn’t Slater spoke so positively on the point that Mr.| thinking of it!” exclaimed Robus; “and the truta No. 46.—AGNEs. conmiclooolkks.€ Olin