Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 379: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. it shall end!” she added, suddenly starting up to her feet: “the secret shall no longer lie like a weight of lead upon my soul!” The resolution to which Winifred had just come, inspired her with fortitude, and even conjured up the animation of happiness on her countenance. She drew forth from her bosom that little velvet bag of which we have before spoken: she pressed it to her lips—and then, as she replaced it in the corsage of her dress, a sunny smile remained play- ing upon those lips. Winifred now became anxious to ascertain to what extent the visit of her cousin and his qua- droon wife was known in the house, and the nature of the impression it had made: but she soon dis- covered that Mrs. Slater had not yet returned—that her grandfather was seated up-stairs in the draw- ing-room busied with some books and newspapers, and that he had overheard nothing to make him suspect anything peculiar or unusual was taking place. After a little reflection, Winifred resolved not to tell the old man that Gustavus was in Eng- land and that be had been at the house. She knew it would only excite her grandfather, and make him ask a thousand questions in respect to the cause of his sudden disappearance again without paying his respects to his old relative. And then, too, Wini- fred fancied that it was more than probable that since Emily had so suddenly appeared, she should not very shortly see either of them again: at all events she felt that if the contrary should prove to be the case, it would be time sufficient to make what revelations she might think fié to her old grandsire. Tn the afternoon the carriage was ordered: and Winifred took her grandfather for a tour about the Parks. She was endeavouring to amuse his mind as much as possible—to keep him in an excellent humour—and at the same time to make him feel that her presence was indispensably necessary to his happiness. She conversed with a degree of gaiety that she was seldom wont to display; and she was pleased to observe that her grandsire’s mood was full of cheerfulness. They called at Sidney Villa, and found Agnes Evelyn at home. Most cordial was the welcome which they received on the part of our beautiful heroine. It was the first time that Agnes had ever seen Mr. Barrington —the first time also that he had.ever met the young lady of whom his granddaughter had so often spoken in the most affectionate and grateful terms. Agnes was unfeignedly rejoiced to greet the aged man on his liberation from so lengthened a captivity ; and she inquired how it had happened with so much suddenness, and at least a couple of months sooner than had been expected according to what Winifred had said when she and Agnes last met? “ A gentleman from Jamaica,” responded Wini- frei, in explanation, “ arrived suddenly yesterday morning ; and he brought from my cousin Gus- tavus the deed which for seven long months had been wanting. This same Mr. Hargrave bad on some former occasion displayed a certain degree of interest in our bebalf—no doubt on account of Gustavus, for whom he had conceived a friend- ship.” Having passed an hour at Sidney Villa, old Mr. Barrington and Winifred rose to take their depar- | 371 tily whispering in the ear of her friend Miss Kvelyn, “I am resolved that this day shall not pass without the revelation of everything to my grandsire !” “Heaven grant, my dear Winifred,” replied Agnes, likewise speaking in a whisper, “ that all may turn out for the best !” Significant looks and kind pressures of the hand were exchanged between the two young ladies; and the kindhearted Rachel was waitiog on the threshold of the villa to proffer her con- gratulations to Mr. Barrington and to speak a friendly word to Winifred. When the old man and his granddaughter were again seated in the carriage, the footman stood awaiting further orders; and Winifred desired that the equipage should now return to Aldersgate Street. “Not yet, my dear,” said Mr. Barrington,— “not yet! I should like to extend our drivea little, and round about this neighbourhood too.” “This neighbourhood, my dear grandfather 2” said Winifred. ‘ Why this neighbourhood P” “T’ll tell you presently, my dear. Let the ear- riage drive on.” Winifred could offer no remonstrance in the pre- sence of the domestics ; so the lacquey sprang up to the box and resumed his seat by the side of the coachman. The equipage drove onward, ia- stead of retracing its way into London; and Mr. Barrington kept looking from the windows, exe claiming, “‘ Good heavens, what changes hare taken place !—how altered is the entire scene!” “And why, my dear grandfather,” asked Wini- fred timidly, “ have you come up into this neigh- bourhood ?” * Do I not know,” exclaimed the old man, “that my mortal enemy has a beautiful villain this district? Yes, Winifred !—twenty-six years azo when I was first consigned to a gaol, all this neighbourhood was but comparatively dotted with houses ; and now there are whole lines of habita- tions and streets and terraces—and amongst all the beautiful retreats which during that interval have sprung up here, I know from all I have heard that none is more charming than Sir Joho Dalham’s villa! Ab, Winifred! can you guess why I was this moment enabled to mention that hated name with a certain degree of calmness ? It is because I know the day of retribution to be nigh! I can now wait patiently for it—I can look forward without excitement to its approach ; and then, Winifred,—the» what vengeance will there be i A low moan escaped from the young lady’s lips, as she threw herself back in the corner of the carriage: but her grandfather noticed it not. * And then what vengeance there will be,” he went on to say, “ for all the wrongs of the past! Yes—yes ! Winnie, there shall be vengeance! My enemy, the bearer of the accursed name of Dal- ham, will be ruined; and who can tell but that even the very villa itself which we are now ap- proaching may become our property? I wish to look upon it—to behold it—to see what it is like —to gloat over it as if it were at something that must sooner or later come into my hands!” Another moan, somewhat louder and more pro- longed than the first, came from the lips of Wini- ture; and Winifred found an opportunity of has-| fred; and this time her grandfather noticed it, EE eee OE te ee BS Oe ee ee ee eee comiclooolkks.€ Oim