Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 66: what you’re looking at

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

. ewe _—— a He 58 the cousin whom she loved: for the simple wreath of flowers was in strong contrast with the ghastly grinning skeleton ! Floribel now seemed cesirous to abandon the topic: she had felt the necessity of relieving her mind of the species cf weight which the dream had left upon it: but when this task was accom- plished, she was equally anxious to turn away from a disagreeable subject. Agnes was also ready to direct the discourse into a more cheerful channel; and she remained for an hour by the bedside, until Floribel signified her intention to rise and dress herself. Agnes returned into the garden to give way to her reflections, The dream appeared to her most extraordinary ; for according to her own theory, there must have previously been the lurking con- viction in Floribel’s. mind that she was too much addicted to the vanities and frivolities of life: or bow could the impression have been conjured up in her brain when she slept? and how could it have embodied itself in the form of a fantastic allegory? That Floribel comprehended and appre- ciated the true character and disposition of Agnes, was likewise apparent; or else this idea could not have also found its typical representation amidst te phases of the vision. Thus, for some personal easons, Agnes was pained by the incident; but fur other considerations she was rejoiced, inas- much as she sincerely hoped the dream would produce a lasting beneficial effect on the mind of Dloribel. At about one o’clock in the afternoon of that day, Winifred Barrington called at Sidney Villa to deliver some work which she had finished, and to receive some other materials to make up. Floribel was now lying indolently upon the sofa in the boudoir: Agnes was engaged in reading some in- etructive work. Winifred was introduced into the presence of the cousins,—Fluribel taking little notice of her, while Agnes addressed her in the kindest manner. Winifred was by no means beautiful ; she could scarcely even be called pretty: but her appearance was very interesting. There was a mildness in her blue eyes, and there was a softness in her voice, which went irresistibly to the heart that beat with generous sympathies. And such a heart was that of Agnes. She had been told by Rachel that Winifred was an orphan, and that she was devoted to an aged grandsire who had long been the inmate of a debtor’s goal; and this narrative was in itself sufficient to enlist Miss Evelyn’s warmest interest on Miss Barrington’s behalf. Indeed, tears of gratitude came into Wini- fred’s eyes when she found how kindly Miss Eve- lyn spoke to her—how the young lady expressed the utmost satisfaction at the work which Winnie had brought home—how she could not think of pay- ing so moderate a demand as that which the seam- stress made for her labour—but how she insisted upon doubling the price—and how with the most considerate delicacy she turned aside to wrap up the money hastily in a little piece of paper, and then gently glided the packet into Winifred’s band. “ Havo you walked all the way from your abode, *liss Barrington ?” inquired Agnes. The response was iu the affirmative. “What! with that large band-box and bundle?” exclaimed Miss Evelyn. “Ob, then I am eure a AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. you must stand in need of rest and refreshment— and you shall have both !” Ringing the bell, Miss Evelyn consigned Wini- fred to the care of Rachel,—assuring the young seamstress that by the time she had recruited her strength the other materials which she had come to fetch should be in readiness for her. A hur- riedly whispered instruction to Rachel from the lips of Agnes, informed the good-hearted servant- woman how Miss Barrington was to be treated: she was not therefore taken to the kitchen, but was conducted to the breakfast-parlour, where a tray covered with refreshments was speedily placed before her. Miss Evelyn then purposely delayed looking out the promised materials, in order that Winifred might have the longer interval to refresh and rest herself. At length, when Agnes began to address herself to that task, a visitress arrived at the villa. This was Cicely Neale, who was shown into the drawing-room; and thither Floribel at once repaired, Agnes intimating that she would follow in a few minutes. Miss Lister was rejoiced that some one had thus arrived to break in upon the gloomy feeling which her dream had left behind it ; and the wel- come she gave Miss Neale was therefore exceed- ingly cordial. Cicely not merely owed a call to the cousins at Sidney Villa; but she iikewise had a special object of her own to serve—namely, to discover whether a certain person was indeed led to visit at that place by any tender sentiment and if so, to which of the two cousins his addresses were being paid. We should observe that Cicely knew nothing of the recent duel; for the whis- pered rumour thereof had extended but throuzh- out a very limited circle—and Mr. Timperley had said not a syllable upon the point to either bis wife or niece. After some general conversation with Floribel, Miss Neale thought of turning the discourse in the channel which she hoped might serve her pur- pose. She began by asking Miss Lister if she did not feel dull living in such a comparatively seeluded neighbourhood ? —to which question Floribel re- plied, with a languid air, that the time certainly hung heavy on her hands occasionally, but that they were not without visitors. Cicely, with a smile, begged Miss Lister to run over the cata- logue of these visitors,—adding, “ You must not think me impertinent: but as I mean, with your. permission, to call upon you frequently—and as we are to be very great friends, you know—I am anxious, to learn whom I may have a chance of encountering here.” “ Many, if not most of our friends—especially the lady-ones,”’ responded Floribel, “ are likewise acquaintances of Mrs. Timperley. But I think we have some few who are not known to your uncle and aunt. Jor instance, there is Lord Mervyn,” she continued,—“ the eldest son of the Earl of Willsborough $ « What sort of a person is he ?” asked Cicely. “ Not a very bright young nobleman,” replied Floribel : “he has not much to say for himself— and is very fond of repeating his words. The Hon. Mr. Clifford is infinitely more agreeable. Then there is Mr. Lowden—very well connected and very insipid. We used to be visited also by the Hon. Mr. Hardress Ah! and then there is Mr. De Vere, who though only a government —_— Ccomilcelooolks rr rn ee ee (0)