Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 110: what you’re looking at

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

102 AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE, some countenance became all in a moment illu- minated with confidence, she cried, “Ob, yes! I believe you!—it is impossible that such as you could be criminal !” - “ Thanks, lady, whoever you are !—a thousand thanks .for those generous words !” and Charles spoke with a gushing enthusiasm ; for he was in- deed in the position of one to whom an act of friendship had become of most vital importance. “Hasten !” said the quadroon,—‘“ hasten to bring your horse hither!”—and she was tripping towards a gate at the extremity of the fence, when Charles, suddenly inspired with a chivalrous thought, ejaculated, “Ah! but if I should com- promise you P—if this place should be searched ? Perhaps you may be living alone x * Now I know that you are an honourable young man!” exclaimed the quadroon,—“ even if 1 had before the slightest doubt upon the sub- ject! You are generous—and generosity is good- ness! No—I do not live alone. I am married —— my husband is here u “ And you are taking all this responsibility upon yourself ?” cried Charles. “Oh, yes!” rejoined the handsome creature ; and it struck our hero for a moment that a smile of pity or contempt passed over her moist red lips. “Come! come! or you will perhaps be pursued and captured! As for searching this house, let anybody dare attempt it—and never trust mo if we do not give our enemies & warm reception ! But here are the stables.” Charles De Vere had flung a look of gratitude upon the quadroon for the assurance she had given him that she took upon herself the responsibility of the present proceeding—thereby meaning, as he supposed, that she would answer for the con- currence of her husband: and now it was a look of wonder and admiration which he threw upon her, as-she seemed to display the courage of a heroine and talk of resisting an assailing foe, The stables were reached; and Charles found three beautiful horses in ¢he stalls, one of which was evidently meant for the uso of the lady herself. With the utmest readiness she had taken a lan- tern from the shelf and lighted it,—but at the same time summoning a domestic by the unmis- takable English name of John. “Tho groom has retired to rest some while,” said the lady to our hero; “for it is eleven o'clock,” she added, glancing at a beautiful little watch attached to a superb gold chain that fes- tooned over her bosom. “Yes, maam! Coming, ma’am!’ exclaimed ® somewhat gruff voice from a loft which was reached by a ladder from the harness-room ad- joining the stable. Is anything the matter, ma’am?P Them alarms again—or them freaks and disturbances i “ Hush, John!” eried the quadroon somewhat sternly ; ‘and make haste to come down and put up the horse of a gentleman—an English gentle- man—a friend of our’s—who has just arrived.” In avery few moments the groom made his appearance, half dressed, and at first with a very sleepy look: but he quickly opened his eyes as wide as ever in his life they were opened, on be- holding an individual in the uniform of a police- officer. “Ab, ma’am! so they’ve come at last—have they P” exclaimed the groom ina woo. begone voice. “T always thought it would end in this! I knowed it! That last night’s business——” “Silence, sirrah! silence!” interrupted the quadroon in a peremptory manner, and her bril- liant black eyes darted forth shafts of angry light- ning : but instantaneously regaining her self-pos- session, she said mildly, and even with kindness, “You are foolish, John, to give way to these idle fears and speak thus unguardedly: you might lead persons to entertain singular ideas concerning us— as if we really stood in terror of the police-autho- rities !” Charles De Vere could not help thinking there was something very strange in the remarks made by the man and the observations which they had now elicited on the parf of the quadroon herself : but when he again flung a look upon her counte- nance, he could not for another instant suppose there was anything wrong with regard to her, As for the groom, we should observe that he was an elderly man, short and thick-set, and with a comical expression of countenance, which however denoted p ’ good-nature of disposition as well as simplicity of mind. “ Do not ask any questions, John,” resumed the dusky complexioned lady; ‘‘ but see thaé you follow my commands to the very letter. Carry this military saddle up into your ownroom, Yes —and the bridle likewise. Let no one peneotrate thither, at your peril! Cover up this horse with the cloths : and if any one should by chance enter the stable, fell him to the ground if he should stretch forth a hand to lift the cloths and exa- mine the horse! In conclusion, keep a still tongue in your head,” The groom—who had been dividing his looks between his mistress and our hero, gazing with profound respect upom the former and with no small degree of curiosity on the latter—signified by a low bow and a few words that the instructions he had just received should be faithfully adhered to. “ Follow me, sir,” said the quadroon, now turn- ing to Do Vere, “It would be as well for you not to show yourself in front of the house.” Thus speaking, she opened a door leading out of the harness-room, and conducted our hero into a back-yard—and thence into the house itself. She led the way into that very room on the ground- floor where he had seen the light burning, and from one of the casements of which his beautiful hostess had first emerged. She now hastily pro- ceeded to closo that casement ; and approaching Charles, she said, “‘ If you wish to have an imme- diate change of apparel}, you shall be provided with it : but if you mean soon to retire to rest, it will perhaps be needless.” “Tt is needless for to-night,” responded Charles. “ But, Ob, Madam! how can I express my grati- tude “Enough!” interrupted the quadroon, laying her finger upon her lip: “I have as yet done nothing for you: I see that you require the ad- vantage of friendly offices—and these you shall assuredly receive at my———I mean at our hands. Wait! you aro hungry! The servants have ro- tired to rest—but I willsee what the larder can do for you.” Charles was again about to express bis fear that oO Comichboo SEO 5}