Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 190: what you’re looking at

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

182 AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. Ormsby ; “and from all I have learnt concerning him, he is a chivalrous-minded, high-spirited, well- principled young man. I long to make his ac- quaintance.” “Oh, I am rejoiced to hear you speak thus, dear father!” exclaimed Agnes: “for i am sure that you will be well pleased with Charles De Vere. Would you like to see the letters that he bas from time to time written to meP They are here!” Agnes started up from her seat by her father’s side; and hastening to open a writing-desk, she produced a packet of letters tied round with a piece of silk. With the most ingenuous frankness she advanced towards her sire, saying, “‘ Take them, dear father, and read them at your leisure. I know Charles will not be offended that i gave you his letters to read. But—but,” she added, whilea modest blush again overspread her countenance, “be sure to restore them to me, dear father !” “ Adrsirable girl!” exclaimed Lord Ormsby, folding her to his breast: “ what joy, what happi- “ness thus to find so much innocence and virtue in the child who is restored to me! 2’o—not for worlds would [ read those letters, Agne.!' I know that you are incapable of permitting tle addresses or the corresponaence of one who is unworthy of you; and therefore I am convinced there is not a line in those letters on which the eye of purity itself may not linger lovingly. But I will tell you what I purpose to do, Agnes,” continued Lord Ormsby, while his daughter replaced the letters in the writing-desk. “I intend to set off for Italy, and make myself acquainted with Charles De Vere. But that is not my only motive. It is evident, from what he has communicated to you concerning Floribel, he either knows where she is to be founc, or be may obtain some clue to the se- clusion into which she bas retired. Erring though she be, I cannot forget that she is my niece—the daughter of my wife Honoria’s sister!—and it is my duty to do all I can to reclaim her. Yes—she must not be suffered to remain abroad in the world by herself, either an outcast in her own esti- mation, or else perhaps esposed to fresh tempta- tion! No, no! this must not be! Your erring cousin shall be restored to you; and we will sustain her in whatsoever good resolutions she may have formed, in the same way, that we may likewise minister to ker mental tranquillity and happi- ness !” The reader may easily comprehend how joyously welcome were these assurances to Agnes who so dotingly loved her cousin Floribel. For a mo- ment her spirits were damped by learning that she was about to be separated from the father to whom she was only just restored: but triumphing over this feeling, for the momentary selfishness of which she blamed herself, she expressed her warmest thanks for the interest manifested by her sire on Floribei’s behalf. “And when do you think of departing, dear father?” she inquired, “In a few days, Agnes,’ he responded. ‘I must not immediately tear myself away from you. Besides, there are certain little forms and cere- monies which I have to go through at some of the Government offices in asserting my claims. The business will be quickly settled:—of this there is no doubt ; and fortunately I have no difficulty in procuring the funds that J require for my imme- diate expenses. Otherwise I should indeed be poor: for the money which I had about me when I landed in England, was not a very formidable sum, I can assure you. I must tell you a coinci- dence, Agnes. Reverting for a moment to that period whereof we have been speaking—I mean Dineteen years ago—there was at that time a fashionable gentleman about town, of the name of Stafford, who courted my acquaintance go soon as. he found that I claimed the titles and estates of Ormsby. Ah! I remember full well, it was he who introduced me to an aristocratic and exclusive club where first - was welcomed as a brother- peer by some of the proudest nobles of England! Well then, this Mr. Stafford now holds a high Government appointment in one of the very offices through which my claims must pass. I made myself known to him almost immediately on my return to England: I threw myself upon his friendship—in confidence I told him everything. His conduct has been most noble: his purse has been open to me—and it is now through his in- fluence that my business will be expedited toa prompt issue.” “Oh, how I rejoice, my dear father,” exclaimed Agnes, “that you should have found so kind a friend !” “ And now. tell me, Agnes,” said Lord Ormsby, “about Winifred Barrington. When I called upon her on my first arrival in England, I promised to return: but so many matters have since occu- pied my attention, that I have been unable to fulfil my pledge. Aud perhaps there was another reason ” “Then you do not know, father,” said Agnes, “that Winifred’s cousin Gustavus came over from Jamaica?” “What! again P” ejaculated Ormsby. “Yes. He must have followed close upon you, dear father ; for if I remember right, it was the very next day after you called on Winifred that Gustavus presented himself; and then his wife appeared “Ah! the quadroon Emily !’’ cried Lord Ormsby. “She followed him, you say?” “Yes, father; and there was a most unpleasant scene—and the quadroon took her husband away with her. They have not since been heard of or at least I believe not. But I have not seen much of Winifred lately “s Agnes stopped short; and Lord Ormsby said, “T have neglected that poor young woman in not calling upon ber again according to promise, I happened, however, to see a paragraph in the newspaper to the effect that Mr. Barrington was liberated from the debtor’s prison in which he had so long languished; and I therefore suppose that his affectionate granddaughter is residing with him P” “ Alas, no!” answered Agnes in & mournful tone, “The truth is, my dear father, that poor Winifred is very unhappy, and also very unfortunate. I cannot help thinking that the conduct of her grandfather has been most cruel and harsh towards her 4 “Tam sorry to hear this, Agnes,’’ interjected Lord Ormsby. “I have felt interested in that young person; and to tell you the real truth, I should have called upon her long ere this, only that I thought it probable I might encounter oO Comichook 5}