Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 191: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. you at her abode — and I was resolved not to re- cognize you as my daughter until [ should have obtained the fullest certainty of your worthiness. And that was why I was in no hurry for a few weeks to assert my claims formally to the Govero- ment; for I was resolved that if as the result of the measures which I adopted to fathom your true character and pursuits, I should have found you unworthy, [ would bave sacrificed all earthly titles and riches rather than have rendered you the sharer of them. But, Oh! my dear Agnes, you are in every way worthy of all my most cevoted love as your parent; and [ am as proud as [ am fond of you! But Jet us again speak of Wiaifred. You say that ber grandfather's conduct has been eruel and harsh?” “ Yes—after all the sacrifices which she made on behalf of her aged relative,” replied Agnes. “Tt is a very great secret, father but of course IT can tell it to you a very great secret indeed! To no other living soul would I breathe it, unless with Winifred’s consent. But her name is no longer Barrington % : “ Ah! then she is married ?” ejaculated Ormsby. *Yes—married, and without her grandfather’s consent; and her husband is the son of his most bitter enemy. Ina word, she is Mrs. Dalham!” “But surely the old man will not prove unre- lenting ?” “Alas, I fear that he is very vindictive,” re- joined Agnes. “There was a terrible scene when Winifred announced this marriage to her grand- sire a day or two after his release from prison. The old man first gave vent to cries of rage and execration; and then he fell down in a fit, the blood gushing from his mouth; and for three days he never spoke. Winifred attended him as assiduously and unweariedly as if bis conduct had been of the kindest and most generous description tuwards her, and as if she had nothing to dread in bringing him back to life agaiuv. But when he regained his consciousness, it was only to over- whelin her with reproaches and to drive ber from his presence. Since that day his door has re- remained closed against her. Yainly has she en- deavoured to obtain admittance.. And I must tell you, my dear father,” added Agnes, “ that I my- self called upon Mr. Barrington to intercede on his granddaughter’s behalf; for I was present at the marriage ceremony which took Place last February “ And did Mr, Barrington resist even yosr en- treaties, Agnes P” asked Ormsby. “ Alas, yes! — and Winifred is overwhelmed with grief! She will shortly become a mother i “And where does she live?” inquired Ormsby. *“‘ She occupies a neat little residence in Kentish Town,” answered Agnes. ‘“ Her husband is with her as much as possible 4 “What! does he not dwell with her alto- gether?” inquired Ormsby, in astonishment. * No; for Sir John Dalham suspects not his son Roderick’s marriage ; and all the concession which Winifred could possibly obtain from her grand- father, was that the secret should be kept. Rode. rick Dalham would not for the world that the marriage should come to his sire’s ears!” “Ab! then, Sir John Dalbam is as much irri- tated against Mr. Barriegton as Mr. Barrington can possibly be against the Baronet ?” ; lawyer, 183 * Quite as much,” answered Agnes. “ It seems to be as deadly a rancour in respect to the hearts’ feelings as it has been a fierce struggle in the arena of the law-courts.” * And when is the great Chancery suit to bo decided P” asked Lord Ormsby, “Tn a few days judgment will be pronounced,” replied Agnes. ‘“ Mr. Roderick Dalhem feels sure that the sentence will be given against his father ; and as Sir Jolin is in a very enfeebled state of health —indeed I believe confined to his bed Roderick dreads the effect which any sudden ex- citement, particularly if it be of an evil character, may have over him.” ** So that if the loss of the lawsuit,” observed Ormsby, “happen to be accompanied by the know- ledge that Roderick was secretly wedded to Wini- fred, the old Baronet would sink beneath Ah!” he suddenly ejaculated, ‘ who comes ?” The pariour-door opened; and Mr. Timperley made his appearance. “T beg you a thousand pardons, my lord,” said the lawyer, with a very obsequious bow. “ I need not ask whether my young friend Agnes is happy in having found a father? Or perhaps I ought to call her the Hon. Miss Evelya——” * Might I ask, Mr. Timperley,” interrupted Lord Ormsby, with a cold severity of look and tone, “ what brings you hither at this particular moment ?” ‘“‘T have received setters from my niece Cicely,” answered Mr. Timperley : “ they arrived by this mornoing’s post—but I had not found leisure to open them before I was honoured with your lcrd- ship’s presence at noon. ‘The packet contained a letter for Miss Evelyn; and as it happened that some little business was bringing me up into this quarter of the world, I thought that I might just as well become the bearer of the letter and avail myself of the opportunity to pay my respects to Miss Evelyn.” ‘“T am much obliged to you, Mr. Timperley,” said Agnes: but her manner was reservod and dis- tant—for within the last hour or two she lad heard more of the lawyer’s real cheracter than she had ever known before or could possibly have sus- pected. “T think you will find,” said Mr. Timporley, as he handed the letter—and he did not choose to suffer it to appear that he perceived any SEE is in the manner of Agnes towards himself,—“ 1 think you will find that Cicely tells you she has sent you twoor three beautiful specimens of Italian sculpture, the arrival of which you may expect in due couree. She knows that you are attached to the fine arts vs “Tam exceedingly obliged to Mrs. Hardress,” said Agnos, her tone becoming completely friendly while she was thus alluding to Cicely, “ for think ing of me.” There was then a brief pause, duriug which Mr. Timperley fidzetted about close by the door, with bis hat ia his hand ; for he bad not been invited to sit down, “My daughter is very much obliged to you, Mr. Timperley,” said Lord Ormsby, “ for becoming the bearer of the letter: but we a you will now excuse Us,” “Oh, certainly! cartainly!? exclaimed the “JT can very well ‘addetdnd that you Ghook (©) ‘ co S|