Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 192: what you’re looking at

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

SS SS sss st TT ' that you might vot have called yet AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. 184 must have plenty to say to each other. I hope I am not intruding, my lord! I scarcely fancied that I should have found you here I thought ”? *“T have been here for the last two hours, Mr. Timperley,” said the nobleman, with a look and tone sufficiently indicating his desire that the lawyer would take his departure. “Tam sure,” said Timperley, keeping his ground near the door, but still fidgetting about with his hat,—“ I’m sure I wish you both all possible hap- piness and prosperity. Miss Evelyn will tell you, my lord, that Mrs. Timperley and myself have always to the utmost of our power shown her every attention—and likewise to her cousin, poor dear Floribel; and if anything had ever happened to place either of them in want of a home, they would have found it with Mrs. Timperley and my- self.” * T am obliged to you for these assurances,” said Ormsby; “ but it is fortunate that my dauch- ter, ué least, has not required any other home than that which her own means haye enabled her to afford.” Mr. Timperley could not possibly find an excuse for obtruding his presence any longer: he there- fore bowed and took his leave. “That man,” said Lord Ormsby, as scon as he and his daughter were again alone together, “ did not come merely to bring you the letter.” “You think not, dear father ?” said Agnes in- ‘ genuously. ““ No—I am convinced that he had another mo- tive, and that the letter was the pretext. He could have sent you the letter by post. But he wanted to see how he would be received if he pre- sented himself at Sidney Villa: he was anxious to know whether I would enter so far into the details of the past intrigues, as to make you think dif- ferently of him than hitherto. He is full of cun- ning, that man! It is his interest to penetrate as deeply as possible into the concerns of all with whom he comes in contact. It is by these means —by knowing precisely what every individual thinks of him—by being aware of the extent to which his past iniquities may be known in differ- ent quarters—that he shapes his course. Ina word, it is vitally necessary to the species of morbid existence which he leads, that he should obtain as great an insight as possible into all the affairs that are passing around him. But read that letter, Agnes,’ added Lord Ormsby; “and see whether it be really of any importance.” The Hon. Miss Evelyn broke the seal of the epistle, and perused its contents, “It is nothing of any importance,” she said. “Tt is a very kind and friendly letter; and it con- veys the intimation already given us by Mr. Tim- perley in respect to the Italian marbles.” “Ah! when I betbink me,” ejaculated the nobleman, “‘how was it that Mr. Timperley ob- tained access hither just now? Are not your ser- vants in the habit of introducing visitors in a be- coming and proper manner?” “Most assuredly, my dear father,” rejoined Agnes, “ And now that you mention it, I myself am surprised that Mr. Timperley should have en- tered unannounced. I will go and inguire.” Agnes accordingly left the apartment; and in a few minutes she returned, saying, “No one saw Mr. Timperley, at all: he neither knocked nor rang. But Corinna now remembers that she lefé the front door open when she introduced you, my dear father, into the house.” “And thus,” said Ormsby, “ Mr, Timperley walked in unceremoniously,—doubtless apprehend- ing that if he addressed himself to a seryant he would be informed that you were engaged, and his object in seeking our presence when we were to- gether would have been defeated. We must be- ware of this man.” After a little more conversation, Lord Ormsby affectionately embraced his daughter; he also took leave of Corinna; and he issued from the house. Proceeding to the nearest stand for public vehicles, he took a cab and ordered the driver to proceed to Aldersgate Street. ughting at Mrs. Slater’s house, he inquired if Mr. Barrington were at home. The reply was in the affirmative; and Lord Ormsby said, “ Be pleased to introduce me to Mr. Barrington’s presence.” “T must take up your name first, if you please, sir,” said the servant-maid; “for Mr. Barrington is very particular as to who he admits,” “ Ah, I perceive!” thought Ormsby within bim- self; “ he is afraid lest Roderick Dalham should procure access to him !— Well,” he continued, addressing himself to the girl, “you may say a gentleman named Hargrave wishes to speak to Mr. Barrington.” The servant disappeared for a couple of minutes —at the expiration of which time she returned for the purpose of ushering Lord Ormsby up into the drawing-room, where Mr. Barrington was seated. The nobleman now beheld for the first time the ex-prisoner of Whitecross Street. Mr. Barrington looked very thin, pale, and ill; he stooped more than ever—and his emaciated frame had lost that wiry vigour which was wont to characterize it. He looked eighty years of age: that is to say,-about nine or ten years older than he really was. He rose feebly and with difficulty from his chair as the visitor entered the room; and extending his hand, he exclaimed in a voice which was querulous and petulant in its tones, “ Walk in, Mr. Hargrave—walk in. I am glad to see you, sir! I have to thank you for more than one act of kindness. Pray sit down. You sent me the warning letter about that rascal Tim- perley—and you brought over the document which was necessary to get me out of prison.” “I hope I find you in good health, Mr. Bar- rington,” said Lord Ormsby, as he took a seat. * Good healti & answered the old man, now with an unmistakable querulousness in temper as well asin tone. “I never shall be in good health again. How canJ, after a long imprisonment— and »? ‘ “TJ miss a countenance,” interrupted the noble-- map, “ which I expected to behold here, I allude to that most excellent of young women—one who made so many, many sacrifices for you—whose very Dame has almost become a proverb with all who happened to be acquainted with the history of your imprisonment a “ Well, well, sir—we won’t speak of that,” in- terrupted old Barrington. “ You will take some wine, Mr. Hargrave ?” Ormsby refused; but the old man insisted so much that he ultimately said he would aceept of ee ee eee