Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 206: what you’re looking at

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

em a TS 198 household.” . " “Yes, and to the son himself!” added the valet in an under-tone, which was however in- audible to the lawyer. Meanwhilo Roderick Daiham had arrived at Mrs. Slater’s house in Aldersgate Street. Spring- ing from the cab, he~knocked at tho front door, which was instantaneously opened by the worthy landlady herself; for she had seen the arrival from the window of her little parlour. “Well, Mr. Dalham,” she ejaculated; “ what news? But Ah! I need not ask you!” “The decision is on the right side,” exclaimed Rodoritk, whose countenance was expressive of a magnanimous joy: “truth and justice have pre- vailed! But how is he?” and then an expression of the utmost suspense appeared upon his fea- tures, “Better, better!—improving rapidly!” cried Mrs. Slater. An ejaculation of joy burst from Roderick’s lips; and ke sprang up the staircase to the cham- ber where his wife, the devoted Winifred, sat by the bedside of her aged grandsire, who was sleoep- ing. °Tis won!” cried Dalham: and Winifred pre- cipitated herself into his arms, Ob, my dear husband!” she murmured, “ how generous is your heart that you can rejoice on his account ”—and she glanced towards the old man —“‘at a result which impoverishes your own father !” * You forget, my dear Winifred,” he whispered, “that I am now discarded and disowned! But even if it were otherwise, it would be all the same; for it is a matter of rejoicing that right and jus- tice have prevailed at last !” “Tiush! he sleeps!” said Winifred, sgain glancing towards the couch. * Tell mo—tell mo, dearest,” interjected Rode- rick, “think you that when he awakes again it will be to consciousness P” “Ob, I hope so!—and I think so!” rejoined Winifred. “He recognised me just now—he murmured a few words—but i could not exactly catch their meaning “ “ Ge is awakening now!” said Roderick. “Oh, if ho should regain the full power of his intellects, what happiness to communicate to him these joyous tidings !” ‘Happiness indeed!” added Winifred, in a tose replete with a concentration of all the ten- derest emotions. The old man was now opening his eyes: his granddaughter bent over him—a smile appeared upon his countenance—and raising his hand, he caressed her face, murmuring feebly yet audibly, * Denar, dear Winnie!” Mr. Timperley had not deceived Sir John Dal- ham when he told him how he had heard on the preceding night that old Barrington was in astate of unconsciousness beyond all hope: but at an early hour in the morning the old man had rallied somewhat; and during the last few hours his me- dical attendants had been enabled to speak more cheerfully concerning him. This much the reader nay bave gathered from the rewarks made by Mrs, Slater aud also by Winifred. AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. to communicate Sir John’s death to the rest of the $$ Winifred’s heart as her grandsire, on opening hid eyes, recognised her, patted her on the cheeks, and spoko endearingly unto her! She sobbed and wept in the fulness of her emotions; and the ol? man said, “Don’t cry, Winnie—don’t cry! I have been very ill—have I not? It seems to me as if my mind had been a blank——” “Yos, you have been very ill, dear grandfather ; but now, if you will not excite yourself—if you will only let me nurse you—and if you will lie perfectly quiet, you will soon get well. Ah, dear grandfather! don’t you remember that the other evening you said you would receive Roderick ? And ho is here !” “Tho other evening P” ejaculated the old man —for he was thus suddenly reminded that some time might have passed—though he knew not how long—during which his mind, as he expressed it, had remained a blank, A gleam of intelligence | shot vividly across his wan countenance ; andina tone which derived its apparent strength from the powerful excitement which at the instant seized upon him, he said, ‘The lawsuit, Winnie? the judgment? Itis to be pronounced this Term!” ‘“‘ Tt ¢s pronounced, my dear sir!” said Roderick, stepping forward and taking the old man’s hand. “Yes, i6 is pronounced!—and you But pray be calm! I beseech you, be calm!—while I proffer you my sincerest congratulations ——” é “ Hnough, enough!” and Mr, Barrington sank back upon the pillow from which in bis excitement he had partially raised himself; then he pressed Roderick Dalham’s hand; and looking up in his countenance, he said with a sort of wonder, “ Did I hear rightly ? or did my ears deceive me? You —you—a Dalham—congratulating me, a Barring- ton !” “Oh! pray, my dear sir,” cried Roderick, “acknowledge me as one of your family now! for my own father has discarded me !” “Discarded you?” ejaculated the old man. * Why—what He “ He has discarded me, sir,” rejoined Roderick, “because I loved your granddaughter, and because I have espoused her!” “Ts this so?—is this so?’ asked Barrington. “Your father has disowned you P” “ Yes—it is all too true!” murmured Winifred: “but youw therefore, dear grandfather, must acknowledge him!” *T will—I will!” responded the old man, ina voice that was quivering with emotions. The door now opened gently; and Lord Ormsby looked into the chamber. He had been a regular visitor there since the memorable evening when the old man was smitten with a sudden illness; he had therefore made Roderick Dalham’s acquaint- ance; and he knew how he had been disowned by his father. ' “Ah!” said the nobleman, af once perceiving that Mr. Barrington had completely regained his consciousness, and comprehending likewise that Roderick Dalham had been acknowledged and wel- comed by him; “affairs are altogether taking a most prosperous turn! Your restoration to health, Mr. Barrington, will bring smiles to many a lip; and I suppose that I may now congratulate you i ‘ “Yes,” . said Winifred; “he knows thet the And now what a thrill of joy shot through laweuit is ended!” oO S nn) Eo Ehboo (E(0) |