Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 214: what you’re looking at

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

At this moment the guest who had previously been awaited was announced; and Mr. Timperley said, ‘‘ Well, gentlemen, there is nothing to de tain us—the party is complete—and I think we may set off.” As he slowly looked around, he met the keen eyes of Mr. Devon which were riveted upon him; and a certain sensation of uneasiness crept shudderingly over Mr. Timperley. Not that any definite cause of fear suggested itself, beyond the notion that probably the will was to be disputed: but for this Mr. Timperley in reality cared very little, as he knew that it was perfectly valid, and that the disinheritance of Sir Roderick by his father was a deed which, considering the circum- stance of his marriage so entirely against his sire’s wishes, would be sanctioned by the law-courts. Nevertheless though entertaining so strong a con- viction on this point, Mr. Timperley could not help quailing beneath the searching regards of Mr. Devon—for the simple reason perhaps that con- science, when making men cowards, fills their minds with vague fears and unknown terrors ;— and of a surety the conscience of Mr. Timperley was not the purest nor clearest in the world! The coffin was conveyed down to the hearse; and Sir Roderick Dalham undisputedly took his position aschief mourner. Indeed, Mr. Timperley not merely resigned the post with an appearance of the most delicate readiness; but he likewise took such a modest piace in the procession as it issued from the house, that it led him to occapy a seat in the third mourning coach. Indeed, he had carefully studied to avoid being in the same vehicle with Sir Roderick Dalham: but he now found himself precisely opposite to Mr. Devon, whose keen looks appeared to be fixed more scrutinizingly than ever on the countenance of the quailing lawyer. Mr. Timperley plucked up bis courage as the procession moved away; and he tried to browbeat Mr. Devon with his regards,— riveting his gaze fiercely upon hiw, as much as to say, “Why do you stare at me, sir?” Mr. Devon’s eyes did not however wink; but they slowly withdrew their looks, the whole demeanour of the individual being perfectly calm and self- possessed. “ A very melancholy occasion this, Mr. Devon!” said Timperley, now adopting a conciliatory bear- ing. “ Melancholy for whom, sir?’ asked the in- dividual thus addressed, “ For Sir Roderick Dal. hem? If this be your meaning, it és a meolan- choly oecasion:”* — and he spoke with a calm severity of voice. “Ob, of course! of course!’ said Mr. Timper- ley, fidgetting nervously with his black gloves, which be had not as yet put on: then again pluock- ing up his presence of mind, he said, “ You knew the late Sir John, I presume P” “JT have seen him, sir,” was the curt response. “Only I was thinking,” proceeded Timperley, “that I never had experienced the pleasure of meeting you before at the villa.” “Perhaps not, sir,” said Mr. Devon; and then he stared fixedly at the lawyer for a few moments; but again withdrawing his looke as if there had really been nothing significant in the survey, he AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLBASURE, “You are a friend of Sir Roderick’s, [presume P”” said Timperley after a pause. “If I did not know Sir Roderick,” rejoined Mr. Dalham, “I should searcely be here on the present occasion.” “Hem!” said Mr. Timperley, now nervously drawing off one of those gloves which he had just puton. “A lawyer, [ presume, sir?” “What makes you think so, sir?” asked Mr, Devon. “Come, sir,” said Timperley, bending still far- ther forward and speaking in a still lower tone go as not to be overheard by the other mourners pre- sent in the coach; “ there ought to be profes- sional confidence between us. If there is to be any legal squabbling, let it bo conducted in a straightforward manner, You know where to find me: I shall not run away , *‘T don’t suppose you will, sir,” answered Devon; and again his keen eyes flung forth a glance of mysterious significancy at the lawyer, who quailed and shrank in spite of himself. ‘ But you afte mistaken, Mr. Timperley: I do not belong to the same profession as you do.” Having thus spoken, Mr. Devon again looked out of the wiadow, with the air of one who did not wish to prolong a discourse in which he was made the object of a disagreeable catechising. Mr. Timperley—half under the influence of a vague terror, and half enraged at the person who would not satisfy his curiosity—evuld scarcely prevent him- self from asking, ‘Then pray who the deuce are you, sir ?”’—but he bit his lip and held his peace. The place of sepulture was soon reached ; and during the ceremony it twice or thrice struck Mr. Timperley that as he furtively looked towards Mr. Devon, that individual’s eyes were riveted keenly upon him, so tbat it actually seemed to the af- frighted and bewildered attorney as if those eyes were never lifted off him. At length the ceremony was over; the mourners returned to the coaches—and the way was taken back to the villa. This time Mr. Timperley purposely avoided being in the same vehicle with Mr. Devon ; and when no longer under the influence of that person’s keen searching eyes, he said to himself, “ After all, it was very foolish on my part to be intimidated or annoyed by the fellow! He can do me no harm; and as be says he is not a lawyer, there is not even any objection that he can raise to the will. He is doubtless only a witness whom Sir Roderick has brought with him.” The villa was reached; and as Sir Roderick alighted from the first coach which drew up, he exchanged a rapid glance of significancy with the valet James Nasb, who slightly nodded his head in token of an affirmative. The company of mourners ascended to the drawing room, where cake and wine were served up, according to custom, on such occasions ; as if the saddest ceremonies must neces sarily be imbued with more or less of the spirit of merry-making from the guzzling and wine-bibbing habits of the higher orders! A few of the guests partook of a little refresh- ;ment; batit may be observed that neither Mr. Timperley, nor Sir Roderick Dalham, nor Mr. Doron, advanced towards the sideboard. Perhaps they each thought that it was necessary to keep turned them in a leisurely way towards the win: | their beade clear for whatsoever business might be dow eee teh ee ee ne ee on hand ; though whether Mr. Devon himeelf had ' oO Ghoo co Sj im)