Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 215: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. any special object in being of the party, remains to be seen. “Now, gentlemen,” said Mr. Timperley, “if you will be kind enough to take your seats, I will lose no time in communicating the contents of the lamented Sir Jobo Dalham’s will.” Sir Roderick was the first to place himeelf at the table ; and he unhesitatingly took the upper seat, as if he were the muster there. Mr. Devon modestly took the lowest seat; and vhe other guests sat down without reference to any parti- enlar degrees of order Mr. Timperley unlocked a writiog-desk which had just been brought in by one of the footimen; and he produced a sealed packet, Then, placing himself on Sir Roderick Dalbam’s right hand, he proceeded to break the seal,—saying, “ Gentlemen, you are about to learn the testamentary wishes of the deceased friend whose remains we have just consigned to the tomb.” “But perbaps there may be others,” said Sir Roderick Dalham, “ who are interested in hearing this will read:”—and while the words were still floating from his lips, he rose from his seat and rang the bell. a Se etieetinntaeteedl 207 igure, Sir Roderick, that if it were your wish for these gentlemen to be present, 1 could not pos- sibly entertain the slightest objection. On the ‘contrary, 1 am glad to meet them. There are some with whom | have long been acquainted— my brother professionals for instance:” and Mr. Timperley endeavoured to smile jocosely. The brother. professionals, however, to whom he alluded, did not seem to be at all inclined to place themselves on familiar terms with that individual: for they only bowed coldly and distantly, “1 will proceed, gentlemen, to read the qill,” said Mr. Timperley: and now, as he slowly looked around him, his eyes were again met by the keen regards of Mr. Devon. Timperley had forgotten him for the last few minutes, during the excite- ment produced by the entrance of the creditors; and now he was reminded of his presence with & suddenness and a vividness that carried an Ominous and nervous sensation to the lawyer's heart. His lips were observed to quiver and his hands trembled as he unfolded the testamentary ' document; and holding up his double eye-glass, | he affected to study the contents of the paper for “ Others, Sir Roderick ?” ejaculated Timperley, |a few moments—but it was really to gain time his brows corrugating with an access of rage. “ What does this mean? Who pretends to be the master here P” “ Not I assuredly, Mr. Timperley,” responded Dalhbam. “ From the day of my father’s death, until within these two hours, I have not crossed the threshold of the villa. But though I do not affect any authority which [ have no right to ex- ercise . Sir Roderick’s speech was abruptly cut short by the throwing open of the door of the drawing- room ; and it was the valet James Nash who made his appearance, simply saying, “ Some gentlemen, if you please, Sir Roderick.” “Gentlemen ?” echoed Timperley: and leaning with bis two hands upon the table as he kicked back the chair from which he had started up, he bent forward with eager looks to catch the first glimpse of those who were about to enter. There was the tread of several footsteps up the staircase; and behold! a procession of the late Sir John Dalbam’s creditors entered the apartment. The van was led by the lawyers who had conducted the Chancery suit: then came wine-merchants, upholsterers, and jewellers, and several other tradesmen,—the number being about fourteen or fifteen in all. For a moment an ashy pallor over- spread -‘Timperley’s countenance: then it flushed with the hectic glow of excitement;—and with an ironical smile he flung a lvok upon Sir Roderick, saying in.a voice that was barely audible, This is a pretty farce that you have prepared as a sequence to the tragedy!” Sir Roderick disdained to reply, — disdained even to notice the lawyer by a look: but bowing courteously to the procession of creditors, be said, “Be seated, gentlemen. You are even more in- terested in the present proceedings than most of us. “JT am sure, Sir Roderick,” said Mr. Timperley, now assuming the most amiable look that he could possibly put on—for he thought that though the proceeding was a vexing and annoying one, yet there was really naught in it which need fill him with any more serious apprebension; “I am - in order that he might recover his self-possession. He beheld no definite danger before him: he could not see how any real peril could possibly smite him; but, as we have before said, his soul was a prey to vague terrors and an irresistible uneasiness, Ho began to read the will very slowly and de- liberately, measuring his words in such a way that he exercised a sufficient control over his voice to prevent it from trembling. The document was very short, and was simply to the effect that after the payment of all just debts and liabilities, the testator disposed of the residue of his property, whatsoever might be the amount, in the way already known to the reader: namely, that one- third should be distributed amongst certain hos- pitals and philanthropic institutions, and the re- maining two-thirds should go “to his faithful friend Thomas Timperley,” &c. No astonishment was evinced by anybody pre- sent at the provisions of this will; for its natnre had been pretty widely whispered abroad within tho first two or three days after the breath was out of Sir John Dalham’s body. But there were many angry and threatening regards fixed upon Mr. Timperley ; for when the creditors sold him their claims at ten or twenty per cent., they were of course very far from foreseeing that he was Sir John Dalham’s beir—that he knew exactly what amount of property the deceased Baronet would leave behind bim — and that he was therefore making an excellent bargain for himself by the purchase of those debts, * You have heard the will, gentlemen,” said Sir Roderick Dalbaw, when Mr. Timperley had con- cluded the reading of the document; “and I beg you at once to understand that on my own per- sonal account I offer it not the slightest opposi- tion. On the contrary, I am anxious that its provisions should be carried out to the very letter yes, to the very letter, mind !” ejaculated Sir Roderick with emphasis. “ And you may rest assured, sir,” said Mr. Tim- perley, with a sneer, “that it will be carried ont to the very letter” a ee rn a hide ees aaa aieeeamemamebel ' COMIICcoo co ’ ‘ ; . 5}