Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 355: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASUEE. bave heard things against me there have been points in my conduct in reference to Gustavus— snd—W inilred—some time ago—which have been mentioned to you . “T have ceased to think of them,” interrupted Sir Roderick. ‘ Besides, rest assured that my dear Winifred never dwelt more than was neces- sary upon unpleasant subjects.” “T know that she is all goodness!’’ said the quadroon softly. “ Where is she P” ‘Let me basten in the first place to inquire,” interjected Sir Roderick, “concerning Gustavus ? Is he well P or why have you come alone ?” “You will see him shortly,” rejoined Emily. “ Bat I came first of all—and alone—because But,” sho suddenly interrupted herself, “it is no unpleasant subject !’’ and she smiled with an air of peculiar satisfaction, revealing her beautiful white teeth, while a sunny light appeared to play in the depths of her magnificent black eyes. “I will explain everything presently. Meanwhile let me again inquire concerning Winifred ?” Dalhem explained that his wife had that day rendered him the father of a beautiful boy. The guadroon grasped his hand, proffering her fervid congratulations; and she exclaimed in all the most enthusiastic accents of her musical voice, ‘ Oh, how I long to feloitate Winifred herself, and to kisa the dear babe!” Sir Roderick was as much enchanted as sur- prised by the friendly and even affectionate con- duct of the guadroon towards himeelf and those who were so dear to him; and he said, “I will at once ascend to Winifred’s chamber and tell her that you are here. She will be glad to welcome you 3) _“No—not yet! not yet!” interrupted Emily. “ Let me first explain the motive for which I have come, and then you shall announce my presence to dear Winifred.” *T am sorry, my dear Mrs. Barrington, that so humble a place as this wy “Csll me Emily,” said the quadroon, “as I mean to call you Roderick. Did you not just now observe that we are kinsfolk? Ob, I mean that there shall be happiness and friendship and good- fellowship for the future! There is much,” she added, with a profound sigh, “in refer2nce to the past which I could desire to be altogether undone —or at least forgotten “Rest assured, my dear Emily,” answered Roderick, “that since you come in this friendly temper unto us, and with so many kind words, Winifred will receive you with open arms. No- thing will give her greater pleasure than to wel- come you as @ cousin—aye, and to love you even as a sister!” “T know not to what extent you may have heard, Roderick, of how at one time I ill-treated and insulted her who is your wife,” resumed Emily, with alook and tone of the deepest contrition ; “but you will presently be enabled to judge whether lam heartily penitent for the past, and whether Ibe not anxious to make atonement by means of substantial deeds as well as by mere words,” ““I believe—I believe you, Emily!” exclaimed Dalham: “yes—I believe you without any farther corroboration! But I was just now on the point of remarking that Iam sorry I cannot welcome hd J - See ——t -- ee i ~ — ~~ TS SE ee om) Me 547 you to a more luxurious and-comfortable abode. Nevertheless, if you are come to stay with us— which I sincerely hope is the case : “No, Roderick: my visit is a fleeting one,” in- terrupted Emily ; and again she heaved a profound sigh. “Tam going to Jamaica,” “To Jamaica P” echoed Dalham. “ Let me hope that Mr. Pinnock is in no danger. I heard the other day from Mr. Millard, when I went to in- quire where a letter would find your husband, that Mr. Pinnock’s health was failing ” “My father is dead,” said the quadroon in a low tone: and then ske raised her kerchief to her eyes. “Dead!” repeated Dalham. “Oh, Emilv, I sympathize with you! I regret that I should have elicited the announcement so abruptly from your lips !” “And now you understand,” “ wherefore Iam going to Jamaica.” “Does Gustavus accompany youP But of course he will! I was foolish to ask such a question !” “On the contrary,” interrupted the quadroon, “Gustavus will not accompany me. Neither is it to look after my deceased father’s affairs that I am going to Kingston. No!—for everything was so considerately and judiciously arranged by him when upon his death-bed, that all his fortune and estates at once became mine. I have this day learnt from Mr. Millard the fullest particulars on this head. all because I feel that it is my duty to go and drop a tear over the resting-place of him who was ever so kind and good to me, and by whose couch I ought to have been in his last illness; and in the second place, Iam going to Jamaica,” continued the quadroon, in a voice that was broken with sobs, “ because—because—I may no longer remain in Europe because alas! I have given mortal offence to Gustavus—and—and—everything is at an end between him and me!” “Good heavens!” ejaculated Dalham, shocked by this intelligence: “is it possible that my ears are not deceiving me P But yet you loved him ao well ” “‘Ah—too well! too well!” murmured the qua~ droon : and now covoring her face with her hands, she sobbed deeply. ‘“‘ Yes—it was because I did love him too well——-Oh ! [ cannot recapitulate !”’ she interrupted herself, with a sudden and pas- sionate vehemence- “You can well believe that all this has not arisen through any infidelity ov wanton wickedness on my part!” “But console yourself, my dear Emily! console yourself!” said Dalham. “ All is perhaps not so bad as you think. Let mo and Winifred become mediators betwixt Gustavus and yourself! Rest assured that we shall be enabled to bring about a reconciliation! Gustavus knows how much you love him ¥ “But he says that my love has become a tyranny—that its exigencies constitute a monstrous despotism - “ Ab, ’tis a fault on the right side!” interjected the Baronet; “and henceforth there must be mu- tual concessions, Do not despair, Hmily !” “ 4 thousand, thousand thanks, dear Roderick,” interrupted the quadroon, “for this kind language which flows from your lips; but EZ dare not buoy she resumed, I A A I eT ey eee 8s eee co nn) Elooolk eta But Iam going to Jamaica—first of © oe C© 5}