Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 356: what you’re looking at

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ee 348 myself up with any hope which it might possibly be calculated to engender. No, no! things have gone too far! Ihave behaved badly—very, very badly! I confess it!—and God knows how anxious Iam to make an atonement !—Look you, Roderick, I feel that my conduct has been so reprehensible, that if I were a Catholic I would go and shut my- up in a convent for the rest of my days. Indeed, I have almost done with life! I-feel like one who is making expiations and atonements to accomplish a last peace alike with mao and God, so that there may be meet preparation to encounter Death whenever he shall make his appearance !” ‘Emily, Emily, this is language most painful for me to hear!” exclaimed the Baronet. “Surely, surely, things cannot be so desperate as all this P” “When you see Gustavus,” responded the quadroon, with an air of profound mournfulness, “you will find that I am only speaking too truly!” * And where is Gustavus ?” inquired Dalham. “T left him in Florence twelve days ago. We then parted—yes, and it was with the mutual un. derstanding that he was to come to England, while I was to take the earliest opportunity of embarking for the West Indies. It was my Original intention to take ship at Havre, in France. But during my journey thither i reflected upon many things—lI felt that I had a certain duty to perform and I am now here to accomplish it.” “Here?” ejaculated Dalham. “Ah, my dear Emily, if you mean that you had excuses to make or forgiveness to receive for anything that is past, rest assured that neither Winifred nor myself en- tertain aught but the kindest feelings towards you! Yes—and now Winifred will also share with me the deep sentiment of sympathy where- with your unfortunate narrative has inspired my soul!” “{ have yet to explain the duty which has brought me hither,” resumed Emily. “ Listen, and interrupt me not. Gustavus is rich: his grandsire’s death has suddenly made him wealthy and rendered him totally independent of my re- sources. He is fond of pleasure and somewhat addicted to extravagance though heaven knows I say not this as a matter of blame or re- proach, but simply to prove to you the truth of the statement I am about to make,—which is, that the fortune Gustavus has acquired by his grandfather's death will not be too large for his own uses. Therefore Nay, do not interrupt me! I beseech you to hear me to the end !—Therefore,”’ proceeded the quadroon, “it has become my para- mount duty to take care of you and Winifred. You are impoverished—but I know full well that it would have been otherwise if old Mr, Barrington had not died intestate. Had he made a will he would have left Winifred his heiress. Of this there can be no doubt!” ‘““Such a consideration has never entered our thoughts,” exclaimed Dalham,—“ at least not in a manner to render us jealous of your husband’s prosperity. No, Emily—no! Believe me vs “* Not another word, Roderick!” interrupted the qguadroon. “I long ago knew Winitred’s generous beart, though perhaps I have not always been able to appreciate its excellence. And in respect to yourself, 1 understand you likewise—yes, even a —— from this brief half-hour’s discourse! But listen to what I have to say. The whole of my fortune, with the exception of the smallest pittance to suffice for my subsistence, is your’s!” “No, Emily—no!” exclaimed the Baronet. “Such a sacrifice on your part must not be made !” “It is already resolved upon! it is almost as good as accomplished! Mr. Millard’s solicitor is acting in the matter—he has received instructions to bring the business to a termination with the least possible delay. Indeed, I am promised that by the day after to-morrow the requisite docu- ments for my signature will be in readiness, Then, as a wife in this country cannot act altoge- ther in independence of her husband, you must get Gustavus to give his assent—and all will be over !” “‘ Emily,” said Dalham,—“ Emily,” he repeated, in a voice that was tremulous with emotion, “ how can I possibly thank you enough for this proof of your generosity—your magnanimity = “Say rather of my sorrow and contrition for the past,” interjected the quadroon. “ You need not tell Gustavus, if you should happen to see him before I leave the country,—you need not teli him, I repeat, what is being done. It were better that he should be kept in ignorance on tke subject until after my departure. Then—then you may tell him that as I can never hope to see him again, and as I shall.never more venture to ask him for his pardon, he must at least tutor himself to think less unkindly of me than he otherwise would !” “But Emily,” said Roderick, “matters must not be left in this condition! There ought to be more happiness for you than you anticipate! Ob, you have shown so much goodness of heart— so much generosity, it almost makes me weep, Emily, to think that you look upon your prospects thus darkly !” “IT beseech you, Roderick,’ she said, “ not to dwell thus upon the subject. I know precisely how I am situated with Gustavus Indeed, I will even add that I feel our separation is neces- sary for his happiness. He does not like to be loved too well—and I could not love him less fondly than I do! ‘Therefore everything must take place as 1 have said. And now not another word upon the subject but go and prepare Winifred to receive me, if only for a moment !” Dalham was too full of emotion to give utter- ance to a single syllable of response to the last observations which had fallen from the quadroon’s lips: he pressed her hands fervidly, and hurried from the room, In a few minutes he returned : and he conducted Emily upstairs to the chamber where Winifred lay. We will not dwell upon the scene which ensued: suffice it to say that it wasa most affecting one ; for inasmuch as Emily pro- claimed her inflexible resolution to leave ber fortune in the manner which she had specified, Sir Roderick and Lady Dalham saw how futile it was to remonstrate agsinst such a stupendous excess of bounty. It would therefore be to misrepresent human nature itself if we were to pretend that the father and mother of the new-born babe were not inspired with the liveliest emotions of happi- ness as they gazed upon that child and knew that it was now guaranteed against the ills of poverty. Fervid therefore—Oh! most fervid were the out chook EE Ee | AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. (©) | 2 al