Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 103: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE, 96 her feet, taking her hand, but not daring to press it to his lips. “No, Mr. De Vere,’ she tremulously mur- mured: “you are not an object of indifference to me. Rise, I beseech you!” “Oh, your words enable me to indulge in every hope!” cried our enthusiastic hero: and the tell- tale blush that was upon the cheeks of Agnes em- boldened him to carry her hand to his lips. That hand was not instantaneously withdrawn ; and his heart bounded with joyous hope—for he felt that his love was reciprocated. He rose from his suppliant posture—he placed himself by the side of Agnes—and there was a paradise of rap- turous feelings in his soul. “But tell me,” she said,—* tell me, have you spoken to your mother upon this subject ?” “T have, Agnes,” he answered, with a noble frankness in the expression of his, countenance. “When my mother had ere now communicated the contents of the letter which announced my appointment, I candidly revealed to her the state of my feelings in reference to yourself. The result was her free permission that I should call and make the same avowal to you.” * And yet she does not know me,” murmured Agnes: “ we have nover met.’ “Ob! but my mother has heard sufficient of you,” exclaimed Charles, “to feel proud at the idea of possessing such a daughter-in-law. She only stipulated that our engagement—if I were happy and fortunate enough to find my fond hopes realized—should continue for a period until my position should be better assured. And, Oh, Agnes! now that I am relieved from all suspense, I can endure to look upon the prospect of separa- tion with but little bitterness; for I shall know that your image will prove the incentive to urge me on in my new career !” The lovers continued to discourse for some time longer; and when Charles took his departure, it was with joy and rapture in his heart—for he knew that he had not vainly nor hopelessly loved the beauteous Agnes Evelyn. When our heroine herself had composed her own feelings somewhat, and collected her thoughts, she at once repaired to Floribel,—to whom in the genuine frankness of her nature she communi- cated what had occurred. “T congratulate you, my dear cousin,” replied Miss Lister, embracing Agnes: “for Charles De Vere has evidently a brilliant career before him. He may some day become an Ambassador—he is sure to be created a Baronet—and perhaps he may rise to a Peerage.” “Of all these things, Floribel, I thought not at the time,” answered Agnes: “I thought only of his good qualities—the noble frankness of his character—his generous disposition—his devoted attachment to his mother, of which we have heard.” “And now, my dear Agnes,” said Floribel, with a blush upon her cheeks, “I will tell you a little seeret of my own. I too have had an offer!” “Indeed, my dear cousin!” exclaimed Miss Evelyn, in astonishment, “ It could not have been to-day and yet you have not given me your confidence ? “It was yesterday, Agnes,” interrupted Floribel, quickly recovering from the temporary confusion men ener SO Oe ee dade into which she was thrown. ‘“ Somehow or another I did not like to mention it to you——or at least I meant to avail myself of the first fitting oppor- tunity 8 “But not for a moment can I think, my dear Ploribel,” said Agnes, “that you had any more powerful reason I mean that you cannot be ashamed ——”’ : ‘Ashamed P—no !” ejaculated Miss. Lister, with a momentary flush of mingled indignation and confusion upon her countenance. “ Theodore Clif- ford is no stranger to you ‘ “The Hon. Mr. Clifford ?” exclaimed Agnes, in still greater astonishment than before. “ Yes,” proceeded Floribel, now speaking firmly, and even peremptorily, as if feeling the necessity of asserting her right to act as she thought fit in her own supposed interests, rather than argue the point at length: “Theodore Clifford yesterday offered me his hand, as he vows that I have long possessed his heart, And permit me to add, Acnes, that I think the son of Lord Windermere is as good a match for me as the young attaché can possibly prove for vou.” Agnes could not help fancying that there was a certain want of feminine delicacy in the pointed, worldly-minded manner in which her cousin put the subject; and after a few moments’ reflection, she asked in a gentle voice, “ And do you, my sweet Floribel, really love Mr. Clifford ?” “Oh! I am convinced that I love him!” re- sponded Miss Lister; “for is he not exceedingly handsome? is not his profile purely Grecian P is not his countenance intelligent? are not his man- ners fascinating P” “But his father?” suggested Agnes: “has he assented to this alliance P” Floribel hesitated, looked confused for a few moments, and then said, “ Of course it is hardly to be expected that Lord Windermere would blindly give such an assent. His lordship does not know me, and has never seen me: but Theo- dore assures me that when once we are united, it will be sufficient for him to present me to his father in order that I shall be received with open arms.” ‘You do not mean me to understand, my dear cousin,” said Agnes, with affrighted looks, “ that the marriage is to be aclandestine one? No!— you would have never listened to Mr. Clifford if he had ventured to breathe such a proposition to your ear !” “ How strangely you are talking, Agnes!” ex- claimed Miss Lister, now adopting an offended air. “Tt is very natural that Mr. Clifford, seeing how I am courted by several young gentlemen of rank and position, should wish to secure me with the least possible delay.’ It is natural likewise that I should accept the offer of a patrician’s hand ¥ “You know that Mr. Clifford,” interrupted Agnes, “is the youngest son of Lord Windermere, and that he is entirely dependent on his father’s purse? THe has no profession ** But he is going into the House of Commons at the next election,’ rejoined Floribel; “and I shall feel both proud and flattered to be introduced to the world as the wife of the Hon. Mr, Clifford, M.P. Besides, although it may sound like vanity, yet to you, my dear cousin, I may confess that I have a sufliciently good opinion of myself as to Conn Gloo LEE EEE ee re LN KS CO©