Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

_- rm se ee —— el tl A », SS ess ee ae i eS ee er NO 8 AGNES: OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE, to Liverpool and made inquiries: but it appeared that he had not settled there until he was thirty years of age—and no one knew anything of his antecedents. papers, offering a reward for the baptismal certifi- cate of Andrew Evelyn c “That was your grandfather ?” interjected Mr. Waldron inquiringly. “‘Yes—my grandfather,” answered Morton: * because, you know, if I had been fortunate enough to find that certificate, it would have in- formed me of the names of his parents.” “ And the result of your advertisements?” asked the lawyer. ‘They were fruitless,” rejoined Evelyn. “I came and reported all these things to you, sir; and you then told me that you were sorry I had taken so much trouble and gone to such an expense —for that, after all, you did not think I could possibly belong to the family to which you had alluded.” “And therefore,’ said Mr. Waidron, “ you thought no more of, the matter—you took no further steps—and you let it slip out of your thoughts ?” “That is the exact truth, sir,”’ responded Mor- ton. “TI totally lost sight of the subject until last night,—when passing through the church-yard, I heard you speaking in the vault. Then it instan- taneously struck me that you must be prosecuting your researches ‘ “True!” said Mr. Waldron, now suffering him- self to smile: “for you knew very well that I could not be a resurrection-man. And what then?” “When the sexton mentioned the name of Eve- lyn in connexion with that vault,” answered Mor- ton, “I confess that a wild hope sprang up within me »”» “Ani why should you have entertained such a hope ?” asked the lawyer. “ Have you the slightest reason {0 suppose that any of your ancestors were interred in London ?” “No particular reason, sir, Only,’’ added Mor- ton, with a smile, “I must have had ancestors, and they must have been buried somewhere. And then, too, I will admit that last night * ** I have not forgotten the words you addressed to me,” interrupted Mr. Waldron. ‘“ You were in such a condition that no man living ever stood more in need of a hopeful promise than you did last night. Such was your statement. Explain it.” “Tt may be all summed up in a few words, sir,” answered Morten: and then, after a moment’s pause, he added, with a partly mournful, partly excited emphasis, “I am penniless!” “ Humph!” ssid Mr. Waldron : and his thumbs, quitting his waistcoat armholes, his hands dived down into his breeches pockets, as if it were the instinctive movement of one who could thank rod that he was mot penniless, “In a word, Mr. Evelyn, you have run through all your fortune— you have no profession nor trade—the friends whom you have hitherto found, are unable or un- willing to assist you—and, in plain terms, you know not exactly what todo. Have I guessed rightly P” “You have, sir—God knows that you have!” exclaimed Morton. “I have been exceedingly ioolish—very, very silly 4 Then I advertised in the news. “The past cannot be recalled—but it may be atoned for,” interjected Mr. Waldron. “ From those coffin-lids last night I gained some little in- formation — but still comparatively nothing to speak of. Nevertheless, I think that this infor- mation may have afforded me a clue, which must be followed up. Now mind, Mr. Evelyn—lI do not want to excite any wild hopes compose your- ~ self give not way to excitement but I think it is possible—nay, even probable, that you may be the lawful heir to this great wealth—and —and—to something more But no matter!” “Oh, my dear sir!”’ exclaimed Morton, all his hope reviving: “what joyous tidings “4 “There now! you are exciting yourself! Be calm, sir I am going to summon my head clerk. I desire that you will be collected before him :’— and Mr. Waldron spoke almost sternly ; but yet it was with a sort of friendly or even paternal sternness, as if with the best possible intentions he sought to curb the wild flights of the young ° man’s imagination. “T will be calm, sir!” said Morton, exercising a strong effort over his own feelings. Mr. Waldron now summoned his head clerk, who came bowing obsequiously into the private room. “Timperley,” said Mr. Waldron, “ in that affair of the Evelyn family, you know—I think that this gentleman here has a very good chance.—Please be quiet, sir!” he added aside to Morton, who was on the point of bounding from his seat at those hopeful words. “ Indeed, sir,” answered Timperley, with the air of a man who was not at all astonished at what he heard, but who awaited further explanations. “Yes,” continued Mr. Waldron; “I think that Mr. Morton Evelyn has a very fair chance. He has done me the honour of appointing me his soli- citor in the business; and you will draw up an agreement, Timperley, according to the terms of which Mr, Evelyn guarantees to me twenty per cent. on all moneys that I may succeed in recovers ing for him. Is it not so, Mr. Evelyn ?” Though Morton had really assented to nothing. of the sort, yet he was only too glad to proclaim a prompt affirmative; and Timperley again bowed obsequiously. “Mr. Evelyn has given me the requisite in- structions how to proceed,” continued Waldron ; “ and in the present situation of affairs I cannot have the slightest objection to advance Mr. Evelyn such sums as he may require for his im- mediate use. Draw a bill of exchange, Timperley, and fill up a warrant-of-attorney, for five hundred pounds.—Pray be seated, my dear sir!” blancly added the lawyer, turning towards Morton, who was again on the point of springing from his seat. m Timperley bowed and withdrew; and Waldron said, “Pray, Mr. Evelyn, do not give way to this excitement. I bave not told you that you are the rightful heir—I am not sure that you are—but I think that your chance is just sufficiently good to warrant me in running some risks. I am going to fill you up a cheque for five hundred pounds. I hope you will live with suitable economy—but still in a manner becoming your station ; and if you will dine with me at five o’clock this evening, I shall be happy to see you, You will find nobody at Comicaoolxs