Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 198: what you’re looking at

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

190 however that Cicely thougit the young lady would | make her appearance much before the evening: | for in order to arrive there at two in the afternoon it would be necessary for her to leave by an early train in the morning—and it was more probable that she would consult her convenience by taking a later one. And Cicely was right: for it was not until seven o'clock in the evening that a hackney- fly from Hastings drew up at the gate of the villa. Cicely hastened forth, followed by Mrs. Bulkins and the housemaid, to receive the visitress. A young lady, enveloped in a cloak and with a black veil over her countenance, alighted from the vehicle : she was evidently in a state of consider- able agitation—for she clung to Cicely’s arm for support. Then her. maid descended; and Cicely, in order to keep up appearances, said, “ How do you do, Selina P” ** Quite well I thank you, ma’am; and I hope I find you the same,” was the ready response. Cicely now conducted Mrs. Colebrook into the villa; and on reaching the drawing-room where the lamps were lighted and a cheerful fire was blazing in the grate, the young lady shook Cicely by the hand, faltering forth, “ Oh, Mrs. Hanbury, how can I ever testify my gratitude for all this kindness P” * Don’t be excited or agitated, my dear Mrs, Colebrook,” responded Cicely: ‘‘ consider this house to be your home. I have taken every pre- caution—lI have told the servants a suitable tale— a medical gentleman is engaged to attend upon you.—one in whose honour you may place trust f * Ob, what kindness!” murmured the young lady, as she sank upon the sofa, overpowered by her feelings. Selina in the meanwhile had been hastening over the house with Mrs, Bulkins, to make her- self acquainted with its arrangements, for pre- cisely the same reason which had influenced Cicely on the preceding day—namely, that she might not be at a loss in any respect when in the presence of her mistress, but on the contrary might seem quite familiar with the place where she was sup- posed to have lived before, Selina was a genteel- looking woman, of about two-and-thirty—of plain countenance, though not actually ugly—of good manners, ready wit, and somewhat unprincipled disposition. At the same time she was incapable of any action positively criminal: but her moral notions were not so stringent as to prevent her from making money by a complicity in the plot in which Mrs. Hardress was engaged. Moreover, Selina, as we have seen, had been successfully courted by Luke Corbet; and they had only re- quired a little improvement in their prospects in order to think seriously of matrimony. During the few minutes which elapsed after Mrs. Colebrook’s introduction into the drawing- room, while she expressed her gratitude to Cicely and then sat overpowered by her feelings on the sofa, she retained her veil over her countenance in such a way that Mrs. Hardress could barely catch a glimpse of her features. Cicely however already knew that she was beautiful; and that partial glimpse was sullicient to confirm the impression. Selina now entered to conduct her young mistress to the chamber prepared for ber reception; and there she remained for nearly half-an-hour, i AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. eet en At the expiration of that interval Mrs. Oole« brook returned to the drawing-room, in a plain evening toilet. She no longer wore a veil over her countenance; and thus Cicely was at length enabled to obtain a full view of her. And truly beautiful she was. Her age was between twenty and twenty-one: she was of fair complexion, and had glossy auburn hair. There was an expression of peculiar sweetness in her features—an expression of candour and innocence; so that it seemed strange how such a being could have yielded to the wiles of the seducer. Yet so it was; for this young lady was, as the reader must have already comprehended, in a way to become a mother without being a wife. Yet although an interval of six weeks would scarcely elapse ere the crisis must arrive, yet was the fact so little, if indeed at all perceptible, that Cicely would never have sus- pected it unless previously informed of the circum- stance. The young lady was tall and well formed, with a remarkably fine bust: but she stooped slightly—thaugh very slightly, and not in an un- graceful manner. It was as the flower slightly inclines upon its stalk. She had large blue eyes, full of a soft pensiveness—regular features, de- licately shaped—an oval countenance—red lips— and faultless teeth. There was in her bearjng all the grace of an elegant refinement; and though her manners were frank and affable, without the slightest tincture of pride, yet was it easy to per- ceive that she was a young lady of distinction, and that her accustomed place in society was in an exalted sphere. Cicely surveyed her with admiration, blended with sympathy and remorse. Indeed for a few moments Cicely was staggered in her purpose; and she thought within herself, “No! I never can betray this beautiful and amiable young lady!” But a feeling of selfishness was not long ere it predominated over those better sentiments; and Cicely’s heart was hardened. . Three days passed,—duriog which Mrs. Cole- brook became accustomed to her new home; and even in that short time she learnt to look upon Cicely as one of the dearest and kindest friends whom she had ever possessed,—the friend who was saving her from the exposure of her frailty, from shame and dishonour. She did not once allude to the author of her misfortune; though Cicely well knew who her seducer was — that secret having been revealed to her by Luke Corbet, who had heard it from Selina. And Cicely also well knew that the uoprincipled individual had re- cently betrayed another too confiding girl ! Mr. Saunders was introduced to the villa: he was all urbanity and kindness—he had received his cue from Mrs. Bulkins—and he said nota svilable which was calculated to raise a blush to his unfortunate patient’s cheeks nor to humiliate her in his presence, Thus everything progressed as favourably as circumstances would permit. On the fourth morning after the young lady's arrival at Mowbray Villa, Cicely received a letter, which was delivered to her when seated at the breakfust-table, and which appeared to cause her much chagrin. Mrs. Colebrook wateled ber eoun- tenance with anxiety; for ip certain circumstances a female who is placed in a false position, In- variably fancies that whatsoever sinister ocours directly regards herself, connicloooks 2 Ste