Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 214: what you’re looking at

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

206 “As the contents of the case are so precious, and I have already been very uneasy in conse- quence of the delay in its delivery, I will take it with me now. I have a cab outside,” continued Emily, speaking in a steady tone; “and as I have received a private letter from Mr. Pinnock, who shipped the case at Kingston, I know precisely its size and deseription,” Emily then added a few little details, which convinced the clerk, if any additional reason had been wanting, that she was the identical Winifred Barrington who alone had a rightful claim upon the case. He therefore presented the receipt- book for her signature; and when with a firm hand sho had signed the name of Winifred Bar- rington, the case was left at her disposal. Lt was speedily conveyed to the cab, upon the roof of which it was placed; and as the address on it was Aldersgate Street, the quadroon, careful of maintaining appearances, ordered the cab to pro- ceed thither. Away went the cab: but it had mot gone to any considerable distance, when Iimily pulled the check-string, and the driver de- ecended. “T have to send that package somewhere abroad,” said Emily ; “and I may as well com- plete the business without having it first taken to my abode in Aldersgate Street and then haying it removed to the shipping-agents’, Do you know of any shop where with the utmost despatch the case could be covered with tarpaulin or oil-cloth, so as to render it water-tight ?—for it contains articles that may spoil. I shall pay you well for your trouble.” The cabman—anticipating a liberal fare, and therefore willing to oblige—at once drove to a shop with which he was acquainted, and where in the course of half-an-hour the case was completely enclosed ina strong black tarpaulin. The name and address upun the case were thus concealed. The quadroon now inquired for a large card, on whicb she wrote these words :—“ Miss Pinnock, Mount Pleasant, Kingston, Jamaica. To thecare of Messrs. Millard and Co., West India merchants, Lime Street, City.” These proceedings seemed sufficiently legitimate, straightforward, and natural in the eyes of the cabman—and all the more so when Emily bade him drive at once to the establishment of the Mesers. Millard. On arriving in Lime Street, Emily inquired for Mr. Millard, the head of the firm : and she was introduced into that gentle- man’s presence. On mentioning her name, she was cordially welcomed by Mr. Millard, who had that very morning received a letter from Me. Pin- nock in Jamaica, announcing the visit of his niece to England and opening for her a credit with the firm in Lime Street. As a matter of course Mr. Millard was anxious to offer the hospitalities of his house at Clapham to the niece of one of his most valued correspondents : but Hmily on some pre- text—which we need not now pause to describe— dispensed with the suggested arrangement. She consigned to Mr. Millard’s care the tarpaulin- eovered case which she had brought, and which was directed to herself, desiring that he would keep it until she gave further instructions in re- spect to its ultimate disposal. Taking leave of the merchant, Emily resumed her seat in the cab, and proceeded to Charing Cross, where she alighted. AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. Having liberally recompensed the cabman, she re- turned to her hotel on foot, exulting in the suczess of the plan which she had adopted in regard to the treasure. On the following day Emily Pinnock was pune- tual to the appointment which she had made with Winifred through the message confided to the maid-servant at Mrs. Slater’s house: but on arriv- ing there, and being ushered up to Miss Barring- ton’s apartment, the quadroon found herself in the presence of Gustavus. “Ah! is it you?” she ejaculated, in a low half- suppressed tone, when she had turned to assure herself that the door was closed by the retiring maid-servant: for as we have already stated to the reader, Emily was by no means inclined to make a scene anywhere. Though Gustavus was prepared for this meeting —though indeed he had courted it as the only alternative upon which in his desperation he could throw himself—yet now that he stood face to face with Emily, he felt as if he were about to suffer annihilation. He knew that she had been deeply, deeply wronged: he felt himself to be a criminal of perhaps even a greater magnitude than he really was. His pale countenanee, his nervously working features, his quivering form, and his entire manner, betrayed the violence of the agitation which was taking place within him. As for the beautiful quadroon herself,—she had stopped short on throwing back her veil and ut- tering the ejaculation which we have above re- corded; and her large luminous eyes were now fixed upon Gustavus with an expression which he could not possibly fathom. * And thus, sir,’ she said, at length breaking silence, “you have deemed it expedient to meet me, instead of suffering me to encounter your cousin P” “ Emily,” he replied, in a low hollow voice, “you see before you one who is so deeply, deeply wretched, that if you say but a syllable too harsh or utter a reproach too severe, some desperate deed will end the miseries which have already be- come well-nigh intolerable! Look how I am crushed! Your presence in England—the deed you have done in reference to the gold . “ Gustavus,” she interrupted him, “ there neod be no harsh language flowing from my lips: on the contrary, L am even yet prepared to forgive everything and with me to forgive is to for- get! But it is upon this condition—that with the least possible delay you do your duty towards me—you make me your wife!” . The youth groaned bitterly; and the name of “ Winifred!” was in his anguish involuntarily ejaculated from his lips. “Do you mean me to understand,” exclaimed Emily, ber eyes now flashing fiercely, the blood mantling upon her cheeks, her bosom swelling, and her whole form appearing to dilate with indigna- tion,—‘‘do you mean me to understand that when you dared to woo me, you loved another—and that this love has since asserted its empire to my immense prejudice? If it be so, Gustavus, then were you all along a vile deliberate seaucer!— then did you systematically set to work to be- guile me and to rob me of my honour!” “No, no{—by heaven no!” ejaculated the youth, almost frengied at the idea that his conduct comilcbooks