Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 241: what you’re looking at

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

* - + i nT TTT A eh cri oe ———e ee & reason to forgive him for his want of constancy and taste.” “IT do not exactly comprehend you, Sir Alex- ander.” “ Why, I mean, my young friend, that some one must take Floribe) off Clifford’s hands; and who- soever the lucky individual may be, he will have reason to thank his stars that Clifford should so indifferently appreciate the treasure of volup- tuous beauty which he possesses ” Charles bit his lip, and a glow of indignation flushed his cheeks at the thought that the cousin of the pure and chaste Agnes should thus form the topic of light discourse on the part of a liber- tine. But he curbed his resentment ; for in fact there was nothing which he himself could reason- ably resent, and hic momentary anger was absorbed in a silent sigh of sorrow as the conviction struck him that Floribel bad drawn down all this upun nerself, and that she was wickedly and wantonly No. 30.— A6u%3. AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. 233 ULI bined pursuing a career which must ever lay her open to be thus spoken of with levity. “I bave just been to pay my respects at the hotel, after dining there last night,” resumed the Baronet, not noticing those transient evidences of indignation on De Vere’s part; “and I hava passed another agreeable hour with Floribel. Clif- ford was out—the lady was in a very excellent humour, and in good spirits: she chatted gaily what music is there in her voice! She smiled and laughed what delicious lips! and what brilliant teeth !” And did you see Mr Clifford to-day ?” ia- quired Charles, scarcely knowing what he said; for he keenly felt all the awkwardness and em- barrassment of his position in being compelled thus to listen to a libertine’s comments on the at- tractions of the cousin of Agnes. “No :—Clifford was absent the whole time,” responded Sir Alexander; “and to tell you the Comiclooolkks a) Oimn