Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 244: what you’re looking at

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236 satisfied with the terms in which I worded it; and therefore I thought it would be better for us to meet again for a moment,” “T was in hopes, Floribel,” replied De Vere gravely, as he took a seat, “that you might have reflected with sufficient seriousness — that you might have exercised your good sense—that not only for your own sake but for that of Agnes os “No moral lectures, Charles!” interrupted | Floribel, with a half smile,—‘“ although,” she im- mediately added, “I fully appreciate the excellence of your intentions. It is about Agnes that | wish to speak to you. I think I told you the other day that when you wrote to her you might assure her that my course was irrevocably taken —that she need not therefore agitate or distress herself on my account—but that she would do well to look upon me as one dead. Have you as yet written to Agnes Pp” “‘T have not written to her since I saw you,” answered De Vere mournfully; “for, in truth, I knew not exactly what to say. I cannot deceive her—and not for worlds could I have committed to paper all the things you said to me!” “‘But you must deceive her, Charles, on this one point,” responded Floribel; “yes, you must deceive her as you value her happiness and her peace of mind: for on mature reflection I feel that her’s is a disposition that must be delicately dealt with. It was to speak to you un this sub- ject that I desired the present interview.” “And in what sense would you have me de- ceive her?” inquired Charles. “Did you not tell me the other day,” pro- ceeded Floribel, “that in the letter which you re- ceived from Agnes she expressed her desire that if you saw me you would insist that I should at once abandon Theodore unless he gave me the name of wife. Well then, I have determined to separate from Theodore immediately—this very évening—or to-morrow at latest 14 “And what do you purpose to do? whither are you going ?” demanded Charles quickly. “Those are my secrets,” rejoined Floribel, in a tone which deprecated farther questioning. “It is sufficient to meet the spirit of Agnes’ letter to you that I separate from Theodore.” “No, Floribel !” exclaimed Charles vehemently ; “is is not sufficient, if you mean to pass to the protection of another!” “ But you must make it sufficient,” responded Floribel: “you must seize upon the fact as a means of tranquillizing the mind of Agnes. Write to her—tell her that inasmuch as Theodore re- fuses to make me his wife, I have separated from him. Agnes, in the delicacy and generosity of her own mind, will at once put the most favour- able construction on the announcement: she will think that I have returned into—into what shall I call it?—well, the path that she desires, Tell her that it is my intention to remain alto- gether on the Continent—to bury myself in seclu- sion—and under a feigned name to conceal my identity from the knowledge of all who might in any way be distressed on my account. These assurances will to some extent appease her anx- iety ; it is an innocent deception indeed, it is scarcely a deception; for in the main it is strictly true, because [ am about to separate from Theo- AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. never henceforth shall I be known by those of Floribel Lister.” “Do for heaven’s sake permit me,” exclaimed Charles, “to present once more a few considera- tions to your mind os “ Enough, Charles!” interrupted Floribel, rising from her seat: “ here our interview ends. I have told you how to deal with Agnes on my account; and if you love her you will follow my suggestions. It is useless to afflict or distress her more than on my behalf she is already afilicted and distressed. The truth when unpleasant should not be always told: it would be the height of punctilious fasti- diousness to adhere strictly to the letter of the truth in such circumstances. Nay, more—it would be cruel! Love and friendship often suggest the necessity of keeping back the full extent of cala- mity and misfortune. At all events I have now done everything that lies in my power: I have told you how to deal with Agnes—and I must leave you to follow your own course.” Having thus spoken, Floribel abruptly quitted the apartment by a door communicating with an inner room ; and Charles found himself alone. He remained for a few instants in deep reflection upon all that she had said; and he could not help thinking that her concluding speech contained many truthful observations. “Yes,” he said to himself, as he slowly de scended the staircase of the hotel, “it would in- deed be cruel to afflict and distress Agnes! I would rather plunge a dagger into my own heart than cause her an additional pang? I will write to her in such a sense as will at least easo her mind somewhat; and if a little deception be prac- tised, it will indeed be venial in this instance.” Charles De Vere was issuing from the hotel, with the resolution of returning at once to the ambassadorial mansion to sit down and pen a long letter to Agnes, when he found himself suddenly accosted by Mr. Egerton, another attaché to the British Embassy. This was a gentleman about eight-and-twenty years of age: he had formerly been in the Guards, and had acquired some little notoriety asa duellist. His countenance was now grave and scrious, as he said, “ De Vere, have the kindness to accompany me. I have a hackney- coach close at hand.” “Accompany youP Whither?” inquired our hero in astonishment. “T will tell you as we proceed,” replied Hger- ton. ‘Come, my dear fellow—be quick! for the matter admits of no delay. It is serious, I can assure you.” Charles hesitated no longer—but followed Mr. Egerton, who walked rapidly, to a little distance, where a hackney-vebicle was waiting. They stepped in; and the chaise at once drove away. © Now,” said Charles, “ will you have the goodness, my dear Egerton, to inform me of the meaning of this strange proceeding on your partP” “ T have already told you that it was serious— and so it is in one sense, though to a gentleman it is often an absolute necessity. And, by the bye, as you have once before figured with considerable credit to yourself in a similar affair 4 “ What on earth can you mean P” exclaimed Charles: for though he was suddenly smitten with dore, and I am about to take other names, so that | the idea of a duel, yet he could not conjecture Comicbooks * re,