Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

a TTT ee | | poverty. 18 AGNES; OR, BEAUTY A¥D PLEASURE. he consented to profit by this infernalcheat! To! Scarcely was he gone, when Timperley paseed think, too, that the time may come at the moment I deem myself wost secure, when an accident may betray me—when the hand of justice may tear away the mask from my countenance—and whena felon’s doom may overtake me! No, ‘by heaven! I will not advance another step in this fraud! You may do your worst.” “And I will do it!” ejaculated Waldron, his countenance livid with rage. ‘“ You are in my power in every respect. Turn whatsoever way you will, and you encounter me as the arbiter of your destinies. You owe me thousands: I have your bills and bonds—I can plunge you into a debtor’s prison! I can tax you with fraud, and send you to a felon’s gaol! Now then, dare you speak of renouncing those golden benefits which it is in your power to grasp? No, no, Morton! be not so foolish,’ continued Mr. Waldron, speaking in a conciliatory tone. “ The effects would be frightful! You would cover your- ‘self with ridicule as well as with infamy! You would involve me, Honoria, and your childin your own ruin! You think me rich: I ama beggar! I have spent thousands for thirteen years past in this very business! I have neglected my profes- sion—I have sacrificed my resources! As for future danger, Morton, there isnone! Detection is impossible—no accident can ever betray you! I defy the whole world to discover the fraud of those deeuments—unlegs in your madness or folly you reveal it. Now you see that my position is a desperate one ; and if you plunge me into ruin, I will prove horribly vindictive. Ob! in my ven- geance I will forget daughter and grandchild—I will think only of you as the cause of my destruc- tion. FI will overwhelm you! Look how the case will tell against you. A ruined gamester comes to me with a tale which I believe; and Iam made his dupe! bis is the complexion the business wilt wear !” All Mr. Waldron’s cold insolent self-possession was gone: he was terribly excited; and thus with mingled menaces, remonstrances, entreaties, argu- ments, and assurances, he endeavoured to persuade Morton to continue in the path of villany in which his machinations had placed him. Evelyn was re- flecting in agony of mind upon his wife and child —but chiefly upon his child,—that innocent babe who though but ‘@ few weeks old, he already loved so fondiy!—and he had to decide whether he should become a villain for her sake, or whether on the other hand he should plunge her into He could not make up his mind. “Mr, Waldron,” he said in a deep hollow voice, ' while his countenance indicated how terribly his — com wee - feelings had been harrowed, “I cannot give a de- Wision at present. J must take some hours to.de- liberate calmly: for even if I were to say yes at this moment, I could not proceed another step in the matter to-day.” “Take time then,” answered Waldron, now in- finitely relieved: for he felt assured that his last speech had touched Morton deeply, and that he would yield to his views. Evelyn rose, took up his hat, and walked forth from the private room. As he passed through the front office, he encountered the sinister looks of Timperley : but he quickly averted his own re- garda, and went out into the fresh air. ee ee into the inner room,—this time being careful to close the door behind him. “See what you have done!” ejaculated Waldron, turning fiercely upon the accomplice of his ini- quity. | “Ts everything ruined ?” asked Timperley, who in his anxiety to learn how matters stood, was heedless of his employer’s reproach. * No, no—I hope not !” replied Waldron. “I think it will be all right. But, Ah! perhaps he means to go and consult his wife? He will tell her everything - “ And she is not a fool,” interjected Timperley : * she will advise him * : “Yes, yes! Honoria will be on our side!” ejaculated Waldron. “ But I had better go and prepare her: or at least I had better be present while they are conversing together. Send at once, Timperley, and fetch me acab. Ah! by the bye, you had better take a cab also, and invent some excuse for the postponement of these appointments. It will look odd else! If you have anything tc communicate, you will find me at the West End.” In a few minutes Waldron was seated in a cab; and when he reached his destination, he found that Morton Evelyn had not yet returned. Honoria was alone. We must here inform the reader that from the very first instant of Evelyn’s introduction to the house in Russell Square, eighteen months back, Honoria had been aware that it was intended he should claim the peerage and wealth of Ormsby ; though her father had kept her in ignorance of the one main fact that he had really no legitimate right nor title thereto. Honoria had. kept the secret of as much us she did know until it suited her father’s purpose to reveal it to Morton. For it was first of all deemed desirable by both father and daughter, to secure him as a husband for the latter; and when this aim was accomplished, it still continued necessary to multiply and tighten the meshes around him. For the lawyer—a keen reader of human character—had discovered many evidences of good principle in Morton Evelyn; and he was afraid that if the young man should suspect the legitimacy of the proceedings he would ——— Lt ee : ee 0 ee ee ee ew ee abandon them altogether, unless he were under — the pressure of coercion. When it was known that Honoria was in a way to become a mother, the lawyer resolved to wait until Evelyn should have tasted the joys of paternity ; for Waldron thought he weuld make any sacrifice of feeling aud ‘of principie for his child. Hence the delay which had taken place before bringing the busi- ness to a crisis. Honoria had now to learn that her father had been guilty of a fraud—that her husband had dis- covered it—and that if he persevered, he would be winning rank and riches at the expense of bis conscience. She had likewise another secret to learn,—which was, that her father’s pecuniary affairs were hopelessly involved, unless redeemed by the consummation of the cheat. Honoria was at first shocked on hearing these truths: but she speedily recovered her self-possession. Though virtuous as a wife, her general principles were none of the most serapulous ; and, as both her father and Timperley had foreseen, she strenuously adopted their views. She could not endure the idea of (20) boo [| IS)