Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 333: what you’re looking at

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

SS 8 ge E———E——— eee AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. 326 the estates may probably pass. —And then too I met Mr. Wardour, and he told me that he had that very day lodged in your name in the Bank of England the sum of fourteen thousand five hun- dred pounds, the produce of the sale of the gold dust; so that you were rich, Winifred!—and this was another reason which led me to beware how I acted a part which might incur even the slightest chance of seeming selfish and egotistical. I do not know, Winifred, whether I have rendered my explanations sufficiently clear—whether you, my dear young friend, can appreciate all those little details of feeling which I have endeavoured to describe Aa “Mr. Dalham,” said Winifred, in a low voice, which was however of silvery clearness—and her head was bent down so that her cheek rested upon the hand which lay on his arm,—“if anything had been wanting to convince me of the magna- nimity of your disposition, ié would now be sup- plied by the explanations you have given me! Ever thoughtful and considerate with regard to my interests have you been!—what delicacy has mingled with the generosity of your conduct! But I can say no more! Do you, Mr. Dalham— do you,” she tremulously asked, “ wish to say any- thing more to me P” “Winifred, if I dared—Oh! if I dared,” he exclaimed “But no! the same motives as be- fore ——” “Mr. Dalham,” she interjected, “listen to me —and grant me a boon, I beseech you!” “Anything, Winifred! — everything!” cried Roderick enthusiastically. ‘You once told me that you would lay down your life for my sake ; and that was in the truthful fervour of the noblest gratitude! Believe me, Winifred, it is in no idle spirit of romance that I also proclaim my readi- ness to lay down my life for your sake! And now speak !—what favour can you require of me? what can I possibly do to serve you P” “Let us separate now,” said Winifred: “let us separate without the interchange of another word except that of Farewell :—but let this sepa- ration be short! Let us meet again on the third day hence—at this very hour—but let it be in Aldersgate Street, at my own lodgings. Do you agree? will you consent?—and Oh! will you perdon me if in this particular instance I may seem for a moment to assume a spirit of dicta- tion ?” “Yes, Winifred—you shall dictate to me!” an- ewered Roderick Dalham; “and so far from offend- ing me by such dictation, it shall by me be re- garded as a proof of the friendship you entertain for me—the confidence you place in me—and the frankness of that intimacy which exists between us. You ask me, Winifred, whether I will do your bidding in a certain respect P—and I answer Yes. Therefore, my young friend, precisely at the hour of noon, on the 17th instant, will I be with you at your abode in Aldersgate Street: and now in obedience to your other injunction I simplv add the word Farewell!” Roderick Dalham pressed Winifred’s hand to his lips; and then hurried away in one direction, while the damsel continued her own path towards Sidney Villa. Her summons at the front door was answered by the kind-hearted Rachel, who was a:ways glad to see Miss Barrington; and in response to the inquiry whether Mise Evelyn was at home, an affirmative was given. Winifred was conducted into the little boudoir, where Agnes put- ting aside her embroidery, rose to give her a cor- dial greeting. The beautiful Miss Evelyn was looking exceedingly well; and as usual, the cos- tume that she wore was characterized by a tasteful simplicity which was elegance itself. Her hair, of auburn, or light burnished gold, was floating in ringlets upon her beautifully sculptured shoulders; and her large blue eyes, habitually soft in their ex- pression almost to melancholy, beamed sentiments of the kindest interest and friendship as she prof- fered her hand to Winifred Barrington. “Pray be seated,” said the amiable Agnes. “ Come as near the fire as possible; the weather is bitterly cola—the snow is again falling! Are your feet wet ?” “No, Miss Evelyn,” replied Winifred. “TI roda from the City as far as the Regent’s Park; and then the distance was but short to your dwell- ing.” “And now tell me, Miss Barrington, how dc all the affairs progress? It is a fortnight since [ last saw you; and then you were in great hopes of bringing matters to a speedy settlement so far as your venerable grandsire’s incarceration is concerned. Tell me, then—for you know the deep interest I experience in all that concerns you, —tell me, is there a chance of that hope boing speedily realized ?” “I believe so, Miss Evelyn—lI think so—God grant that it may be so!” exclaimed Winifred, speaking the last words with passionate utterance. “There is but one impediment and to be brief, it 13 to consult you, Miss Evelyn—or rather to in- voke your kind aid—that I am now here !” “ My aid?” exclaimed Agnes. “Oh! you know, Miss Barrington, that if it be indeed possible for me to render you any assistance, I shall do so with the utmost willingness !” “TI knew that I should not appeal to you in vain,” rejoined Winifred. ‘“ Will you grant me your patience while I give you some little expla- nations P—and will you also forgive me, my dear Miss Evelyn, if Iam compelled to make certain little allusions to a deceased relative of your’s?”’ “Whom do you mean ?” asked Agnes. “ But methinks I understand! You must doubtless menn my grandfather Mr. Waldron, who was for a while yous grandfather’s solicitor ?” “Yes, Miss Evelyn,” responded Winifred: “I allude to Mr. Waldron. Iregret to say that the investigation which has during the last two or three months been instituted into my unfortunate grandfather’s affairs But I am sure that you will forgive me for what Iam about to say, because so far from being capable of wilfully ‘s Ob, Miss Barrington!” exclaimed Agnes, “ such an assurance is quite unnecessary from your lips! Proceed—speak frankly and candidly: you cannot give me offence, although perhaps you may | aistress me if I should be compelled to listen to /aught derogatory to the repute and character of my deceased grandfather, Mr. Waldron! Yet pro- ceed, Miss Barrington—proceed! I am already prepared to hear that my grandfather dealt not altogether correctly with your grandsire.” “Alas, such was the case, Miss Hvelyn!” re- joined Winifred. “You krow that some time CoOMmicooolks ———— — Olin