Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 346: what you’re looking at

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

a a — ——™— See SSO A ST 333 “ Ah—a husband’s authority!” he ejaculated, with a bitter smile: “such an authority as one of ber uncle’s own negroes in Jamaica, although ealling himself emancipated, may be supposed to possess over his own destinies! But I will not weary or vex you, Winifred, with the details of the existence that I lead. Suffice it to say that last night we arrived in London—this morning I es- eaped from Emily’s vigilance—in plain terms stule away while she slept! for I was resolved that I would see you once more, dearest cou- sin 2 “ Ah! then you are at length going to Jamaica ?” said Winifred. ‘“ Well, it is kind of you, Gustavus, to think of seeing us again; for of course you will go and visit your grandfather rr “Will be not blame me, Winifred? what ex- euse did you make on my behalf?” “At first I told him that Mr. Pinnock had sent for you from Jamaica—that your departure was so hurried you could not possibly bid him fare- well - “Ah! but about the marriage, Winifred ?” said Gustavus: “what did you tell our grand- sire ‘i “T have gradually broken to him the truth,” rejoined Winifred, her voice for a moment be- coming tremulous, and then growing firm again. “He now knows all—he will not blame you, Gus- tavrus—he will receive you with open arms And, Ab!” exclaimed Winifred as a thought struck her, “you shall have the pleasure, my dear eousiv, of presenting your aged relative with the talisman of his liberty is “What do you mean, Winifred?” inquired Gustavus. “Take this packet,” she cried,—“ hasten to the prison, and tell our venerable grandfather that it is the deed which Mr. Timperley held. Ob, then, Gustavus, you will see how fervidly he will embrace you !—and when you depart from England, it will be with the satisfaction of having become the me- dium of infusing so much joy and happiness into the heart of that old man!” “Then come with me, dear Winnie,” exclaimed Gustavus, “and we will have the satisfaction of together imparting and sharing this happiness whereof you speak !” “No, my dear cousin,” said Winifred, “go you slone to visit our grandsire. If we went together, he might put questions to you which would be embarrassing to both. Besides, Gustavus, as you sre on the point of taking your departure from your native land—as you will settle in another clime—and as perhaps you may never again see our grandfather” here Winifred was for an instant half-suffocated with emotion, but she quickly recovered herself “for all these reasons, my dear Gustavus, it were infinitely better that you should go alone—for the more there are present at such a leave-taking, the more affecting and dis- tressing is it !” “Be it as you say,” rejoined Gustavus: “I will go and bid farewell to our grandfather. Then 1 will return to you, Winnie “T shall await your presence here,” said the young lady: “but you must not be long, Gus- tavus, for after all you bave told me ug “Ah! you think that Emily will be looking after me?” he exclaimed, attempting to carry off EE tS EN AGNES; OR, BEAUTY ANP PLEASURE. ; i ee the idea with a laugh—but it sounded hollow, and its expression on his countenance was sickly. “ No ar —I scarcely think she would go to such an ex- | treme—— But at all events I will be off; and I will return to you, Winnie, as soon as possible.” Thus speaking, Gustavus secured about his person the packet containing the precious deed ; and he quitted Mrs. Slater’s house. He was hur- rying along Aldersgate Street in the direction of the nearest turning that would lead him to White- cross Street Prison, when he suddenly encountered his wife! She had a veil over her face, but through it he at once recognised that superbly handsome countenance, with its dusky complexion ; and even if that veil had been of impenetrable thickness, he would have recognised her all the same by the admirable symmetry of her form, even though she might be wearing a costume in which he had never seen her apparelled before. “ Now,” he instantaneously thought to bimself, “for a storm of passion! But heaven defend me from a scene in the streets!” How great therefore was the surprise of Gus- tavus, when Emily on accosting him threw up her veil, and said with a smile of indescribeble sweet- ness, “So you have been to see your relations, Gustavus? You were right. But why, my dear husband, did you not make me aware of your in- tentions, so that I might have had the pleasure of accompanying you P” “ Why, the truth is, my dear Emily,” responded Gustavus, “ you were sleeping so soundly that I did not like to awake you: so I thought I would steal off before breakfast a “To be sure!” said the quadroon, taking her husband’s arm. “And have you seen your grand- father ?” ‘No, not yet—but I have seen my cousin Winifred you know ” and Gustavus hesitated somewhat, as if he fancied there was a little jea- lousy upon this point, and that be was thereture treading upon delicate ground. And he was right; for a flush suddenly crossed the dusky countenance of the quadrvon, while fires flashed from her luminous eyes; and she murmured to herself, “Ah! he sees his cousin Winifred first, before he visits the old man !’’—then ratsing ber looks, which had in an instant become smiling again, she said, “ And is your cousin Winifred quite well? is she still living at the same place? and has she as yet made use of the gold ?” “She is quite well—she is still livisg at the same place—and as for the gold, my dear Emily, it will almost immediately be used to effect my grandfather’s liberation. I am now going to the prison to see the old man . “How I should like to accompany you!” ex- claimed Emily. “To form the acquaintance of this venerable and much persecuted relation of yours ——”’ “Oh, Emily! are you serious?” cried Gustavus, in an enthusiastic paroxysm of joy. “ A thousand thanks for the kind interest you thus take P “ Thanks, Gustavus ?—do you speak of thanks?” asked Emily, in a tone which may be deseribed as kindly reproachful. “ Js it not a duty which I am performing to display an interest in your venerable relative, as well as I feel an interest im everything else that concerns you ?” “Ah! you area dear good Emily, after all!” GComichbooks |