Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 382: what you’re looking at

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

374 “Oh, of course not! You must indeed like him!” said Winifred. feeling towards yourself “Well,” interjected Mr. Barrington, “ that | gentleman has everything in his favour. His manners are excellent—he is decidedly good-look- | ing—remarkably fine piercing eyes—and a very pleasing voice, Altogether, my dear Winnie, I am very glad we have formed his acquaintance ; and you must get a nice little dessert—and we will send across to the Albion for some of their very best wine ” * Rest assured,” exclaimed Winifred, her heart palpitating with joy, “that everything shall be done to give that gentleman a most welcome recep- tion,” “ But apart from his kind ” CHAPTER LXXII. THE LITTLE VELVET BAG. Ir was between seven and eight o’clock in the evening—the grandfather and granddaughter sat together in the handsome drawing-room at Mrs. Slater’s house. Winifred had insisted that her aged relative should make himself comfortable, and not stand upon any ceremony in the reception of the expected g@est. She had therefure per- suaded him to put on his slippers and his dress- ing-gown; ana the old man had yielded to her wishes. Wine and dessert were upon the table; and the cheerful sparkle in‘Mr Barrington’s eyes showed that he had already assured himself that the cellars of the famous Albion Hotel in the same street had furnished good specimens of foreign vintages. Mr. Barrington was seated in his arm-chair: Winifred bad placed herself on an ottoman by his side. She looked up affectionately into his coun- tenance: she assured herself at a glance that he was in the best possible humour, as well as in the kindliest mood; and she said within her own bosom, “ Now isthe favourable moment for enter- ing upon the revelation of the secret !” **My dear grandfather,” she presently began, takizg his hand and pressing it between both her ovn, “ you will perhaps be suprised—but I am very certain that you couid not possibly be an- ' poyed—to learn that the gentleman whom we | are expecting is not altogether a stranger to me » | ' } eer ee “‘T do not understand you, Winnie,” interrupted “You did not speak to the gentle- »” the old man. man to-day “No,” said Winifred: | Pray be patient! You don’t know, my dear | grandfather, how nicely everything will come ont fa the long run 4 “ But who és this gentleman, Winifred?” asked Mr. Barrington, somewhat seriously: “and why should there have been any mystery in your ac- guaintance with him? ’Pon my honour, if it were not for the way in which he himself spoke about the lawsuit, I should almost be inclined to fancy from this mystery that you are making, that it was Roderick Dalham ‘himself—though on second thoughts I should know that to be impos- sible; for Roderick Dalham is a poor wreteb, “T had my reasons. ett eet eden a _ eel com | rere ES ssi AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. worn out by debauchery—pale and emaciated —— At least so I was told some time ago—and I do believe it was Timperley that gave me the descrip- tion! But what about this gentleman, Winnie? His name ” “ Repeat to me, my dear grandfather,” said the young lady, “ what you told me as we were driving home from St. John’s Wood,—that you have con- ceived a great liking towards this gentleman? It is so, dear grandfather—is it not ?”’—and Wini- fred looked up into the old man’s countenance with that winning cajolery which has naught of sinister hypocrisy in it, but is replete with min- gled affection and good iutention. “To be sure, my darling girl! I conceiveda great friendship for that gentleman!” * And when you come to know more,” resumed Winifred, “you will experience other senti- ments Y “Other sentiments P” said the old man inquir- ingly. | “Yes—gratitude for instance,” rejoined Wini- fred; “and gratitude, you know, my dear grand- father, is a sacred duty 7 “Of course! where gratitude is due!” ex- claimed Mr. Barrington. “ But you astonish me, Winnie! How can there be any gratitude to- wards one whom I never saw before in my life, and who cannot possibly have had it in his power to render me a service ?” “Services may be rendered,” said Winifred softly, ‘without the necessity of the benefactor being always seen, In fact, true philanthropy very often conceals itself behind a curtain, until by some accident revealed—as was the case in this instance,” added Winifred quickly; for she was naturally desirous to skip as lightly and rapidly as possible over the real circumstances attendant upon her introduction to the individual of whom she was speaking. “What on earth are you talking of, Wini- fred ?” asked her grandsire. ‘ You bewilder and mystify me! Idon’t think it can be the wine I have taken ” ; **No—you have only had two glasses. Listen —and my speech will grow clearer. I tell you that you are under the despest of obligations to that gentleman! You would have starved, my dear graudfather—or at least you would have wanted the commonest necessaries 4 “What, Winifred?” ejaculated the old man: “do we owe that gentleman money P” “No! If we owed him money only, we could pay it: but believe me, dear grandfather,” ex- claimed Winifred, with enthusiasm, “‘ we owe that gentleman a debt of gratitude which is unpay- able !” ' “Ah!” — and the old man looked strangely upon Winifred; for the suspicions which the malignity of Robus had first engendered in his mind were now reviving there. “ Winnie—dearest girl” —and now he began to whimper—* you would not have me belieye—you would not give me to understand—that—in a moment of despe- ration—when perhaps you feared lest your poor old grandfather should be wanting bread — you do not mean, dear Winnie But if you did, you know I should forgive you—yes, I should forgive OQ’? “Ob, speak not thus!” exclaimed the young Comilcbooks G3 cs