Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 392: what you’re looking at

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

384 AGNES; OB, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE, —for her bounty is indeed equivalent to a fortune to beings who but an hour back had not the means of purchasing bread !—but she has likewise prof- fered a home to my children while I go forth into the world in search of a son whom [ have lost.” “Tt is indeed an angel only who could have done all this!” ejaculated the stranger emphatically ; while his lip quivered with the emotions that he experienced. ‘‘ But tell me your tale; and believe me when I reiterate the assurance that I am not inspired by any motive of impertinent curiosity. Nay, more, I may conscientiously declare that when accident should have likewise brought my steps—as it was doing—to this abode, I should have endeavoured to afford such succour as my means would permit. And perhaps even now I may be allowed to add the mite of my own philan- thropic feeling to the more substantial benefits con- ferred by the young lady who has so recently left you ?” Signor Paoli was convinced of the genuine kindness of the stranger’s heart and the perfect sincerity of his language; and he accordingly hesitated not to tell his tale—which he did in pretty nearly the same terms as his daughter Co- rinna had already told it to Agnes. The stranger listened with the deepest attention; and he seemed to be affected when the refugee acquainted him with all the details of Agnes Evelyn’s kindness,— how she purposed to supply him with the means of journeying to Florence, and how she had offered an asylum at Sidney Villa to Corinna and the little ones. “‘ And now,” said the stranger, “ you must per- mit me to offer you some little assistance. I am not rich, or I would do more: but this bank-note I must beg of you to accept it “ “ Generous Englishman!” exclaimed the Italian refugee; “if I accept this proof of your noble philanthropy and friendship, it will be for the purpose of sparing the necessity of drawing too heavily upon the bounty of the amiable young Jady who has so recentiy taken her departure. And suffer me to consider this amount,” he went on to say, glancing at the bank-note, which was for five pounds, “as a loan which, if ever fortune should again fayour me, I shall most honourably and punctually repay: for never yet has there been the slightest shade of mean or dishonourable conduct associated with the name of Sexto Paoli !” “Paoli?” said the stranger: “Paoli? Is that your name?”—and he looked as if he fancied that he was not now hearing it for the first time. “Yes,” responded the Neapolitan, “that is my name. It has been branded by a vile tyrannical government—but it has never been disgraced !” The stranger appeared to be reflecting with the air of one who was endeavouring to collect certain recollections of the past; and after a pause he asked, ‘“ What was the name of the English family with which your wife was connected, anc concern- ing whom she hoped to obtain some tidings when setting foot on the English soil?” “The name of that family was Morton,” an- swered Paoli. ‘ But wherefore do you inquire?” “You have that card before you,’ continued the stranger, pointing to the one which Agnes had left; ‘‘and you behold there the name of Evelyn. Did you ever hear that name mentioned before to-day?” “I do not remember that I ever did,” answered Paoli. ‘“ But why this question? You must have some motive “4 “Think! reflect!” interrupted the stranger: “did you never by any accident hear the names of Morton and Evelyn associated ?” * Ah! now that you mention it,” exclaimed Paoli, as a light seemed to be dawning in unto his memory, “I do really think that I have heard my poor deceased wife mention those names in association, Morton Evelyn ?—Morton Evelyn ?” —and Paoli repeated them once or twice, as if to convince himself that they were indeed not alto- gether unfamiliar to his ear. “ Father,” said Corinna, “I assuredly remem- ber to have heard the combined names of Morton and Evelyn issue from the lips of my poor de- ceased mother. It even struck me just now, the moment I glanced at Miss Evelyn’s card, that the name was not unknown to me.” “True, my child!” ejaculated Paoli: “ your mother did indeed mention the name of Evelyn on one or two occasions! And now if oceurs to me that she one day explained how the family of the Mortons, from which .she herself descended, had intermarried with that of the Evelyns, and thus the names had become associated. But the fact is, sir,” continued Paoli, turning towards the stranger, “it was very seldom that my poor wife alluded to her family, until the time when calamity decided us upon visiting this country; for she had married without their consent — they had treated her unkindly — many long years had elapsed during which all intercourse was broken off betwixt herself and her relations in England— and she neither sought nor obtained any informa- tion of them at all. But when misfortune ren- dered us exiles, my poor wife thought that if ever there were a time when there should be forgive- ness and reconciliation, it was at such a period as that ; and she had the idea that the Morton family, which was formerly numerous enough, could not possibly be extinct. Indeed she ex- pected to learn that there were several scions living, and that they were flourishing in their pecuniary circumstances. But alas! in all these hopes was she disappointed! Vain were the in- quiries which I instituted :—-the Mortons for whom I sought and whom I expected to find in the mercantile world, were not to be found! But again let me ask why have you given the conver- sation this turn which it has taken? Strange, and even solemnly interesting would be the coinci- dence—yet Ob, how providentially appropriate !— if that angel who bears the name of Evelyn, hap- pened to be a descendant of those Evelyns with whom the Mortons intermarried !” “ And that coincidence has taken place!” re- joined the stranger emphatically. ‘‘ Yes—it is so! Agnes Evelyn, who came to you in the guise of a ministering angel, is the daughter of a certain Morton Evelyn who must assuredly have been your wife’s cousin.” “ Then Miss Evelyn, who visited us just now,” exclaimed Corinna, “is to some little extent a connexion! Oh, we might almost claim her as a relative!—and what happiness to be able to re- gard her as a being who is at all events very different from a perfect stranger !” “ Yes,” said the English gentleman; “ there is GComichbooksicom