Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 40: what you’re looking at

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

=e a OS ae | er re ee —-. — _——— AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. hat; and she was attired in a neat morning-des- kabillds, the very simplicity of which was elegance itself. Nothing could exceed the loveliness of her appearance; and as she wandered amidst the mazes of the avenues, the light drapery defined her sylphid form against the dark back-ground of the dense foliage of the evergreens. Her well- shaped feet, with their arching insteps, trod lightly upon the gravel-walks; and the skirt of her dress now and then revealed the delicately rounded ankles, There was a gentle breeze subduing the sultriness of the noon-day sun; and upon that zephyr’s breath floated the ribbons of the large straw hat—while at the same time it seemed to play kissingly amongst the luxuriant tresses of her bright auburn hair. It happened that while Agnes was tkus walking in the garden, Hector Hardrese arrived at the villa,—on this occasion at least an hour earlier | than usual. It was not without premeditation that he thus made his appearance at such a time. He wished to be certain that no other visitors would be there at the same moment; and he was looking out for an opportunity of speaking alone to one of the cousins. He had arrived on foot; and on reaching the iron gate of the garden, which happened to be open, he caught a glimpse of the sylphid form of Agnes moving amidst the ever- greens at a little distance. “ Ah!’ he ejaculated, with an expression of sa- tisfaction upon his countenance: and he eutered the garden. Without proceeding direct towards the house, he at once struck into a winding path, which in a few moments brought him to the avenue where Agnes was now rambling. She was proceeding towards the further extremity: her back was turned to the visitor—and she was unconscious of his presence. He had leisure to regard the sylphid form that was before him,—to mark that sculptured slope of the shoulders—that slenderness of the waist—those hyperion tresses which shone like gold when they fluttered forth beyond the shade of the large hat. And now Agnes stooped ¢o examine some flowers upon the border; and | Hardress caught a glimpse of the beautifully shaped feet and the delicately rounded ankles. A few moments afterwards Agnes reached a spot where there was a large statue of Diana upon a pedestal; and she stood to contemplate it. We have already said that there were several statues interspersed about the garden,—some having been selected according to the taste of Floribel, some according to that of Agnes. This one of which we are speaking was in the latter category; and as it was a very beautiful work of art, the young | disposition to be at most times self-possessed and composed ; and thus it was even scarcely with a start that she became aware of his presence; while it seemed perfectly natural that on calling to pay @ visit, and perceiving her to be in the garden, he should join her there. Yet if there were in the mind of Agnes any thought at the instant more prominent than another, it was a slight sentiment of surprise that Hardress should not have sought her cousin in the drawing-room: for bearing in mind the cold reserve which she had for weeks maintained towards Hector, and which had only recently worn off — recollecting too that it was Floribel who generally sustained the conversation with him when it turned upon operas and novels and other superficialities— Agnes naturally con- ceived that Mr. Hardresa preferred her cousin’s society to her own. “Perhaps I ought to apologize, Miss Evelyn,” said Hector, after a few observations had been exchanged, “for making my appearance at such an hour at your abode: but I confess that I had a | fixed object in view.” | “Indeed, Mr. Hardress?” said Agnes, wonder- ing what that object could be, but almost inclined to think it would prove some frivolous triviality. * Yes, Miss Evelyn.” he continued, “I have a purpose which I can no longer defer, and yet even now I scarcely know in what manner to approach the subject. Pray be patient with me! It is im- possible that for three months I could have visited | at Sidney Villa without becoming deeply sensible of the beauty ot one who is in eyery way worthy | of my regard. To behold that one—to be fre- quently in her society—to enjoy her conversation —to listen to the tones of her voice Ah! J | Should be possessed of a heart of stone if I had | remained unsusceptible of all those influences !” Agnes thought to herself, “‘ He loves Floribel; 'and he chooses to consult me before he avows himself to her. It is kind—it is delicate—it is discreet on his part!” ' . ‘What answer may I expect, Miss Evelyn?” continued Hector. ‘Dare 1 indulge ina hope? —may I venture to flatter myself that I shall not _be doomed to the bitterness of disappointment ?” “IT thank you, Mr. Hardress,” responded Agnes, with a soft maicenly dignity, blending | with a greater friendliness of manner than she had ever yet displayed towards him, “ for the compli- /ment you are paying me, and for the honour | which you are confering upon me, by addressing | me thus in the first instance. But I know not how to answer you unless it be by putting a preliminary question.” Ob, ask me anything,” exclaimed Hector, lady seldom passed it without pausing for a few | whose inward rapture was so great as almost to moments to contemplate it. It does not require | subdue the enthusiasm of his tone; “and rest a very fanciful imagination to discern something | assured that I will deal frankly and candidly wita allegorical in the scene itself — that beautiful | you!” maiden gazing upon that admirable statue! For | Hardress rose still higher in the lady’s estima- was there no type in the Goddess of Chastity tion; and every lingering influence (if any there which applied to Agnes herself? Yes—it was so: | still were) of the anonymous letter passed away but Hector Hardress, though tolerably well read | from her mind. in the vlassics, possessed not a mind of a suffici- “The question I would put, Mr. Hardress,” pro- ently delicate contexture to be struck by the trath- | ceeded Agnes, “is whether your parents, Lord ful force of that natural allegory. and Lady Mendlesham, are acquainted with the Agnes now heard a footstep advancing; and step you are now taking?” looking around she beheld the Hon, Hector Hard-| ‘“ Frankly, Miss Evelyn, they are sot,” rejoined ress. It was in the very nature of her artless Hector. “In the first place I felt it to be ua- CoOnniclooolkxs TE A — ee eee eee .