Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 42: what you’re looking at

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x —— 34 sufficieat for the proper maintenance of her who would thus become my beloved bride. In a word 4 “Enough, Mr. Hardress,” said Agnes, firmly yet kindly : “ your reasonings, however well meant —and I give you credit for the most honourable sincerity—have failed to convince me. You have sought my opinion; and I now giveit. Neyer AGNES; OB, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. denly inspired with a preterhuman strength, had torn herself from his arms. At the same instant there was a crashing and rushing amidst the ever- greens—some one darted forth—and as if a flash of lightning had struck him, Hardress was levelled upon the ground. It was Charles De Vere who had thus suddenly appeared upon the scene. with my concurrence shall Floribel é Hector sprang to his feet; and with a savage “ Floribel ?” ejaculated Hardress, stopping short | ery he was about to rush at the young Govern- in his walk with Agnes along the shady avenue; | ment clerk,—when Agnes, who had already flung and his look suddenly became full of bewildered | a glance full of gratitude upon Charles, exclaimed, astonishment. “ Dare not, Mr. Hardress, to make this place the “Yes, Mr. Hardress,” continued Agnes—though | scene of your violence !” at a loss to conceive the cause of his strange looks ; “No—you are right!” said Hector, in a yoice “T never could counsel my cousin to become your’s | hoarse with rage, while his countenance was by a clandestine alliance. And remember, I am | ghastly pale and the quick workings of his fea- by no means confident that she regards you other- | tures showed how deep was the concentration of wise than as a mere friendly acquaintance. I | his fury: then without uttering another word, he hope that in the circumstances in which you are | flung a look of vindictive hatred upon Charles— placed in regard to your parents, you will not | picked up his hat, and sped away. ~ speak to Floribel on the subject-——” We must here interrupt the thread of our nar- “ Good heaven! isit possible that such an error | rative for a few moments to describe how it was should have existed all this time ?” exclaimed | that young De Vere had happened to make hts Hardress. “It is not Floribel whom I love!—it | appearance upon the spot at that particular mo- is not your cousin who has won my heart! It is| ment. He had obtained a whole holiday from his you, adored and beautiful Agnes!—it is your- | Office; and inspired by his cherished yet untold self !” affection for Agnes, he had repaired to the villa, For a few instants Miss Evelyn gazed upon | without much reflection upon the somewhat early Hector with a look of mingled bewilderment and | period of the day for such a visit. On arriving affright: then she suddenly became filled with con- at the house, he learnt from Rachel that Miss fusion, the roses blushing upon her cheeks : but by « Lister was not yet visible (for she had only just a transition as rapid as the preceding ones, she, gone up to put off her morning negligée), and that regained her self-possession; and she said, “It | Miss Evelyn was in the garden. Charles had was indeed an error of which I was most innocent! ‘ therefore hastened to join Agnes in her ramble,— But while now thanking you, Mr. Hardress, in blessing his stars at the lucky prospect of finding another sense z: himself alone with her. a — — “ Ob, Agnes!” he exclaimed, “do not destroy | her white drapery through the evergreens: he the hope which you have conjured up!—do not approached from the opposite side of the verdant dash me down from the height of my happi- ness——” “Stop, sir!” said Agnes, with maiden dignity and firmness, though without anger—for the young patrician had neither spoken nor done aught that was otherwise than flattering and complimentary to herself ; “ this is language to which I must not listen — because it is out of my power to give you the slightest hope or the faintest encourage- ment.” ** Agnes!” he cried, “ you are reducing me to despair! By heaven, I adore you!”—and seizing her hand, he was on the point of conveying it to his lips. Then that young maiden of less than eighteen years of age, displayed all a woman’s dignity ; and exclaiming, “ Release my hand, sir!’”’ she forcibly drew it from him ere his lips had touched it. Hardress was maddened by the intensity of his passion, as well as the pressure, though so tempo- rary, in which he had retained that beauteous hand, so white, so soft, so warm. His eyes were devouring the transcendent loveliness of her coun- tenance, and wandering rapidly over the faultless outlines of her shape. He was not the master of his actions. In a moment he seized her in his arms,—exclaiming, “ By heayen, Agnes, you shall be mine !” His hot breath fanned her cheek: but before that pure damask cheek of her’s was polluted by the lustful kiss of his lips, the indignant girl, sud- rm ee | He caught a glimpse of barrier; and then voices met his ear. Hardress was speaking,—was speaking too of love! Charles was transfixed to the spot. He was incapable of becoming a deliberate, wilful, and premeditated listener: but he had no thought now for anything but the ome subject which so vitally concerned him. It was the subject upon which all his * earthly happiness depended! Therefore he lis- — tened. Good heavens! Hector Hardress was avowing his love to Agnes; and Agnes was not rejecting him!—her words were tantamount to an acknowledgment that his suit was not disagree- | able! And now Hardress speaks of a clandestine marriage! What wilf Agnes reply? Charles was full of the poignant agony of suspense. Ab, ~ she repudiates the idea with firmness—she re- fuses her consent! Still she loves him; and Charles is reduced to despair! No, no! she loves him not !—it is all an error—she was thinking that Hardress merely did her the honour to consult her in respect to her cousin Floribel. Joy! joy! the heart of young De Vere bounds and leaps within him. But, Ah! what is that? Hardress speaks vehemently. An insult to Agnes! Ob to punish the author of that insult !—to strike him down! And it was done. Hector Hardress fled: Charles remained alone with Agnes. Warmly yet modestly did she ex- press her gratitude for his chivalrous conduct; and he exclaimed in an impassioned tone that so long ashe had an arm to protect her, no living being NOOKS EE é (Co)