Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 46: what you’re looking at

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

38 duel, which would cast suspicion upon his courage and tarnish his honour. In the other letter he delicately avowed his love to Agnes,—declaring that when at the last moment he should stand in the presence of his enemy, her name would be coupled with that of his mother in the prayer that he should be breathing to heayen; and he likewise besought that she would now and then devote a thought to the memory of one who had loved her with so much silent, untold devotion. Having finished these letters, Charles felt easier in his mind: it seemed as if all earthly duties were now performed, and that naught remained but to abide the issue of the coming encounter. He re- tired to his bed, and slept serenely until five o’clock in the morning. He now rose and dressed himself noiselessly ; and carrying his boots in his hand—so that he might glide down the staircase with the stealthiness of a ghost—he issued from his chamber. Opposite to his own door, was that of his mother’s room ; and the young man could scarcely repress a suffocating sob as he thought perhaps he was doomed never again to behold that affectionate parent. Was she sleeping, dreamless even of a suspicion of the peril that awaited her son ?—or was she awake, and faucying that he sfiil slept? Charles could not help asking himself these questions; and for a moment they nearly unmanned him. But he exerted his strength of mind ; and stealing down the staircase, gained the passage. There he drew on his boots; and noiselessly let himself out of the house. It was only half-past five: he had a walk of about twenty minutes before him: and the ap- pointment was for six o’clock. He was therefore in plenty of time ; and he was the first to reach the ground—the particular place having been arranged between himself and Mr. Summers on the preceding evening. In a few minutes Sum- mers himself appeared ; and to this gentleman’s charge did De Vere consign the two letters which he had written—but which, as a matter of course, were only to be delivered in case that their writer should fall in the duel. We will now return to Belmont Cottage. Mrs. De Vere was indeed sleeping at the moment when her son was passing her chamber door to go forth to the hostile encounter. She had been for many hours awake during all the early part of the night, —her mind troubled with the image of that old harridan who seemed determined to haunt her. Mrs. De Vere had at length fallen into a slumber which was rendered all the more profound by mental exhaustion; and she slept until about half-past six o’clock. Then she rose—for it was AGNES: OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. early an hour as half-past six. Mrs. De Vere now entertained some little misgiving: then she thought of that visit from Captain Fitzherbert, and of her son’s absence for more than three hours jn the evening. It struck her likewise that there had been something peculiar in his manner at dinner-time and after his return from his visit to Captain Fitzherbert. She recalled several little peculiarities of look and abstractions which had not made any particular impression on her at the time, but all of which now came trooping rapidly in upon her recollection. The longer she re the more alarmed she grew: there was the idea of a duel vaguely floating in her mind; but she could not settle herself to the belief that Charles had by any possibility become involyed in such a peril. With increasing uneasiness Mrs. De Vere ra- pidly performed her toilet; and she descended from her chamber to look forth anxiously from the front door in the hope of beholding herson. It was now only seyen o'clock; and she thought to herself that if he had indeed gone merely for a ramble, he might not return until breakfast-time, which was half-past eight ; and thus she would be compelled to endure the growing horror of this suspense for a mortal hour and a half. In a few minutes he made his appearance: he was hurrying along, unconscious that bis mother was at the cot- tage door awaiting him, There was confusion in his brain—ghastliness in his looks; while his step was uneven as if he were intoxicated. Mrs. De Vere bounded forward to the gate, with a half- stifled cry of alarm upon her lips; and the sound reaching the ears of her son, instantaneously re- called him to a sense of his position. Then was it that with the exertion of a preterhuman effort he suddenly became calm and collected in his manner and bearing; though an ashy whiteness, as if of lingering terror or horror, remained upon his countenance. Mrs, De Vere dared not ask him a question: his presence had to a certain extent relieved her from the suspense she had been endur- ing; and as she now beheld two or three labourers approaching on the way to their work, she passed into the house, Charles following her, “You look annoyed, my dear mother,” he said, affecting his wonted light-hearted cheerfulness and youthful gaiety. “Perhaps you were surprised that I went out earlier than usual? But the morning was so beautiful—the air was so fresh— and the birds were singing so sweetly, as if uncon- scious that the hand of Autumn had tinged the. leaves of the trees > “Charles, my dear boy!” ejaculated Mrs. De Vere, who, having closed the parlour door, now her habit to rise early,in order to ‘have breakfast | adyanced up to him, fixing her eyes half reproach- punetually at half-past eight, so that Charles | fully, half anxiously upon his countenance; “for should be enabled to leave the house at nine, and | heaven’s sake cease these duplicities—and be my thus allow himself an hour to ‘walk to the Home| own candid, frank-speaking, ingenuous son once Office, where his duties commenced at ten. Uj} }=] = }.=°=]=}=} = ls nnn ee mmm mmmmsss sc When Margaret was summoned, as usual, to | assist at her mistress’s toilet, she intimated that Mr. De Vere must have gone out for a walk; for his chambér door was ajar, and the front door was unlocked. Charles was seldom in the habit of walk- ing out before breakfast, for the simple reason that he had the prospect of so long a walk after- wards: but even when he did stroll forth ere the morning meal was seryed up, it was never at 80 again! What have you been doing?” *T, mother ?”—and the young man endeavoured to send forth that light laugh of merry joyousness, which, when he was really gay and cheerful, was wont to ring in masculine melody from his lips: “merely enjoying the loveliness of the morn- 1D ”? 4 “Charles, it is false!’ interrupted Mrs. De Vere, with an excitement and a vehemence which surprised and startled the young man, “ You econnicloool ks (G(O) - - ee ae el a ee SY . & ny