Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 117: what you’re looking at

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love him devotedly! and I would lay down my life for him! You, perceive, however, that I am not altogether happy: you see that there is something perkaps indeed you have already guessed it ? For, Oh! you must have heard those noises last night In short, Mr. De Vere, itis with a deep sense of humiliation I admit to you that the un- fortunate Gustavus has acquired an inveterate taste you understand me——and it is drink that maddens him!” Charles had not been very far from conjecturing the truth: indeed he had already suspected that this would prove the solution of the mystery. He therefore started not with surprise; but his countenance wore an expression of sympathy on behalf of the young lady who was thus revealing her grievances unto him. “Yes,” she continued, “drink maddens him! So wild and strange is his humour that I am com- pelled to pet and pamper him as if he were a spoilt child. His appetite at times so completely fails him that he can only be tempted by the variety as well as the delicacy of his repasts. Hence that profusion which you may perhaps have already noticed;—and it has now become a habit with me to maintain this profusion on every occasion. I saw that you were startled and be- wildered last night when the groom made certain allusions. The truth is, Mr. De Vere, that Gus. tavus plays such wild pranks, the faithful John is always trembling lest the attention of the autho- rities should be directed to the house, and that an order should even be issued from the mayor of the neighbouring village to consign my unfortunate husband to an asylum ora prison. I have how- ever more than once declared that if those bar- barians of Italian sdirri dare venture to make their appearance at this house, I will convert it into a castle and defend the entrance unto the very last! Gustavus shall not be snatched from me!” —and the quadroon’s magnificent eyes flashed fire as she thus spoke. “In the name of heaven, Mrs. Barrington,” exclaimed Charles, “take care how you embroil yourself with the authorities !—for remember that the laws on the Continent are very different from those under which you have dwelt either in Eng- land or in the colonies; and tyrannous acts are perpetrated with facility and readiness in these climes, which could not even be dreamt of in the atmosphere where the British banner waves.” * Rest assured, Mr. De Vere,” replied the qua- droon, “I would not willingly court a quarrel with the authorities: I am only too much afraid that the proceedings of Gustavus will sooner or later involye us in difficulties. Alas! as you may have seen—or at least have suspected—he is at times quite mad, and also of a violence that no coaxing nor persuasion can subdue. His proceed- ings of last night must have afforded you some idea of all that I have to put up with, and the consequences of which I have to apprehend. He rises in the middle of the night, vowing that he is haunted by a spectre—and he will mount his horse and gallop away from the frightful presence of the goblin! Twice last night did he thus spring from his couch and rush to the door of the cham- ber: but on both ovcasions I succeeded in holding him back s “T twice heard the door of a chamber on the AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. same landing open and shut forcibly,” said Charles. “ And Ah!” ejaculated the quadrpon, “ you know not how vexed and annoyed I was on your ac- count. Goodheavens! I wondered what you must think? I was half inclined to steal forth from my chamber when Gustavus slept again—knock at your door—and beg you not to take heed of any disturbances which might occur: but—but —in short, I hoped that you were sleeping soundly,” “Alas, madam,” said Charles, “all you tell me 13 very dreadful—and I deeply sympathize with you! But so long as Mr, Barrington shall be permitted to indulge in his fatal predilec- tion is “Ah! how am I to break him of it?” ejacu- lated the quadroon. “But I have not yet told you all,” she hastened to say. “I had fallen into a deep slumber last night, when on awakening I missed my husband from my side. I glided down stairs, —having tarried only a moment to throw on @ morning wrapper and a straw-hat which I wear in the garden; and I sped to the stables. It was as I dreaded: Gustavus, haunted by his imagi- nary spectre—only half dressed—with wild looks —was hastily saddling and bridling his steed ; and then away he went as if borne on the wing of the whirlwind! His mania is always to gallop through the neighbouring village; for he believes that the instant he passes the churchyard the spectre leaves him. But good heavens! what must the people of that village think?—and how is if indeed that they have remained quiet so long? I ought to have observed, Mr. De Vere,” continued the quadroon, “that when Gustavus is in these insane moods, all my influence over him is annihilated—and the groom shrinks in terror from the fierce looks which his master bends upon him. Ob! it is dreadful to see such a young man —a mere youth—in such a state! But let moe hasten to bring these explanations to a conclusion. I waited anxiously for my husband’s return last night ——” “But what fearful vigils for you to keep, madam !” exclaimed Charles, naturally feeling in- dignant at the conduct of young Barrington. “Ob, I do not complain on my account!” re- plied Emily; “but I fear for my husband—I fear for all the consequences that may ensue—and I experience the deepest mortification and humilia- tion when meeting any of the dwellers in this valley. Ob! last night you may conceive what I felt on your account: and when with emotions which I cannot describe, I peeped round the angle of the building to see whether the light was still burning in your chamber, and whether you were moving about—whether, in short, you had been alarmed by the furious trampling of the horse’s hoofs : “Yes—I saw you, Mrs. Barrington,” inter- jected De Vere. “But I beseech you to quit this painful topic—unless indeed you would permit me to offer my advice u “Well, we shall see,” ejaculated the quadroon, in a somewhat evasive manner. “ But let me say a few words more in reference to the incidents of the past night. Gustavus returned from his mad ride : he seemed to be thoroughly exhausted—and as his head touched the pillow sleep fell upon his MicdIook ie |) co 5}