Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 204: what you’re looking at

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196 AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. give him a cordial which would be “ound in the cupboard The request was complied with; and in a few minutes Sir John Dalham began to rally. “Timperley,” he said, “how long have you known thisP when did you learn that Roderick had secretly married that girl ?” “T only learnt it this afternoon,” replied Tim- perley. “It was by mere accident —I would however rather not mention any more particu- lars——” ee en en ee “Anybody, except Roderick!’ exclaimed the old man fiercely. ‘Proceed! draw up the will— let the business be concluded ere you leave this room |” Mr. Timperley did not wait for any further bid- ding: he drew up the will, by virtue of which Sir Jobn Dalham bequeathed one-third of whatsoever property he might leave behind him to certain charitable institutions which were named; and the residue was devised unto his “faithful friend “And why did you not tell me of it the instant | Thomas Timperley, solicitor of Lincoln’s Inn you came into my presence?’ demanded the Baronet. “The truth is, Sir John,” replied the attorney, “T came on purpose to communicate this intelli- gence: but in the first place you received me so coolly—then we got upon other subjects of such _deep interest “Well, well—no matter!” interjected the Baro- net: “the terrible tidings have at length been communicated to me! How long has Roderick been united to that young woman?” demanded Sir John, after a pause. “Y am unable to answer the question,” said Timperley. “The fact is, I called at a house just | now, where accident led me to do that which your son Roderick himself did at that door ” “T comprehend !” interjected Sir John, listened to what was going on P” “ Exactly so,” replied Timperley; “ and I over- heard enough to convince me that Mr. Dalham was wedded to Winifred.” “And I have disowned him! I have discarded him!” said the Baronet, with a gloomy sternness. | “T do not repent of what I have done—but I should blame myself if I had not done it. Good | heavens! to think that the very thing which could | most have embittered the conciuding years of my | fife, should have been accomplished! But he is no longer my son! Ab, he may write to me—he | may implore my forgiveness—but I will never | relent! never! never! My title I cannot prevent from descending unto him; but in any case it shall be an empty one. Look you, Timperley! [ will make my will forthwith—you shall draw it up now—at this moment! If I gain the lawsuit I shall still be a rich man and have wealth to dis- | pose of. Heaven be thanked, there is no entail | in the estates! I will leave everything away from Roderick. But if I lose the lawsuit—well, even | in that case the little that there may be to dispose of shall pass away from him. Take your pen, Timperley there! sit down and write.” “But to whom will you bequeath whatsoever you may have to leave, Sir John?” inquired the lawyer. “If I remember right, I think I have heard you say that you have no relations upon earth that you know of except your son.” “None,” answered the Baronet. ‘ But I will leave everything to a hospital—to a charity—to a public institution of some kind or another Tn | short, I will do anything with my property sooner than leave a single farthing to him whom I have disowned and discarded !” “Well,” said Mr, Timperley, “if that be really your intention, Sir John—and as [I think I com- prehend your wishes so thoroughly and completely —you had better perhaps It is only a sugges- tion, mind!—but I was going to say that perhaps you had better leave me your executor,” “ You ou aS PS eS = =ecomicbhooks.co Fields.” The lawyer failed not to be struck with the idea that if ever this will were put in force, people would inevitably suspect that while he had been engaged as the legal adviser of Mr. Barring- ton he was treacherously playing into the hands ~ of Sir John Dalham; but this consideration was not so strong as the temptation against which it had to be weighed. So Mr. Timperley muttered to himself, “I shall get over that suspicion, some- how or another ;” and he went on with the draft of the will, When the document was in readiness for sig- mature, a couple of the domestics were summoned to witness it; and it was with a firm steady hand that Sir John Dalham affixed his name to the deed which disinherited his son. In the meanwhile Roderick had taken his departure fiom the house, —having packed up his personal effects, which he ordered a man-servant to carry to a certain cottage in Kentish Town. Need we add this was the re- sidence of his wife Winifred P Before concluding the present chapter, let us remind the reader that at the same moment when old Mr, Barrington had forgiven his granddaughter Winifred, and was endeavouring to make a will in her favour, Sir John Dalham had discarded his son and made a will utterly prejudicial to his interests. We should also remark that whereas the will which was of such importance to Winifred’s interests, re- mained unsigned, and therefore of no more value than a piece of waste paper,—that other will which disinherited her husband Roderick, was duly signed and attested ; so that while in the former in- stance the good intent failed to be carried out, ‘in the latter instance the evil aim: was fully ac- complished ! CHAPTHR XXXIV. THE JUDGMENT AND ITS RESULTS, On the third day after the incidents which we have been recording, the memorable lawsuit of “ Barrington versus Dalham” was to be brought to a conclusion. There were no longer any delays to be apprehended—no fresh arguments to be ad- duced—no new bills to be filed—no more affidavits to be putin. Judgment was actually on the point of being pronounced! It was not now to stand over for next Term; but it was veritably and posi- tively this present Term that the business was to be ended! The great case which had lasted over thirty years—which had consumed vast sums of money, and had afforded opportunity for the exer- cise of so much fraud, intrigue, and chicanery on the part of more than one lawyer,—this memorable case of “ Barrington versus Dalham,” we say, was about to be concluded !