Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 208: what you’re looking at

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

200 “but there is a servant from St. John’s Wood— he is inquiring most anxiously for you, Mr. Dal- ham—he has been to the cottage in Kentish Town —he there learnt that you would be most likely found here—the man’s looks are very much troubled—I really think, sir, that he has something to communicate in reference to your father a “I will go to him,” said Dalham : and he has- tened down stairs. Mrs. Slater remained in the drawing-room to condole with Winifred ; and after a few obserya- tions, she said, “It is to be hoped, my young friend, that your cousin Gustavus will behave libe- rally to you in reference to the fortune.” “T am sure Gustavus, with all his faults,” answered Winifred, “ possesses a good heart; but I am confident that my husband would never ac- cept as a gift or as a charity fs “It would be no charity, Winifred,” inter- rupted Mrs. Slater: “for even if Gustavus were to abandon on your behalf the whole of the for- tune which he has just inherited, it would only be doing as he ought, inasmuch as the dying in- tentions of your poor grandfather are now well known 2 “ My husband has his pride, Mrs, Slater,” inter- rupted Winifred. ‘‘And then too, he knows that there was 4 time when I thought that Gustavus looked upon me as his intended bride ; and Rode- tick would not accept a favour from a person who had once been as it were a rival. Oh! you know, my dear friend, that I covet not riches for my own sake; while on the other hand I am equally indifferent to poverty, because I can work for my bread. But Oh! when I think of my hus- band—and my unborn babe,—when I reflect that Roderick is discarded and disowned But Ah! did you not say that it was a message from his father that the servant brought? My brain is confused ? “No, no—I did not say so,” interjected Mrs. Slater. “I only said I thought it might be so, for the man’s looks were troubled.” At this moment Roderick Dalham hastily re- appeared ; and approaching his wife, he said, “‘ My dear Winifred, the coincidence is most extraordi- nary ! most deplorable!” Her husband’s distressed looks at once struck her with the force of a presentiment ; and in a voice full of anxiety, she said, “Oh ! do you mean, dear Roderick, that your father has died with- out leaving you his blessing.” * Alas, it is so, dear Winifred !” he responded. “My father is no more! I am Sir Roderick Dalham—and you are Lady Dalham. Empty titles, Winifred!—empty titles only !—for not merely did my parent discard me”—here Roderick sobbed for a moment—“ but he disowned me to the very uttermost extent of his power; and what- soever he had to leave, he bequeathed to that villain Timperley !” ‘Ob, my poor husband!” cried Winifred, throw- ing ber arms about Roderick’s veck ; ‘it cuts me to the very quick to think that through me you should have been discarded and disowned !” ** Blame not yourself, Winifred,’ interrupted Sir Roderick—and he embraced her affectionately. “I do not forget,” he added, in a low whisper, “how it was I who forced you, as it were, to ac- company me to the altar—how [I prayed and en- AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. treated that you would become my wife! You therefore need not blame yourself for whatsoever’ consequences have ensued. No, Winifred!” added Sir Roderick, emphatically; ‘nor do I for a single moment regret the hour which made you mine !” There was a brief pause, during which tender caresses were exchanged between the husband and wife; and Mrs, Slater wiped the tears from her eyes, for she was deeply moved by the scene that was passing before her. * Ts it not strange,” resumed Si Roderick Dal- ham, “ that the decision of the lawsuit should kave led to two deaths, occurring within the same hour, and almost at the same instant! Plaintiff and Defendant—there they were, each stretched upon the bed of death! Excess of joy and excess of grief struck two blows which gave two victims over to the hands of death! The one lives not to enjoy the riches which suddenly showered upon him: the other has gone out of the world at the moment when the vortex of ruin opened at his feet! These are solemn teachings, Winifred ! Not that you, my dear wife, require such moral influences for the improvement of your own mind; because under all changing circumstances and every phase of life I have found your conduct the same—admirable—most admirable!” There was another pause ; and this. was sud- denly broken by Sir Roderick Dalham, who ex- claimed with passionate vehemence, “ By heaven! my father’s creditors shall not be defrauded by that villain Timperley !” “ How know you,” asked Winifred—or Lady Dalham, as we may now call her—“ that such is his intention ?” “The friendly valet who has come to inform me of my father’s death,” replied Sir Frederick, “ was told by Mr. Timperley that everything at the villa now belonged to him—that he was the master there—and that he therewith took possession of all that the house contained. For this reason I argue the very worst. But the iniquity shall not be ac- complished !” “What will you do, dear Roderick ?” asked Winifred, suddenly becoming affrighted by the look and manner of her husband. ‘Fear nothing from any rashness on my part!” he responded. ‘I will not be intemperate—I will do nothing that can jeopardise my safety! Fear not therefore, I repeat! I will soon return, dear Winifred!” Sir Roderick then quitted the house ; and stop- ping acab, he took his seat in it, ordering the driver to take him to the villa in the neighbour- hood of St. John’s Wood. On reaching his desti- nation, he inquired of the footman who opened the front door, whether Mr. Timperley was still there ? lacquey said ina tone the sincerity of which was unmistakable, “I hope to God, Sir Roderick, that you will not be altogether deprived of your just rights!” “T claim no rights for myself,” was the new Baronet’s answer ; “but I am determined that those who may have any claims upon my late father’s property shall not be defrauded.” “Defrauded?” echoed Mr, Timperley, who at this moment came forth from the dining-room. “ Defrauded? Pray, Sir Roderick, did you mean to apply the word in a manner disrespectful, and The reply was in the aflirmative ; and the chook ee — (C@) 3