Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 362: what you’re looking at

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

| 304 bind you, when I experienced a sensation like a remorse—I felé that I was doing wrong to euffer you, @ young inexperienced creature—the child too of such wayward impulses—to go forth into the world alone ? “And why did you not come after me, Gus- tavus?” inquired the quadroon, “Oh, because—because, Emily——andoed, you ought to understand—or you must not be angry with me if I explain , *‘No, no! I comprehend you! After such a scene as that, Gustavus, you felt that you ought to proclaim everything to bo at an end between us, and that it would be a yeritable weakness on your part if you were to yield to any false notion of generosity under such circumstances! iiave I not rightly interpreted your motives and your re- flections P” “Yes—to a certain extent—indeed I think wholly,” faltered Gustavus; for he was afraid that he was approaching upon delicate ground. ‘ How- ever, my dear Emily,” he immediately added, “ you will admit that the feelings with which I was in- spired on the occasion, were a proof of the linger- ing love that I entertained for you ” ci Yes—Ohb, yes!” sho ejaculated: and then in a low—very low, and scarcely audible fone, she murmured, “The lingering love!” “But after all,” resumed Gustavue, having emptied his glass—an example which wea followed by the quadroon,—“ it was better thas things should have taken the course which they have done. Now let me see? That dreadful day at Florence was the 23rd of November, and this is the 6th of December. Twelve days! And what changes have been wrought in this brief interval ! How altered have you become, my Emily! How wonderfully have all the best qualities of your nature been developed! Pardon me for saying that some of your loftiest attributes lay dormant —unknown—aye, even unsuspected—until circum- stances thus suddenly brought them to light. But what was the cause P It was the sepsration that took place between us! And all this immense amount of good was effected by a sovaration of only twelve days!” And what inference would you progeed thence to draw, Gustavus?” asked the quadroon, atili contemplating her husband earnestly with those magnificent eves which even seemed to become more luminous as the conversation progressed, or with each additional drop of wine which passed her lips. “Tho inference is unmistakable, my Gear Emily,” answered Gustavus. “If twelve dayso* separation produced such a salutary effect, what must be the result of this far longer severance which is now to take place? Ah, my dear Emily! sou showed your wisdom in agreeing to it! It will prove the starting-point of a new course of happiuess for us both 1 “You reason upon it, Gustavus,” said the que- droop, “ with a species of philosophic coc!ness.” “To bo sure, Emily !--because I know it is for our mutual good. ad “ And how think you, dear Gustavus, the time will pass for gow in my absence? Shall you be happy P” “Happy, Emily? Ob, yes!—because X shall be looking forward to the period of your return ' a a a moe AGNES; OR, SEAUTY AND PLEASURE. BGs i ces AN hs Seek when I may again clasp you in my arms, and welcome you as my beloved wife who thenceforth is resolved to study my happiness to the utmost!” There was already a deepening of the rich car« nation tint upon the quadroon’s cheeks; but now deeper still did it glow through the transparent duskiness of her complexion, and more luminous became the superb black eyes which were gazing so earnestly upon Gustavus. “And then too,” he continued, “I shalk very frequently be wit ‘the Dalhams —” “Oh, very frequently, no doubt !” interjected the quadroon : and for a moment so strange a fire seemed to flash from her eyes that Gustayus started: hut he immediately recovered bis self- possession, feeling convinced that it was mero fancy on his part. ‘To de sure' I shall.be almost constantly with them,” he continued: “I shall make them my only companions, because I shall care but little for society until your return. And now that I know you love Winifred as you ought to do ‘ “Love her? Oh, yes! certainly ! ! No doubt I love her just as I ought to do !’—and now there was something in the quadroon’s looks which struck Gustavus as being so peculiar that a sue- Picion arose in his mind,—but a suspicion so vague, indefinite, and fleeting, that it almost i ins stantancously ceased to trouble him. “To be sure, Emily,” he went on to say, “it is impossible to doubt the sincerity of the love—tho sisterly leve I may even call it—which you expo- rience for Winifred after the munibcent proof you have given of it. And Ah! when l take the child in my arms~as I know I shall often do——” “Ob, I was sure you would! J was sure sen would !”—and it was witha strange energy that the quadroon spoke. “Ah, i see that you love the innocent little babe as much as you do its mother,’ proceeded Gus- tavus.—-*‘ But do yon not think the room is very warm, Emily?” he abruptiyasked. TI feelas if L had a flush upon mycountenance—yes, and & heat throughout my entire frame. It is absulutesly feverish! And yet beaven knows I have ant taken a great deal of wine!” “It is through sitting so close to the fire,” auswered Emily.’ “The room however és hot: but then the December weather outside is very eold— and it would be impossible to have the window open; while as for the door, the servants keep passing along the pessage.” “Well, I suppose I shall get cooler presently,” interrupted Gustavus. “But you also, my dear Emily, are flushed. And Ob! if you only saw how bright your eyes are shining !” “Indeed ?? — and the quadroon, starting up from her seat, threw a look into the mirror over the mantel; and therein she caught the reflection of the vivid lightnings which were rendering hor large black orbs fearfully luminous. “T told you so,” said young Barrington, as ha also rose up from his seat. ‘ But by heaven! i seems to me as if my own eyes were brighter than . usual!—and Ah! there is indeed a flush upon my cheeks !” “Your eyes are always handsome, Gustavus,” exclaimed the quadroon, throwing her arms about his neck; “and you know that your cheeks slways become flushed with even three or four glasses of Ghbooks oe — (©) im