Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 394: what you’re looking at

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

TT 286 AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. become reduced by those political vicissitudes which are so frequently changing the fortunes of individuals upon the Continent. In a few minutes Hailes was conducted to a sitting-apartment, to which Hector Huardress fol- lowed him. The former ordered some temporary refreshment to stay his appetite until dinner, for which he also issued his instructions; and now while disposing of his luncheon, he resumed the discourse with Hardress. “What did you mean just now,” inquired Hailes, “ when you said that there were several little matters in which you might be enabled to prompt me?” “The best course to adopt,” responded Hardress, “ will be for you to leave the management of your case to my attorney, who can instruct the same counsel for both of us.” “T should not have the slightest objection,” answered young Hailes, ‘‘ only you remember that at the time my uncle insisted on his own solicitor taking up tho business so far as I was con- cerned.” “True !—but that was about putting in bail and that sort of thing,” interrupted Hardress. “However, do as you like Your solicitor can confer with mine—and it will come to the same thing in the end.” “ By the bye,” exclaimed Hailes—and then he suddenly burst out into a merry laugh. “T am glad to see you ina jovial humour, my dear friend,” said Hector. “‘ Might I be permitted to know what it was that tickled your fancy just at the particular moment ?” “T was thinking of a certain person,’ replied Hailes, “ who played a part in the duel-business, bat whom you will scarcely think of producing at the trial.” “ Whom do you mean ?” asked Hector, smitten with a sudden uneasiness. ‘‘Whom the deuce should I mean but your friend Mr. Godolphin? Ha! ha! ha!” and Andrew Hailes, throwing himself back in his chair, gave vent to another hearty outburst of laughter. Hector coloured up to the very hair of his head, as he faltered out, “ What on earth do you mean? Why— why— what makes you indulge in this pleasantry P?” “Tt was really excellont—it was almost too good,” rejoined Hailes, “to go and dress up 4 female in masculine apparel and make her play the part of your second in the duel! No wonder Mr. Godolphin was not forthcoming when the affair went before the magistrate! The joke was a fine one :’—and again Andrew Hailes laughed merrily. Hector thought he had better laugh likewise ; and he said, “Surely you don’t know——~I mean you didn’t suspect anything more——” “Tf you only knew the sequel!” cried Hailes. “The sequel? What do you mean? The sequel was that youand I gave bail and went upon the Continent—though we journeyed in different directions, and lost sight of each other until acci- dent threw us together just now.” “Ah!” said Hailes; and his countenanco as- sumed a sly expression for a moment. “There is something in the background,” said Hardress,—* something which perhaps I really do ’ not know—or that you fancy I may be ignorant of, though in reality it may perhaps be quite the reverse,” “I don’t think I ought to push the subject any furtber,” said Andrew, his looks becoming serious. * Indeed it was thoughtless of me to say so much: but there was a whim in my head at the instant— the recollection of something was tickling my fancy ii * At all events it could be nothing unpleasant,” interrupted Hector, “since it afforded yousomuch © merriment; and there can consequently be no reason why I should not be allowed to share in your mirth.” Hailes reflected for afew moments; and then he said, “If you really wish me to explain what is passing in my mind, you must let me ask you one question first.” “ Proceed,” said Hardress, who was experiencing @ most uneasy interest in the turn which the con- versation had taken. “That girl whom you dressed up and palmed upon me as Mr. Godolphin——OF course I know very well she was a gay lady—perhaps your mis- tress—perhaps a wench whom you picked up out of the street to serve your purpose for the moment F Now was it ?” Hector was almost maddened with rage; and it was with the greatest difficulty he could restrain himself from starting up from bis seat and making a desperate attack upon hiscompanion. But he saw that something important was coming —a mystery had presented itself which he was most apxious to probe to the bottom; and he therefore exercised a befitting control over his feelings. “Well,” he said, “go on, Hailes—form what conjecture you like concerning the matter.” * Ah! I see, then, that I was not far astray when I estimated the fair one at such a low standard of morality—though she was certainly a very superior person for her position, The question I wished to ask is simply whetber you ever see the young lady now, and whether she bas apy particular claim upon you, or you haye any special tenderness for her?” * And if I said that I had?” asked Hector. “ Well then, I should close my mouth and con- sider it my duty to abstain from uttering another syllable on the point.” ‘“ But if on the other hand,’ resumed Hardress, “T were to tell you that I care nothing about the girl—that all vou have conjectured is correct—and © that consequently it is by no means probable i should concern myself much on her behalf In- deed, if I were to add that I have never seen het since that fatal evening, exactly three months back ” “Tf you were to tell me all this,” said Hailes, “T should think that it was the very statement which was most likely to be consistent with the truth.” — “Take itas such,” said Hardress: and he af- fected to smile as if with a careless sort of levity. “And now proceed without hesitation to tell me what is uppermost in your mind.” “The adventures of that evening, so far as I was concerned,” pursued Andrew, “ had a termipa- tion which was ludicrous enougb, though by n° means disagreeable. You remember how we parted ?” NMAMIClOOOLK COL