Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 162: what you’re looking at

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

AGES; OR, BRAUTY AND PLEASURE. have heard things-against me———there have been points in my conduct in reference to Guetavas— and—Winifred—some time ago—which have been mentioned to you 7 “T have ceased to think of them,” interrupted Sir Roderick. “ Besides, rest assured that my dear Winifred never dwelt more than was neces- sary upon unpleasant subjects.” “I'know that she is all goodness!” said the quadroon softly. ‘ Where is she ?” “Let me hasten in the first place to inquire,” interjected Sir Roderick, “concerning Gustavus P Is he well? or why have you come alone ?” “You will see him shortly,” rejoined Emily. “But I came firet of all—dnd alone—because—— But,” she suddenly interrupted herself, “it is no unpleasant subject!” and she smiled with an air of peculiar satisfaction, revealing her beautiful white teeth, while .a sunny light appeared to play in the depths of her magnificent black eyes. “1 will explain everything presently. Meanwhile Jet me again inquire concerning Winifred P” Dalham explaincd that his wife had that day rendered him the father of a beautiful boy. The quadroon grasped his hand, proffering her fervid congratulations; and she exclaimed jo all the moat enthusiastic accents of her musical voice, ‘ Oh, how I long to felicitate Winifred herself, and to kiss the dear babe !” Sir Roderick was as much enchanted as sur- prised by the friendly and even affectionate con- duct of the quadroon towards himself and those who were so dear to him; and he said, “I will at once ascend to Winifred’s chamber and tell her that you are here. She will be glad to welcome ou »» “No—not yet! not yet!” interrupted Emily. “ Let me first oxplain the motive for which I have come, and then you shall announce my presence to dear Winifred.” “Tam sorry, my déar Mrs. Barrington, that so humble a place as this——” , “Call me Emily,” said the quadroon, “as I mean to call you Roderick. Did you not just now observe that we are kinsfolk? Ob, I mean that there shall be happiness and friendsbip and good- fellowship for the future! There is much,” she added, with a profound sigh, “in refer2nce to the past which I could desire to be altogether undone —or at least forgotten ” “Rest assured, my dear Emily,” answered Roderick, “that since you come in this friendly temper unto us, and with so many kind words, Winifred will receive you with open arms. No- thing will give her greater pleasure than to wel- come you as @ cousin~—aye, and to love you even as a sister!” “JT know not to what extent you may have heard, Roderick, of how at one time I ill-treated and insulted her who is your wife,” resumed Emily, with a look and tone of the deepest contrition ; “but you will presently be enabled to judge whether I am heartily penitent for the past, and whether I be not anxious to make atonement by means of substantial deeds as well as by mere words.” “I believe—I believe you, Emily!” exclaimed Dalham : “yes—I believe you without any farther corroboration! But I was just now on the point of remarking that I am sorry I cannot welcome 347 you to a more luxurious and contfortable abode. Nevertheless, if you are come to stay with 1 which E sincerely hope is the ease ——” “No, Roderick: my visit is a fleeting ona,” in- terrupted Emily ; and again she heaved a profound sigh. “Tam going to Jamaica.” | “To Jamaica P” echoed Dalham. “ Let me hope thet Mr. Pinnock ia in no danger. I heard the other day from Mr. Millard, when I went to in- quire where a letter would find your husband, that Mr. Pinnock’s health was failing-———-” “My father is dead,” said the quadroon in » low tone: and then she raised her kerchief to her eyes. “Dead!” repeated Dalham. “ Ob, Emily, I sympathize with you! I regret that I should have elicited the announcement so abruptly from your lips!” “And now you understand,” she resumed, “ wherefore I am going to Jamaica.” “Does Gustavus accompany youP But of course he will! I was foolish to ask such a question !” “Oa the contrary,” interrupted the quadroon, “Guetavus will not accompany me. Neither is it tu look after my deceased father’s affairs that I am going to Kingston. No!—for everything was so considerately and judiciously arranged by him when upon his death-bed, that all his fortune and estates at once became mine. 1 have thie day learnt from Mr. Millard the fullest particulars on this head. But Tam going to Jamaica—first of all because I feel that it is my duty to go and drop @ tear over the resting-place of him who was ever so kind and good to me, and by whose couch I ought to have been in his last illness; and in the second place, 1 am going to Jamaica,” continucd the quadroon, in a voice that was broken with subs, “ because—because—~I may no longer remain in Europe because alas! I have given mortal offence to Gustavus—and—and—everything is at an end between him and me!” ‘Good heavens!” ejaculated Dalham, shocked by this intelligence: “is it possible that my ears are not deceiving me P But yet you loved him so well ———” * Ah—too well! too well!” murmured the qua- droon : and now covering her face with her hands, she subbed deeply. “ Yes—it was because I did love him too well——-Oh! I cannot recapitulate !” she interrupted herself, with a sudden and pas- sionate vehemence- ‘You can well beiieve that all this has not arisen through any infidelity or wanton wickedness on my part!” “But console yourself, my dear Emily! console yourself!” said Dalham. “All is perhaps not so bad as you think. Let me and Winifred become mediators betwixt Gustavus and yourself! Rest assured that we shall be enabled to bring about a reconciliation! Gustavus knows how much you love him-——” “But he says that my love has become a tyranny—that its exigencies constitute a monstrous despotism———”” . “ Ah, tis a fault on the right side!” interjected the Baronet; “and henceforth there must be mu- tual concessions. Do not despair, Emily!” — “ A thousand, thousand thanks, dear Roderick,” interrupted the quadroon, “for this kind language which flows from your lips; but I dare not buoy Pekntt enee eee Fn im) Comiclooo S CO