Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 169: what you’re looking at

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

854 hind you, when I experienced a sensation like a remorse—I felt that I was doing wrong to suffer you, @ young inexperienced créature—the child too of such wayward impulses—to go forth into the world alone———” “And why did you not come after me, Gus- tavus P” inquired the quadroon, “Oh, because—because, Emily~—indeed, you ought to understand—or you must not be angry with mo if I explain-—~” ‘No, no! comprehend you! After stich a scene as that, Gustavus, you felt that you ought to proclaim everything to bé st an end between us, and that it would be # ¥efttable weakness on yeur part if you were to yield to any false notion of generosity under such circumstances! Have I not rightly interpreted your thutives and your fe- flections P” . “ Yos—to a certain extent—indeed I think wholly,” faltered Gustavus; for he was afraid that he was spproaching upon delicate ground. “ How- ever, thy dear Emily,” he immediately added, “ you will admit that the feelings with which I was in- spited on the occasion, were a proof of the linger- ing lo¢é that I entertained for you———” “ Yaa--Oh, yea!” she ejaculated: and then in a low+#ety low, and scarcely audible tone, she marmured, ‘The lingering love!” “Bat after all,” resumed Gustavus, having emptied his glass--an example which was followed by the quadroop,—“ it was better that things should have taken thé course which they have done. Now let me see? That dreadful day at Florence was thé S8ed of November, and this is the Sth of Deevember. 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 beefi developed! Pardon me for saying that some of your loftiest attributes lay dormant —unknown—ayé, even tinsuspected—until ciroum- stances thus suddenly brought them to light. But | It was the separation that what was the cdtse took place between us! And all this immense amount of good was effected by a separation of only twelve days!” “ And what inference would you proceed thence to draw, Gustavus?” asked the quadroon, atill pontemplating her husband earnestly with those magnificent eyes which even seemed to become more luminous as the conversation progressed, or with each additional drop of wine which passed ner lips. “The inference is unmistakable, my dear Emily,” answered Gustavus. “1f twelve days of 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! you showed your wisdom in agreeing to it! It will prove the partie Point of a new course of happiness for us t 2 “You reason upon it, Gustavus,” said the qua- | droon, “ with & species of philosophic coolness.” “To be sure, Emily !—because I know it is for bur mutual good.” , “ And how think you, dear Gustavus, the time will pass for you in my absence? Shall you be happy P” “Happy, Emily? Ob, yes !—because I shall be looking forward to the period of your return AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. 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 ug@n 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, “TI shall very frequently be with the Dalhams——-” “ Oh, very frequently, no doubt!” interjected the quadroon: and for a moment ao strange a fire seomed to flash from her eyes that Gustavus started: hut he immediately recovered his self- possession, feéling Sotivitieed that it wae mere fancy on his part. “To be sdro! I shall be alesost constantly with them,” hé contitived: “I shall mako them my only Gompanions, because I shall care but little for society until your return. And now that I know you love Winifred av you otight to do——” * “Love her? Ob, yéat certéinly ! No doubt I love het juéé as I ought to do !”—and now there was something in the quadroon’s looks which struck Gustavis a@ being so peculiar that a sue- picion afuse in his mind,—but a suspicion so vague, indefinite, and ficeting, that it almost in- stantaneously ceased to trouble him. ‘To be sure, Emily,” he went on to say, “ it is impossible to doubt the sincerity of the love—the sisterly leve I may even call it—which you expe- rience for Winifred after the munifieeht proaf you have given of it. And Ah! when I take the child in my armse—as I know I shall often do——” “Oh, I was sure you would! I was sure you would !”—and it wad with a dtrange efergy that the quadroon spoke. * Ah, I see that you love thé innocent little babe aé much as you do its mother,” proceeded Gus- tavus.—“ But do you not think the room is very warm, Emily?” he abruptly asked, “TI feel as if I had a flush upon thy countenancte—yes, and a boat throughout my entire franie. It is absolutely feverish! And get heaven knows I have not taken: # gtdat deal of wine!” “Ié is throagh sitting so close to the fire,” answered Emily. “The room however és hot: but then the December weather outside is very cold— and it would be impossible to have the window open; while as for the door, the servants keep passing along the passage.” “Well, I suppose I shall get cooler presently,” interrupted Gustavus. “ But you also, my dear Emily, are flushed. And Oh! if you only saw how bright your eyes are shining |” “Indeed P? —- and the quadroon, starting up from her seat, threw a look into the mirror ovor the mantel; and therein she caught the reficction of the vivid lightnings which were rendering hor large black orbs fearfully luminous. “T told you eo,” said young Barrington, as he also rose up from his seat. ‘ But by heaven ! it seems to mo 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 always become flushed with even three or four glasees of SS COL comicbnoo