Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 234: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. 183 you at her abode — and IJ was resolved not to re. cognize you as my daughter until I should hav obtained the fullest certainty of your worthiness, And that was why I was in no hurry for a fow weeks to assert my claims formally to the Goveru ment; for 1 was resolved that if as the result o the measures which I adopted to fathom your true character and pursuite, 1 should have found yuu unworthy, I would have sacrificed all earthly titles and riches rather than have rendered you the sharer of them. But, Oh! my dear Agnes, you are in every way worthy of all my most cevoted love as your parent; and [ am as proud as I am fond of you! But let us again speak of Winifred. You say that her grandfather's conduct has been cruel and barsh ?” “ Yes—after all the sacrifices which she made on behalf of her aged relative,” replied Agnes. “It isa vory great secret, father-— but of couree I can tell it to you @ very great secret indeed! Tv no other living soul would I breathe it, unless with Winifred’s consent. But her name is no longer Barrington » “ Ab! then'she is married ?” ejaculated Ormsby. “Yes —married, ang without her grandfather’s consent; and her husband jis the son of his most bitter enemy. In a word, she is Mra. Dalham !” “ But surely the old man will not prove unre- lenting P” ® “Alas, I fear that he is very vindictive,” re- joined Agnes, “There was a terrible scone when Winifred announced this marriage to ber grand- sire a duy or two after his release from prison. The old mau first gave vent to cries of rago and execration ; and then he fell down in a fit, the bloud gushing from his mouth; and for three days he never sp:ke. Winifred attended him as assiduously and unweariedly as if bis conduct had been of the kindest and most generous description towards her, and as if sho had nothing to dread in bringing him back to life again, But when he regained his consciousness, it was only to over- whelmn her with reproaches aud to drive ber from nis presence. Since thfat day his dvor has re- remained closed against her. Vainly has she en- deavoured to obtain admittance. And I must tell you, my dear futher,” added Agnes, “ that [ my- self called upon Mr. Barringtun to intercede on nis granddaughter’s behalf; for I was present at ‘he marriage coremony which took place last t bruary ———” “And did Mr. Barrington resisé even your en- ireatics, Agnes 2?” asked Ormspy. “ Alas, yes! — and Winifred is overwhelmed with gmef! She will shortly becorue a mother id “ And where does she live?” inquired Ormsby. ““ She occupies a neat little residence in Kentish Town,” answered Agnes. “ ler husband is with aer as much as possible ‘ “What! does he not dwell with her alto- gether P” inquired Ormsby, in astonishment, “No; for Sir John Dalham suspects not his son Roderick’s marriago ; and all the concessivu which Winifred could possibly obtain from her prand- father, was that the secret should be kept. Rode. rick Dalham would not for the world that the marriage should come to bis sire’s ears!” * Au! then, Sir Jobo Dalam is as much irri- “ Quite as much,” answered Agnes, “ It seems to be as deadly a rancour in respect to the hearts’ feelings as it has been a fierce struggle in the arena of the law-cuurts.” “ And when is the great Chancery suit to be decided P” asked Lord Ormsby. “In a few days julgment will be pronounced,” replied Agnes. “Mr. R>lerick Dilham feels aure that the sentence will be given against his father ; and as Sir John is in a very enfeebled state of health—indeed I believe confined to his bed Roderick dreads the effect which any sudden ex- citement, particularly if it be of an evil character, may have over him.” * So that if the loas of the lawsujt,” observed Ormsby, “happen to be accompanied by the know- ledge that Roderick was secretly wedied to Wini- fred, the old Baronet would sink boneath Ah{” he suddenly ejaculated, “ who comes ?” The parifur-dovr vpened; and Mr. Timperley made his appearavce. “TI beg you a thousand pardons, my lord,” snid the lawyer, with a very obsequious bow. “ I need not ask whether my young friend Agues is happy in having fuund a father? Or perhaps I ought to call her the Hon. Miss Evelyn * Might I ask, Mr. Timperley,” interrupted Lord Ormsby, with a cold severity of look and tone, “ what brings you hither at this particular moment ?” “ I have received letters from my nicce Cicely,” answored Mr. Timperley : “ thoy arrived by this morning's post—but IL had nut fouad leisure to open them before I was honoured with your lerd- ship’s presence at noon. ‘The packet contained a letter for Mias Kvelyn; and as it happoned that some little business was bringing me up into this quarter of the world, I thought that I might jast us well become the bearer of the letter and avail myself of the opportunity to pay my respects to Miss Evelyn.” “T am much obliged to you, Mr. Timperley,” gail Aynes: but her manner was reserved and dis- taut—for within the last hour or two she had beard more of the lawyer's real character than she had ever kuown before or could possibly have sus- pected, “1 think you will find,” said Mr. “Pimperley, as he banded the letter —and be did not choose to suffer it to appear that he perceived any dilferenco ‘nm the manner of Agnes towards hingilf,—" T ‘hink you will find that Cicely tells you she has lent you two or three beautiful apecimens of Tiatian sculpture, the arrival of which you may expect in jue course, She koows that you are attached to ihe fiue arts “Tam exceedingly obliged to Mra. [Lardress,” aid A-rnes, her tone becoming évmpletely frien ily while she was thus alluding tu Cicely, “ for thik- ing of mo.” Thero was then a brief pause, during which Mr. Timperley fidgetted about cluse by the door, with nis hat in his band ; for he had not been invited to ° it down. “ My daughter is very much obliged to you, Mr. mperley,” said Lord Ormsby, “ tur becowing the enrer of the letter: but we hops you will bow 'XCuae us.’ baled against Mr. Barrington as Mr, Barrington | “Oh, certainly! cartainiy$” exclaimed the tau pussibly be against the Buronet P” | Lawyer. “I can very well understaud tuat you comicbooe CO