Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 239: what you’re looking at

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188 do your duty, although tardily, yet you may redt as- sured that it will bein the kindest and most friendly tones I shall henceforth have the pleasure of ad. dressing you. As for this good woman here, you cannot possibly bear any animosity against her.” “T am sure I have always done my duty to Mr. Barrington and hie granddaughter,” sobbed Mrs. Slater: “but even at the risk of giving offence to you, sir,” she continued, speaking more firmly, as she thus addressed herself to the old man, “I would take dear Winifred’s part.” “Yes, yes,” grumbled Mr. Barrington, “every one will take part against me! No doubt of it! no doubt of it !” “Come, my dear sir,’”’ said Lord Ormsby, who saw that the old man was now virtually conquered, “let us not have any more accusations or reerimi. nations. Here is your granddaughter come te. see ou.” “Well, well,” said the old man, “TI will see her if you like, J--—I—will forgive her as far as she is concerned ; and then, Mr. Hargrave, you shall not be able to accuso me of being heartless and ungrateful. But ¢he ofher—her husband—Rode- rick Dalbam I mean—do not ask me to see him -—or to forgive him—because—becauso it is impos- bible 2 “If you forgive Winifred, Mr. Barrington,” ro- sponded Ormsby, now speaking with renewed sternness, “you must do everything you possibly can to recompense her fur the period of anxioty which she has suffered under your displeasure. In a word, you must render ber happiness complete.” “No no! I will never forgive him! I will never receive him /” surieked forth the old man. “IT know who you mean and what you mean !” “ Mrs. Slater,” hastily whispered Lord Ormsby to the kind-hearted landlady, “be so good as to descend and tell Winifred that the reconciliation will presently be complete :”—but he spoke thege words in so low a tune that they remained in- audible to Mr. Barrington. Mrs. Slater left the room; and Ormsby, again turning to the old man, said, “Your own con- ecience tells you thut you have acted unkindly towards your grand-cbhild ; and therefore your atonement must nut be made by halves. At the same time that you give relief to her mind, you will be giving peace likewise to your own con- science. Iieceive her therefore at once—fold her in your arms—and bid hor tell her noble-hearted | husband that he may come to yuu to-morrow and receive your blessing likewiso |” “No, no!” exclaimed the old man with pas- Mionate vehemence. VDalham! For your sake Mr. Hargrave, I will pardon Winifred———~”” “For my sake, sir?’ interrupted Ormsby, with sternness alike of tone and manner; “thisis pre- posterous! Unless you act for the sake of reason and truth and justice, it will not be for that of one who is comparatively a stranger unto you! Once for all therefore, if you receive Winifred in the spirit of reconciliation, you must be prepared to welcome her huaband likewise,” “Never! never!” cried the old man with shrill shrieking petulance. ‘ Roderick Dalham shall Hever come Near me—shall never receive a penny of my money! I have made my will—and all the riches which in a few days I shall possess, will go “JT will not see Roterick . AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. to Gusetavus—every shilling! every farthing! He will be my sole heir!” “But this is monstrous!” exclaimed Ormsby, who had not been prepared for such an announce- ment. “Oh, let Gustavus take all the riches, provided that you, dearest grandsire, will bless my husband and myself !”—and thus speaking, Winifred came rushing forward and threw herseif at the old man’s feet. Mrs. Slater had misunderstood the instructions she had received from Lord Ormsby, and had fancied that he meant Winifred to come up as soon as possible. On reaching the door, poor Winifred’s ears had been assailed by those violently uttered refusals on the part of her grandsire to receive or recognise her husband: she had re- mained rooted to the spot with an almost over- whelming anguish—she had clung to the door- post for support—she groaned inwardly in the deep bitterness of her spirit; and then exercising a sud- den effort, she crossed the threshold, passed into tho room, and threw herself at her grandsire’s feet, ag we have described. And now the old man béneld the affectionate girl towards whom his conduct had been so harsh and unfeeling, but of whose tender love towards himself he neva could have entertained the slightest duubt,—he beheld her kneeling before him—her hands clasped—-ler bonnet falling back from above the light hair which was gathered up in modest bands by tho sido of the pale checks— the eyes, blue as heaven, upturned appealingly towards him—the rod lips apart—and the whole expression of her countenance indicating a degree of entrcaty which sprang from the most unselfish love and which had nothing worldly-minded in it. Old Barington was not naturally hard-hearted, but his prejudices wore so strong that they rode paramouny er those sensibilities which would otherwise have been lively and even tender. Nu— be was not naturally o stern man: indeed there were pvuints of bonevolente in his charactor; but his soul had been warped and his feelings blunted by long incarceration und by the sense of deep wrongs. Yet now that hoe beheld his grand- daughter at his feet, his heart bozan to melt; and the impression which all Or:msby’s proceedings had previously beon making upon him, was strength: med by the appearance of the afflicted young woman. * Well, well, I forgive you, Winnie,” he faltered forth; “I forgive you, wy dear girlk But—~ but-——-” “You forgive her without reaorvo !” said Ormsby, with a stern significanco. Every threat which the nobleman had levelled at him——every reproach aud denunciation to which Ormaby’s lips had given veut—returned with over- whelming forco to the memory of the old man; and flioging his arms about Winifred’s neck, he murmured, “Yes, my dear child—I forgive theo! Puor dear Winnie, 1 forgive thee !” And now a most ailecting scene took place ; for the old man, in this moment of renewed tender- ness towards his granddaughter, displayed all the weakness of a child: he whimpered and whined— he could not say enough to express his grief for his harsh conduct towards her. . ** My poor dear Winnie,” he said, “I have beex C© nniclo@elk