Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 240: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. very, very orucl! I know it—I feel it now Yes, yes—I know I have! I cannot fancy how . could have sent you away from me! Goud God I must have been mad: for now that you are again restored to me I feel as if I could not live without you! But you will come back to me, Winnie? ‘You will come and live here again and you will be good and kind to your poor old grandfather, notwithstanding all his barshnes towards you P” “Ob, do not blame and reproach yourself,” she said, in a voice that was well-nigh choked with sobs. “You have not been harsh and unkind to- wards me! I no doubt deserved it all! But, Oh! these kind words you are now speaking——" “Come, dearest Winnie, take off your bonnet and shawl—sit déwno—and let me see you settled here again. We will pass a happy evening. There is Mr. Hargrave—you know him very well ———" *‘ How can I settle here, my dear grandfather,” murmured Winifred, “while my husband remains unforgiven ?” “ “No, no—he is not unforgiven!” ejaculated Ford Ormsby: and again he flung a look of stern significancy upon the old man. “ Your grand- father is prepared to do everything ho can to make you happy, Winifred.” e “Ob, is it really so?” murmured the young woman, os she wound her arma about the old man’s neck. “Tell me—tell me!—will you receive my husband? Ob, dogay yes, dear grandfather! He respects you~ he is a kind good husband to me 33 “ How can I refuse you anything, dear Winnie ?” —aud now the aid man again subbed and wept like a child. It was a cry of joy which burst forth from Winifred’s lips; and again and again she strained the white head of that old man to her busom. Then suddenly recollecting something, she glided towards Lord Ormsby; and taking his hand, she pressed it with fervour between both her own, say- ing in a voice full of heartfelt emotion, “ A thuu- sand, thousand thanks to you, Mr. Hargrave, for having been instrumental in bringing about this happy, happy reconciliation !” “And heaven knows, wy dear young fried,” roplied Ormsby, “ that it is now one of the déarest wishes of my heart to seo that you are completely happy. Mr. Barrington, permit me to shake you by the hand. You have just taken a step which I feel convinced you never can repret. May I hope therefore that you entertain no ill-will against me for whatsoever interferenco I have ventured to manifest in these delicate family affairs ?” ‘Say no more! say no more, Mr. Hargrave!” replied the old map, still whimpering and snivel- ling in a childish fashion. “It’s all over now— and dear Winnie is come back—and—and—lI will receive her husband—-to-morrow. Yes—I will stretoh out the hand—of—of—friendship—to kiv- derick Dalham.” ‘“‘ And you must do more than this too, my dear sir,” interjected Lord Ormsby. “1n restoring Winifred to her proper place in your heart, you must likewise restore her to the position which she ought to occupy as your heiress.” “Ob, no! no!—speak not of this, Mr. Har- grave!” cried Winifred. “I care nothing for the 189 riches which will shortly be in my grandfather's possession. I have his forgiveness—and that is sufficient for the present! When he departs hence, he will leave me his bleasing—and that will be sufficient for the future. Let Gustavus inherit the wealth !” “Excellent young woman that you are!” cried Ormeby; “so magnanimous! so unselfish! But this may not be. Gustavus has married the nieve of a rich planter, who will leave them all his wealth—_——” “No matter!” ejaculated Winifred. “I wish nothing altered in respect tov what my grandfather may have done.” “Permit me to enunciate my opinions on this point,” said Lord Ormsby: “for I do not think, Mra. Dalham, that you are altogother the most proper person to plead in the cause. I mean that there is auch a thing as an excesa of generosity, forbearance, and magnanimity; and this excess you are exhibiting. Remember, my young friend,” he added in a hasty whisper, as he abruptly drew Winifred aside, “it is necessary for your hus- band’s sake that you should beoome the heiress of those riches which are so soon to pass from the hands of fis father into those of your grand- sire!” “Ab, true!” were the words which now mur- muringly escaped from Winifred's lips, as she sud~ deuly recollected something which for a long time past had been absent from her memory ;—and this was the argument which Roderick Dalham had urged why she should bestow her hand upon him. “Heaven knows,” she thoughtfully ob- served in a whispering tone, “I am not selfish! I covet not riches for myself! But since you tell me that Gustavus will be wealthy—whereas on the other hand my husband Roderick will utterly lose all his own inheritance ” “ Leave the matter to moe, Winifred,” interjected Lord Ormsby: then approaching the old man, he wid, “You are prepared, Mr. Barrington, to do the ‘ull measure of juetive towards Winitrol—are you not? Gustavus will be very rich—richer perhaps han you yourself will presently become——” “Vell ne what you want done, Mr. Hargrave !” laid the old man. “ & am in your hands—I feel more comfortable sinv® Winifred was restored to me-———-” “Tam glad to hear euch language as this issue rom your lips, Mr. Barrington,” exclaimed Ormsby. “ You are now in the right mood to do the fullest act of justice towards Winifred. In ihort, it would be the most signal proof of your itectionate regard for your admirable grandchild, £ you were at once to make a will leaving her ihe heiress of all you at present have or may in ime possess.” * Yes, yes—I will leave everything to her,” said ‘he old man,—“ everything to her!” he emphati- pally repeated ; for it was evidently a surt of com- Dromise he was making with his feelings thus to nore Roderick Dalbam us much as possible. ‘Tuere, Winnie my dear! give me wy writing: esk! That’s a good child !”’—and he smilod benevolently upon her. “ There ! there!” he added, imoothing down her hair—for she had now thrown dF her bonnet and shaw! so that she might seem to be completely at home with him; “it really ‘voke as if you had never leit me and everything MICO CO SH CO