Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 248: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE, But where were the litigant parties on the occasion? ‘Where were the two personages who for so many long years bad been at such terrible warfare with each other? Sir John Dalham was chained by feebleness to his couch, at his villa near St. Juhn’e Wood; while Mr. Barrington lay strotched, in a state of serioue illness, in his chamber ef Mrs Slater’s house in Alderszate Street. Thus neither of the individuals so deeply interested in the proceedings, was present in the court when judgment was pronounced. But Roderick Dalham was there; and amidst the crowd he discovered the sinister countenance of Mr. Timperley, . Tne judgment was delivered; and when the ceremony was concluded, Mr. Timperley, who had already made his way towards the door, rushed out of the tribunal, sprang into a cab, and ordered tho driver to take him to Sir John Dalham’s villa near St. John’s Wood. Almost immediately afterwards Roderick Dalham made his own way through the crowded auditory; and likewise taking a oab, he ordered it to proceed to Mra. Slater's house in Aldersgate Street. ® Let us first follow Mr. Timpert lawyer utrived in due time at Sir John — ____& villa ; and (he instant he elighted at the door, Karan past the footman, rushed up the staircase, and sped tu tho Baronet’s chamber. Sir John, hearing those baaty fuotsteps, knew that they were Timperley’s ; and hope became almost exultant within bis breast ; for he mentally ejaculated, “ Timperley would never como so quick unless he had good news to impart |” The door opened ; and the lawyer mado his ap- pearance, “What news, Timperley? what news?” ex- claimed Sir John in a feverish tone of anxioty. “Alas, my dear sir!” began Timperley; “ it is as I feared ” ; “ Pordition !’ howled the Baronet; and then a perfect volley of horrible imprecations followed. “Lost, lust!~-and I am lost with it!” were the words with which be wound up. “ For beaven’s sake compose yourself, Sir John !”’ said Timperley, who thought fit to adopt a sooth- lpy tone. ‘“Why tho deuce did you come rushing so quick ?” demanded the Buranet fiercely, ‘‘ You i spired me with hope! Yuu made me think that atter all————” “I came so quickly, Sir John,’* interjected the lawyer, “because you made me pledge myself, when I called last evening to ses how you were getting on, that I would lose not a moment after the judgment was pronounced in relieving you of suspense. I kept my word—and I very much re- gret that there should have been evil intelli- gence———” Here the lawyer stopped short; for Sir John Dalbam again burst forth into a tirade of the most terrible imprecations, He raved like a maniac—the curses ho heaped upon the head of vid Barrington were terrible—bhe tossed un his pillow—he rolled himeelf about in the bed—the fuam came from his lips. 6 For heaven’s sake, Sir John, be tranquil !” cried Timperley, “you will do yvurself a mis- chief! Be reasonable! Your adversary bas no very great advantage over you~———” 197 “Ab! tell me,” said the Baronet, who now ap- peared suddenly to recollect something,—“ tell me, my dear friend, how fares it with him? Has his health improved? Tell me the truth !—say no- thing falso in tho hope of consoling me !” “I inquired last night in the neighbourhood of Mrs. Slater’s house,” answered Timperley; “ and I oan assure you, Bir Jobn, that the account I re- ceived was to the effect that Mr. Barrington con- tinued utterly unconscious of everything that was passing around him.” “ Oh, if I could only fancy that ho would never awaken from that unconsciousness to hear the tidings !""—and the expression of the Barunet’s countenance was full of the most satanic malig- nity. THe will never recover,” interjected Timperley : “he will never awaken from this torpor in which he is plunged, and which is the precursor of the sleep of death !” “Are you sure, Timperley? are you sure?” asked the Baronet, “ You aro not deceiving mo? Swear that you are not!” “ Most solemnly I awear,” answered the law- er, ’ Heaven bo thanked !” was the impious ejacu- lation which now burst from Sir John’s lips. “ My mortal enemy will never know the value of the riches he has this day won! Ab! ’tis almost as good aa a victery for me!—yes, almost as good! But what is this that comes over me? Dimness of sight! — dizzinces} Perdition!” — and the Barone? sank back upon the pillow. Timperley rang the bell, and then proceeded to raise the old man up in the couch. He was gasping for breath—bis eyes were glazing—the lids wero drooping. “Ifo is dying!” mentally ejaculated the lawyer. ‘Your master is very, very ill,” he said, thus ad- dressing himself to the valet who at this moment entered the room. “ ILasten to the doctor! But, Ah! it is too late !”—and as bo thus spoke Tim. perley suffered tho emaciated form which he had raised to a sitting posture, to sink gradually back upon the pillow. Tho death-rattle was in tho old man’s throats he gave a deep groan, and expired. ‘It must have been the excitemont of suspense followed by a powerful reaction,” said Timperley to the valot after a brief silence. “Thon the lawsuit is lost, eir, I presume P” asked the domestic, “Yos. Sir Jobn was weil-nigh boggared by the result,” responded Mr. Timperley; “eo that per- haps after all it is a happy release—a very happy release—and his friends ought not to deplore it.” “ I suppose, sir,” said the valet, “ that Sir Rode- rick--as we must now call bim-will come and take possession—because that will can scarcely be acted upon, begging your pardon, air ” “ Sir Roderick will take possession of nothing,” rejoined the lawyer, with a look of siguificant sternness. “I am the master bere—and overy- thing within theso walls belongs to me.” — The valet stared for a few momonts in blank astonishment at Mr. Timperley; and then with a bow he said, “I beg pardon, sir—I was not aware that things wero really at such ao ex- treme.” “Cume,” said the Juwyer, “sud ct us baswo comiclboolks G CO