Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 249: what you’re looking at

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198 to communicate Sir John’s death to the rest of the household.” “Yos, and to the son himeelf!” added the valet in an under-tone, which was however in: audible to the lawyer. Meanwhile Roderick Dalham had arrived at Mrs. Slater’s house in Aldersgate Street. Spring- ing from the cab, he knocked at the front door, which was instantaneously opened by the worthy landlady herself; for she had seen the arrival from the window of her little parlour. “Well, Mr. Dalham,” she ejaculated; “what newsP But Ah! I need not ask you!” “The decision is on the right side,” exclaimed Roderick, whose countenance was expressive of 2 magnanimous joy: “truth and justice have pre: vailed! But how is he?” and then an expression of the utmost suspense appeared upon his fea- tures, “Better, better !—improving rapidly!” cried Mrs. Slater. An ejaculation of joy burst from Roderick’s lips; and he sprang up the staircase to the cham. ber where his wifo, the devoted Winifred, sat by the bedside of her aged grandsire, who was eleep- ing. Tis won!” cried Dalham: and Winifred pre- cipitated herself into his arms. “Oh, my dear husband !” she murmured, “ how generous is your heart that you can rejoice on hts account ”-——-and she glanced towards tho old man —‘“‘at a result which impoverishes your own father !” “You forget, my dear Winifred,” he whispered, “that I am now discarded and disowned! But even if it were othorwiee, it would be all the same; for it is a matter of rejoicing that right and jus- tice have prevailed at lst !” “Hush! he sleeps!” eaid Winifred, again glancing towards the couch. “Tell me--tell me, dearest,” interjected Rode- rick, “ think you that when he awakes again it will be to consciousness ?” “Ob, I hope so!—and I think so!” rejoined Winifred. ‘He recognised me just now—he murmured a few words—but I could not exactly catch their meaning——” “ He is awakening now!” said Roderick. “Ob, if he should regain the full power of his intellects, what happiness to communicate to him these joyous tidings !” “Happiness indeed!” added Winifred, in a tone replete with a concentration of all the ten- derest emotions. The old man was now opening his eyes: his: granddaughter bent over him—a«a smile appeared upon bis countenance—and raising bis hand, he caressed her face, murmurjog feebly yet audibly, ‘Dear, dear Winnie!” Mr. Timperley had not deceived Sir John Dal- ham when be told him how he had heard on the preceding night that old Barrington was in astate of unconsciousness beyond all hope: but at an early hour in the morning tho old man had rallied somewhat; and during the last few hours his me- dical attendants had been enabled tu speak more cheerfully concerning him. Thia much the reader may have gathered from the remarke made by Mrs, Siater and also by Winifred. Aud now whet a thrill of joy shot through AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLHASURN. Winifred’s heart as her grandsire, on opening his eyes, recognised her, patted her on the cheeke, and spoke endearingly unto her! She sobbed and wept in the fulness of her emotions; and the old man said, “Don’t cry, Winnie—don’t cry! I have been very ill—have I not? It seems to me as if my mind had been a blank-———” “'Yos, you have been very ill, dear grandfather ; but now, if you will not excite yourself—if you will only let me nurse you—and if you will lie perfectly quiet, you will soon got well. Ab, dear grandfather! don’t you remember that the other evening you said you would receive Roderick ? And he is here !” ‘The other evening P” ejaculated the old man —for he was thus suddenly reminded that some time might have passed—though he knew not how long—during which his mind, as he expressed it, had remained a blank. <A gleam of intelligence shot vividly across his wan countenance ; and in a tone which derived its apparent strength from the powerful excitement which ,3t the instant soized upon him, be said, “The lawsuit, Winnie? the ‘udgmentP Itis to beypronounced this Term !” “It ¢ tip. 004, my dear sir!” said Roderick, iteppi ward and taking the old man’s hand. “Yes, iff is pronounced !—and you But pray be calm! I beseech you, be calm !—whilo I proffer ‘ou my sincerest congratulations ——” “ Hovugh, enough!” and Mr. Barrington sank back upon the pillow from which in his excitement io bad partially raised himself; then he pressed Roderick Dalham’s hand; and looking up in his countenance, he said with a sort of wonder, “ Did ~ hear rightly P or did my ears deceive me? You —you—a Dalham—congratulating me, a Barring- ton !” Oh! pray, my dear sir,” cried Roderick, acknowledge me as one of your family now! for my own father has discarded me !”” “ Discarded you?” ejaculated the old man. Why—what——” “‘ He has discarded me, sir,” rejoined J derick, because I loved your granddaughter, and because have espoused her!” “Is this so?—is this so?” asked Barrington. Your father has disowned you?” “ Yes—it is all too true!” murmured Winifred: but yow therefore, dear grandfather, must acknowledge him!” ‘I will—I will!” responded the old man, ina ‘oice that was quivering with emotions. The door now opened gently; and Lord Ormeby ooked into the chamber. He had been a regular visitor there since the memorable evoning when ibe old man was smitten with a sudden illness; ie had therefore made B»derick Dalham’s acquaint- ance; and he knew how he had been disuwned by his father. “Ah!” said the nobleman, at once perceiving that Mr. Barrington had completely regained his consciousness, and comprehending likewise that Roderick Dalham had been acknowledged and wel- comed by him; “affuirs are altogether taking a must prosperous turn! Yvur restoration to health, Mr. Barrington, will bring smiles to many a lip; and I suppose that 1 may now congratulets you A] “Yes,” said Winifred; “he knows that the lawsuit is ended !” INOO CO SS CO