Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 257: what you’re looking at

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

206 At this moment the guest who had previously been awaited was announced; and Mr. Timperley said, “‘ Well, gentlemen, there is nothing to de- tain us—the party is complete—and I think we may set off.” As he alowly looked around, he met the keen eyes of Mr. Devon which were riveted upon him; and a certain sensation of uneasiness crept shudderingly over Mr. Timperley. Not that any definite cause of fear suggested itself, beyond the notion that probably the will was to be disputed : but for this Mr. Timperley in reality cared very little, as he knew that it was perfectly valid, and that the disinheritance of Sir Roderick by his father was a deed which, considering the circum- stance of his marriage so entirely against wis siro’s wishes, would be sanctioned by the law-courts. Nevertheless though entertaining so strong a con- viction on this point, Mr. Timperley could not help quailing beneath the searching regards of Mr. Devon—for the simple reason perhaps that con- science, when making men cowards, fills their minds with vague fears and unknown terrors ;— and of a surety the conscience of Mr. Timperley was not the purest nor clearest in the world ! The coffin was conveyed down to the hearso; and Sir Roderick Dalbam undisputedly took his position as chief mourner. Indeed, Mr. Timperley not merely resigned the post with an appearance of the most delicate readiness; but he likewise took such a modest piace in the procession as it issued from the house, that it led him to occupy a seat in tho third mourning coach. Indeed, he had carefully studied to avoid being in the same vehicle with Sir Roderick Dalham: but he now found himeelf precisely opposite to Mr. Devon, whose keen looks appeared tu be fixed more scrutinizingly than ever on the countenance of the quailing Jawyor. Mr. Timperley plucked up his courage as the procession moved away; and he tried to browbeat Mr. Devon with his regarde,— riveting hie gaze ficroely upon him, as much as tu say, “Why do you stare at me, sir?” Mr. Devon’s eyes did not however wink; but they slowly withdvew their looks, the wholo dewesnour of the individual being perfoctly calm and self- possessed. “A very melancholy occasion this, Mr. Devon !” said Timperley, now adupting a conciliatury bear- ing. “ Melancholy fur whow, sir?” asked the in- dividual thus addressed. “ For Sir Roderick Dal- hemP If this be your mouning, it is a melan- choly occasion :” — and he spoke with a calm severity of voice. “Ob, of course! of course!’ said Mr. “Linper- ley, fidgetting nervously with his black gloves, whicb be had not as yet put un: then again pluck- ing up his presence of mind, be said, “ You knew the lato Sir John, I preaume ?” “7 have seen him, sir,” was the curt response. “Only Twas thinkine,” proceeded Timperley, “that L never bad experienced the pleasure of weeting you before nt the villa.” “Perhaps not, sir,” satd Mr. Devon; and then he stared fixedly at the lawyer for a few momonts; but egain withdrawing his luvks as if there had really been nothing sizguificunt in the survey, he turned thom in a leisurely way towards the win- dow, ‘ AGNES 3 OK, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE, “ You are a friend of Sir Roderick’s, I preaume P” said, Timperley after a pause. . “Jf I did not know Sir Roderick,” rejoined Mr. Dalham, “I should scarcely bo here on the present occasion.” “ffem!” said Mr. Timperley, now nervously drawing off one of those gloves which be had just put on. “A lawyer, I presume, sir?” “What makes you think sv, sir?” asked Mr. Devon. “Come, sir,” said Timperley, bending still far- ther forward and speaking in a still iower tone so as not to be overheard by the other mourners pre- sent in the coach; “there ought to be profes- sional confidence between us. If there is to be any legal squabbling, let it bé conducted in a straightforward manner. You know where to find me: I shall not run away . ‘*T don’t suppose you will, sir,” answered Devon; ( and aguin his keon eyes flung forth a glance of mystorious siguificancy at the lawyer, who quailed and shrank in spite of himeelf. “ But you are mistuken, Mr. Timperley : 1 do not belong to the same profession as you do.’”” Having thus spoken. lr. Devon again looked out of thew: tow. with the air vf one who did eSiong a discourae in which he was ‘ object of a disagreeable catechising. Mr. Timperldy—half under tho influence of a vague terror, and half enraged at the person who would not satisfy his curiosity—cuuld scarcely prevent bhim- self from asking, “Then pray who the deuce are you, sir ’”-——but he bit bis lip and held his peace. The placo of sepulture was soon reached ; and during the ceremony it twico or thrice struck Mr. Timperley that as he furtively looked towards Mr. Devun, that individual's cyes were riveted keenly upon him, so that it actually seemed to the af- frighted and bewildered utturney as if those eyes were never hifted off him. At length the coremony was over; the mourners returned to the coaches“and tho way was taken back to tho villa. This time Mr. Timperley purposely avoided being in the game vehicle with Mr. Devon ; and when no Jonger under the influence of that porson’s keen searching eyes, he said to bimeself, * Aftor all, it was vory tuvlish on my part to be intimidated ur apnuyed by thy fuilaw! He oan do rac no harm ; aud as he says be is nut & lawyer, there is nut oven any objection that be cun raise to the will. [Le is doubtless ouly a witness whom Sir Roderick has brought with hin.” The villa was reached; aud as Sir Roderick alighted from tho first coach which drow up, he exchanged a rapid glance of signilicancy wiih the valet Jawos Nasi, who slightly nodded hia hoad in token of an affirmative, The company of mourners ascended to the drawing-roow, where cake and wine were served up, according tu custom, on such occasioug; as if the saddest coremunies must neces: sarily be imbued with more or less ur the spirit of merry-makiug from the guzzling and wine-bibbing habits of the higher orders ! A few of the guests pittook of a little refrosh- ment; but it may be observed that muither Mr, Timperloy, nor Sus Roderick Dalham, nor Mr. Dovon, advanced towa*da the sideboard. Perhaps they ench thought that i¢ was necessary to keep their heads clear for whatsvever business might be on hand, though whether Mr. Duvun himself had nn CO DOOkKS G CO