Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 281: what you’re looking at

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230 that Theodoro Cliffurd was your lover—your para- mour ‘a ‘You remember how you burst into the cham- ber with a brace of pistols in your hands?” cried Cicely. “Ah! but knowing he was the seducer of my sister,” rejoined Hector, “I was goaded to mad- ness by the thought that he had seduced my wife also! Let that pass—and let us speak no more of at. Tam not jealous as an ordinary rule: or, at all events, I need not be if you are going to enter into an arrangement that we will allow each other leave and license for mutually following our ca- prices 7 “Enough! we understand each other !” ejacu- lated Cicely. “Goand seck Fioribel Lister. I know that is what you wish to do.” “Tt is, Aud you, on the other hand,” said Hector, ‘may prepare your batterics of wiles and blandishments fur Charles De Vere. But recollect, Cicely, he has the credit of boing what is calléd a very good, steady, prudent young man. Not that ZT have any faith in a young man’s virtue——” “This is a point which wo will not discuss,” in- terjocted Cierly. “Suffice it tosay that Lam vain enough to kepe and believe that Charles De Vere is rot quite so much ef an anchorite or a saint ” ‘Ag to resist the blandishments of a good-look- ing wowan?” exclaimed Lardreas, “No! you are right, Cicely!) But Ab! is there not oue con. sideration which will have ifs weight with you. Charies Do Vere is cueaged, as rumour says, tu Agnes Evelyn—-nud Agnes is a great tricnd of yours —-—”’ u, but friendship in such mutters goes for nothing! 3enes will vever hear of it. It is but & passing capree; ant therefore when De Vere shall have beeume the husband of Agnes, thero will be no predensions uor churos on wy part to trouble his mind or tu breuk iu upon their matrimouisl happiness.” “Ah! did not Moribel beg and ontreat you, Cicely,” inquired Lferdress, “that you would never wenlion to Agnes that sboe was identical with tha® Ciprina wio, as the associate of the Marchioncas ¢i Miranv, hed not improved her reputation P” “Yes—-Vloribel made that request,” responded Cicely, “aud as a matter of course it shall be ful. filled.” “ One word more!” cried Weetor. “You and I need not suffer Josephine to know anything about the plens.at httle compact into which we have both entered.” * Assuredly not!” answered Cicely. “ And now eo and ascertain, if possible, which direction Flo- ribel took when she quitted tho Tuscan capital. You will havo to be minute in your inguiriea— yes, and persevering too — inasmuch as it is now a fortnight since she left ” “Beleva me, Cicely,” interrupted lfardreas, | “that I shail leave nu stono unturned in order to | get upon the track of the fugitive !” Having thus spoken, Hector Lardress quitted | the room; and Cicely sat down to pen a note to Cuarles Da Vere. Wien she had despatched it, ghe reflected upon the manner io which rhe should ieeoive bim—~ibe toilet that she should wear —and hoe method in whieh she should open the batteries i Ler churme and wiles. At lougth sie deter. Rad AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. mined upon appearing in her morning neyligéde—~— the dress that was most undress, and affurded the greatest scope for all those little artful coquetries by which a woman appeals to the passions of one who she wishes to enslave. She locked at herself in the glass; and never had her beautiful com- plexion appeared more transparent. The morning wrapper that she wore not merely defined all hee contours, but might be readily mado to afford a glimpse of the glowing charms as if by some acci- dontal movement or gesturo on her part. Then, if she threw herself with a lounging air of self-aban~ donment into a large arm-chuir, sho might readily display the well-rounded ankles and the long nar- row shapely feet upon the elegantly worked otto- man. As for the expression of Mr eyes, they became full of a sensuous lunguor as she thought of tho handsomo Charlos De Vere. e It was easy for her to make Josephine Hardress comprehend that she wished to be alono presently with Mr, De Vere when he should bo announced ; for she alleged as an excuse that she wished to speak seriously to him relative to Mrs. Barrington, who had departed ao abruptly from the hotel in the forenoon of the preceding day. Josophine— though by no means inexperienced, nor wanting in penatratjou—novertheless roadily gave hor sister- in-jaw credit fur sincerity in the matter; and sho therefore kept to hor own apartment. [¢ was about two o’clock in the aftornoon when our here reached the hotel in obedieuco to Cicoly’s summous He inquired for Mrs, Hardrees, and was at once conducted up to the room where sho waited to receive him. He beheld hor lying back in the great arm-chuir with her fect upon the otto. man-—dressed tu the gauzy maalin deshabillée-— and with a certain javguor in ber lovk, which gave her the air as af ahe had just awakened up frem some soft vuoluptnavws dream, Yet not for an ine stant did Chark 8 conceive that ail this was artfally studied and proveestive tuwards hinseli: ho fan cied that though hoe hae boeu sent for, yet that his arrival at that moment was unexpreted. Boiwiug with his customary politeness, he said, “I rue ecived your note, Mrs, tiardress, and I hastened tu ob»y tho summons,” Without rising trum her seat, Cicely gavo him her hand; and for a moment it stravk Charles thoro was a sheht pressuro—something more than wes usually aszociated with the grasp of mere ac- quaintances; but the next instant the idea vanished frou lis brein. “Sit dawn, Mr. De Vore,” said Cicely, indicat- ing a chair that was near ber own; “ for I havo several topics to talk to you about. That dusky- cowplexiwnoed lady, Mrs. Barrington—what have you done with her? She certainly behaved vory rudely to me after ail the trouble 1 took——~” * She was in haste to got away from the hotel.” replied Charles. “Tae truth is, Mrs. Hardrees, she was ashamed of meeting you after such an ex- posure.” ; “ Aud what was the quarrel all about ?” inquired Cicely; “for the guadroon-lady entered into no explanatious with me, aud of course I asked her for none, At all events, Mr. De Vere,” added Cicely, wilh a sly look, “ ehe seemed very anxious to have you sent for as soon as possible !” “Tt is a most unfortunate affair,” said Charlos, With au air of vexation. CO elaoolk C@©