Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 32: what you’re looking at

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

886 become reduced by those political vicissitudes which are so frequently changing the fortunes of individuals upon the Continent. In a few mioutes Hailes was conducted to a sitting-apartment, to which Hector Hurdreas fol- lowed him. The former ordered some temporary refreshment to stay his appetite until dinner, for which he also issued his instructions; and now while disposing of his luncheon, he resumed the discourse with Hardress. “What did you mean just now,” inquired Eis “when you said that there were several little matters in which you might be enabled to prompt me P” “Tre best course to adopt,” responded Hardress, “will be for you to leave the management of your case to my attorney, who can instruct the same coustel for both of us.” “I ehould not bave the slightest objection,” answered young Hailes, “ only you remember that at the time my uncle insisted on his own solicitor taking up the busincss so far as I was con- cerned.” “True !—but that was about putting in bail and that eort of thing,” interrupted Herdress. “ However, do as you tike-———Your solicitor can confer with mine-—end it will come to the same thing in the ead.” * By the bye,” exclaimed Mailes—and then be suddenly burst out into a merry laugh. ** 7 am glad to seo yon in a jovial ham‘ur, my dear friend,” said Hector. “ Might I be permitted to know what it was that tickled your Sancy just at the particular moment P” I wae thinking of a certain person,” replied Hailes, “ who played a part in the duel-besiness, but whem you will scarcely think of producing at the teil.” “‘Whomdo you mean Pf” asked Hector, smitten with a sudden unessipess. ‘Whom the deuce should I mean but your friend Mr. Godolphin? Ha! ha! ha!” and Andrew Hailes, throwing himsolf back i his chair, gave vent to another hearty outburst of laughter. ener * Hectox evfoured up to the very beir of his head, as he faltered out, “ What on earth do you mean? Why— why— what makes you indulge in this pleasantry P” “It was really excellent—it was almost too good,” rejoined Hailes, “to go and dress up a female in masculine apparel and make her play the part of your second in the duel! No wonder Mr. Godolphin was not forthcoming when the affair went before the magistrate! The joke was a fine one :’—and again Andrew Hailes laughed merrily. Hector thought he had better laugh likewise ; and he said, “Surely you don’t know——I mean you didn't suspect anything more——”’ “Tf you only knew the eequel!” oried Hailes. “The sequel? What dv you meanP The eequel was that youand I gave bail and went upon the Continent—though we journeyed in different Girections, and lost sight of each other until acci- dent threw us together just: now.” “Ah!” said Hailes; and his countenance as- sumed a sly expression for a moment. “There is something in-the background,” said Hardress,—* something whick perhaps I really do AGERS; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURES. not know—or that you fancy I may be ignorant of, though in reality i¢ may perhaps be quite the reverse.” “ I don’t think I ought to push the subject any further,” said Andrew, his looks becoming serious. “ Indeed it was thoughtless of me to say so much: but there was a whim in my head at the instant— the recollection of something was tickling my fancy——”’ . * At all events it could be nothing unpleasant,” interrupted Hector, “since it afforded you so mug merriment; and there can consequently reason why I should not be allowed to share i your mirth.” Hailes reflected for afew moments; and thon" said, “If you really wish mo to explain what passing in my mind, you must let me ask you ¢ question first.” “ Proceed,” said Hardress, who was experiencfl & most uneasy interest in the turn which the co versation had taken. “That girl whom you dressed up and palo upon me as Mr. Godulphin——Of course I kni. . very well she was a gay lady—perhaps your ouis- tress— perhaps a wench whom you picked up vut of tke atreet to serve your purpose for the moment ? Now was it ?” Hector wat almost apaddened with rage; and it was with the greatest difficulty he could r. strain himeelf from starting up from his seat and voaking & desperate attack upon his companion. But he saw that something important was coming —a mystery had presented itself which he was most anxious to probe to the bottom; and he therefore exercised a befitting contro! over bis feelings. “Well,” he said, “go on, Hailes—-form what conjecture you like concerning the matter.” * Ah! I see, then, that I was not fer astray when i estimated the fair one at such a low standard,,of morality—though ehe was certainly a very superior person for her position, The quostion I wished to ask is simply whether you ever see the young lady now, and whether she has aoy particelar claim upon you, or you have any special tenderness for her ?” “And if I said that I bad 2” asked Hector. “Well then, I should oluso my mouth and con- aider it my duty to abstain from uttering another syllable on the point.” “ But if on the other hand,” resumed ILardress, “T were to tell you that I care nothing about the girl—that all you bave conjectured is currect—snd that consequently it is by no means probable I should concern myself much on her behalf. In- deed, if I were to add that I have never seen her since that fatal evening, exactly three months back ” “Tf you were to tell mo all this,” said Hailes, “TI should think that it was the very statement which was most likely to be consistent with the truth.” “Take it as such,” said Hardrcss: and he af- fected to smile as if with a careless sart of levity. “‘And now proceed without hesitation to tell me what is uppermost in your mind.” “The adventures of that ovening, so far as I was concerned,” pursued Andrew, “ bad a termina- tion which wae ludicrous enough, though by no means disagreeable. You remember how we parted ?” comicbooaoe - <a