Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 38: what you’re looking at

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

802 AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AWD PLEASURE. “Then perhapé you will stay to dine with me ? e will take a atroll presently together, and re- turn to dinner at six. Will that suit you?” “J¢ will suit me excellently,” rejoined Hardreas, w= “all except the stroll; for in the first instance you must come with me to wy lawyer.” “And my lawyer ie anxious to see you!” ex- e'aimed Andrew. “TI had almost forgotten it.” “Then we will pay these two visits,” said Hardrees; “and we will return to dinner at six o'clock, as you propose.” The waiter was summoned, and Hailes gave him instructions to see that diuner was in readi- ness at the hour named: then to Cesario he said, “J am going to make a couple of calls with Mr. Hardress, and we shall dine together on my return at six o'clock.” Cegario made no reply, but walked sjowiy and even hesitafingl. out of the room; so that Hector, turning towards Hailes, said, “That is somewhat a singular youth of your’s!—he might be a trifle more respectful, methinks.” “Ah!” said Hailes, colouring fur an instant; and then he added with a careless air, “He is a well-meaning young fellow, and is very much attached to me.” The two young gentlemen entered a cab; and Hardreas said, “ We will proceed in the first in- stance to your solicitor’s;”—-for he was nervously anxious to see the issue of this part of the busi- nese. The requisite ivstructions were given to the cab- man; and in due time the vehicle stopped at a house in Bloomsbury Square. Mr. Bowman, the lawyer, was in his office; and thither Hailes and Hardrees were immediately conducted by one of the clerks. “1 am glad you have come, Mr. Hardress,” said Mr. Bowman. “This is an unpleasant business ; and it is requisite to be prepared for all contingen- cies. My client Mr. Hailes will excuse me for saying that he is ovly a mere boy—he is scarcely twenty years of age—a minor—and though not precisely under my guardianship, yet still more or lees under my care; for hie deceased uncle was an intimate friend of mine ? “Well, Mr. Bowman,” interjected Hardress, assuming the most affable demeanour, for in reality he did not altogether like the lawyer’s opening speech ; “I am excessively sorry that your client -—whom I am proud to call my friend—shoald have become involved in such a dilemma—-—” “This does not appear to have been yeur fault, Mr. Hardress,” said Bowman. “It was the de- ceased Mr. Clifford who dragged Andrew into the business. As a matter of course, you are now both equally interested in making your defence as clear as possible, and convincing the Jury that everything was fair and straightforward—that all the formalities were fulfillédd—that seconds and surgeon were in attendance——” “No doubt!” said Hector. “Are there any details, Mr. Bowman, in which I can assist you?” “In the first place,” inquired the lawyer, “ is there a chance of Mr. Godolphin coming for- ward 2” ; Hailes turned aside and coughed. Hector eoldured deeply for an instert; and then said, “T'm afraid there is no chance, Mr. Bowman.” “It would luok infinitely more etreightforward and honourable,” exclaimed the lawyer, “if all the parties concerned were to surrender to take their trial. Mr. Godolphin was your second, Mr. Hardress; and you ought to have done your best to produce him. I am really afraid that it will be thought there is something mystical about thie gentleman; for he bas never been heard of from the instant of the duel. A warrant was issued . for his apprehension, as he did not surrender to put in bail; and the police cannot discover the faintest clue to the individual. He is known at¢ none of the clubs—at mone of the West End hotels—aé none of the fashionable resorts——~”’ “He was a mere etranger upon town,” ejacu- lated Hardress ; while Hailes walked to the win- dow and pretended to look out in order to conceal his laughter. ‘Of courae, my dear sir, I do not wieh to pre- judice your case,” resumed Mr. Bowman, “ be- cause in so duing I should prejudice that of my own client Mr. Hailes, But really I cannot help thinking that it is unhandsome—it ie even mye- terious—it is strange on your part, Mr. Hardrese, that you do not take prompt measures to bring this Mr. Godolphin forward. You know that by 80 doing you would involve him in no real trouble; but on the contrary you would be rendering hima service—you would be getting him through the business at the same time as yourselves—and I can assure you that you would be wonderfully im- proving your own case. It is my duty to do all I can inthe matter to ensure the safety and honour- able acquittal of my young friend and client Andrew; and [ feel that it will be making sure doubly aure if Mr. Godolphin be brvuught for- ward.” “ My lawyer,” esid Hardress, “ thinks it quite unnecessary that Godolphin should be produced, if it better suits his purpose to remain away.” ‘ “Then your lawyer, Mr. Hardress,” responded Mr. Bowman, drily, “ must have given his opinion rather that it might assort with your own sugges- tions and wishes, than because he himself could possibly be convinced that the point is immaterial. In one word, oan Godolphin be produced? or can he not? Beso kind as to let me know for cer- tain, that I may act accordingly.” “T really do think, Mr. Bowman,” said Hailes, now putting on a most serious countenance, “ that from all my friend Herdress has told me, it is im- possible to produce Godolphin ; for he is upon the Continent.” “Very good,” said the lawyer: but there was a certain suspicious dryness in his manner: “ that is an answer—and I must take it. I will do the best I can for you, Andrew. Good afternoon, Mr. Hardress.”’ The two ysung gentlemen issued from the lawyer's office ; and when they were again seated in the cab, Hailes threw himself back and burst forth into the merriest peal of laughter. A diabolical expression of malignant rage, in- stantaneously followed by a smile of sardonic triumpb, appeared upon the countenauce of Hector Hardress: but theso evidences of inter- nal emotion passed unnoticed by Hailes, whose merriment was prolonged and even boisterous. “You will see that wy lawyer,” said Hardress, “ presently will tell a very different tale and prove to you that it is by no means neceseary for us to ual COmicboooks CO