Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 41: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES 5 “YT wish I had a portrait of my sister here,” said Hardress, as if in a musing tone; “I would show it to you. Picture to yourself a lady nearly twenty-two years of age—tall and well formed— with regular features — large blue eyes, whose general oxpression is that of soft penaiveness— lips of vivid red—teoth of pearl—and with such an air of swcetncss and innocence in her foatures that one would never fancy——I mean——” * Well, this is a beautiful portrait that you are drawing! The complexion ?” “Ts transparently fair: tho hair is auburn, and remarkably glossy. I should add that ber bust is superbly modelled.” “ Good heavens! what a singular idea has just struck mo!” ejaculated Hailes. “ But no! ié is ridiculous! it is preposterous! And yet-—-auburn hair—fine bustage twenty-two ” “What do you mean? what idea?” cried Hector quickly. “Nay—I never could tell you! Besides, it would be as insulting as it would be outrageous |” “Andrew,” said Huardress, impressively, “ if under peculiar circumstances. a beautiful) woman had surrendered herself to you—if ever einco that moment sho had cherished your image as that of the very man whom sbe could fondly love—if her heart be sincerely devoted to yqgu—and what is more, it she bear in her bosom a being that will some day require a father’s name—and you that fathor “ Yardross! is this possible P’ and Hailes sprang up to his feet with tho wildest amazement de- picted on his countenance. “It is possible!—it is the fact!” rejoined Hee- tor. “And now you know what I mean—you know how it is that my sister loves you! You have a duty to perform—you are a man of honour —and you will accomplish it!” tlailos was so confounded that he could make no answer. “ And what is more,” proceeded Hardress, “ you will be marrying into a good family ——” “One word !” interrupted Hailes. “ ow was it that your sister became your sccond on that terrible night ?” “Flow? Ob! sho and my wife were dressed to go to a masquerade—I think it was at my father’s house—but Cicely can tell you all about it—— And then, as the circumstances leading to the duel suddenly arose, and I stood in need of a second, and there was always something chivalrous and heroic as well as singularly romantic in Josephive’s character P Romantic indeed !” murmured Hailes, “ Now look you, Mr. Vlardress! Under other circum- stunces 1 should be proud and flattered by the prospect of such an alliance: but-—” “Do not use that word!” exclaimed Hector. “ You will marry Josephine. ‘You outraged her ! When I just now spoke as if she had abandoned herself unto you, it was an error on my part; for 1 know the whole truth———You used vio- lence-——” “Why, I looked upon her———though I do not wish to say anything offensive to you———I looked upon her-——~” “Take care!” ejaculated Hardreas. “ Your lips Lave ulready given utterance to language in re- erence to my sister which has made my blood boil OR, BHAULTY AND PLEASURE. 415 and tingle down to the very tips of my fingers! Sho has been dishonoured by you—you aro the’ father of the child which she bears in her bosom— and you shall marry her! I, her brothor, demand this satisfaction on her account!” Good God!” ejaculated Hailcs, “it seems to me like adream! I must consult my friends— I must speak to Bowman——” “You will speak to nobedy !” interjected Hard. ress fiercely, ‘You are not a child—you are the master of your own actions. Whether Tam my- self to be trifled with, you best can tell; for you witnessed the duel wherein Clifford fell! Again I ‘ayes that as the brother of that outraged young a Oy a But, my dear Iardress ——” sé Yos—you shall addross mo in familiar terms when you have sulemuly sworn by all your ii of salvation hereafter~by the preat.<od whom you worship—by all things sac: —that you will to-morrow wed my sister. Swear this, and then come with me to my abode, whero my wife will receive you with a cordial welcome, and Josephine with open arms.” “No: I cannot swear! Icannot go with you —ant least not now,” faltered FLailes. “Then by heaven,” yuciferated Hardress furi- ously, “you shall bitterly repent-—~” “Do not be angry! do not fly into a rage!” cried Andrew, temolne “You want everything done in such a hurry! you almost seem as if you meant to bully me into a certain proceeding !” “Bally? That word to me!” and Hector was at this instant moro than ever playing the part which he appeared to denounce with indignation. “You dare not call me a bully! Let us under. stand each othor:” and he produced a pair of pistols. “What !”—and Androw recoiled very palo from the appearenco of the weapons: “ you would not you would not——~”’ “J would shoot you through the head as I would a dog, if you refuse to behave honourably to my sister !” “No—it shall not be!” exclaimed a voice, as the door was burst open. “What! yor, sir, marry a murderess?”—-and it was Cesario who thus spoko in English, which was not merely very tolerable, but perfectly intelligible, “Oh! I repeat, mur- deress !” ho continued, advancing menacingly towards Hector, who sank duwn pale and aghast upon his seat. ‘Your sister fired the treacherous shot which stretched Cliffurd upon the field! And now depart at once—or Mr. Bowman shall know where he may lay his hand upon the shoulder of the young lady who played the part of Mr. Godol- phin !” Hardress looked as if he were annihilated : he gasped for breath—he eat the picture of minglod consternation and horror. “By heaven, I comprehend it now!” cried Tfailes, ag a light flashed in unto bis brain. “That third shot which struck me as boiog fired at the time! —- and then that surgeon whom I never saw, buf whom you tried to persuade me that I did see! Ob, Mr. Hardreas! how dread was tho crime which un that fatal nighé was perpotrated !” The young man pressed bis band to his brow, and staggered back to a seat. “ Hailes, Iailes!’”’ said Hector, accosting bim, COMmiclsoo nn S