Agnes Vol. 2 — page 116: what you’re looking at

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

AGNFS; OR, BEAUTY AND PLRASURE. vould not revive the impression that was at the moment made upon his wind, if any were left there at all. Vague and indistinct was his notion of that form—suomething clothed in white, with long dark hair! No more corception indeed had he now of it than if there were such tbings as ghosts and he had veritably seen one. He was almost inclined to fancy that he had been the sport of a vision alike horrible and fantastic,— when the conviction suddenly burst upon bis mind that he had assuredly heard the door close. “Now,” he said tu himself, “I can endure this no longer! I have studied my best—but it isim- possible to tolerate these horrors !” Hastening into the dressing-ruom, he slipped on some cluthing, and stole fourth from bis chamber with the determination of at least descending the stairs and ascertaining whether all was still in the lower part of the house. He was now on the landing; a, glimmering light stule through the window —but very feebly ; for there was a curtain to that window ;*and De Vere was compelled alinvst to grope bis way towards the staircase. Stealthily gliding footsteps, as if they were naked feet upon the stair-carpets, mot his ear: he stopped short ~the boards creaked beneathe his feet—and the next instant a pair of warm arms were thruwn arvund him—he was pressed to a glowing bosom —-and a soft and meluodivus voice said in a low eurnestly entreating tone, “Fur God’s sake come with mo !” it was the voice of the quadrvon. An ejacula- tion burst from our bero’s lips as he suddenly withdrew himeelf from that embrace; and then she said, “ Hush! hush! for beaven’s sake! It is an error—a mistake !” “But what dves all this mean ?” asked Clarlea, iu a determined tune. “ Sumo one has been to iny rounl ” : ‘Oh, sir, I beg you,to return thither quickly !” rospouded the lady, who was almost completely unseen in the obscurity. ‘ Nu harm is intended tu yourself! My God! I am distressed! But pray do not judge hastily! I swear to you that 1 mean nothing wrong!—neither docs be—tbat uufurtunste being! Retire, | implore you! I will tell you everything to-morrow °” There was an expression of the deepest sincerity in the quadrvon’s voice; and De Vero was con- vineed that she spoke the sentiments of her soul. “ Pardon me, madam !” he said , “ pardon me! —and forget that I have quitted my chamber !” The next moment he was in his room ; but this time be tovk the precaution to lock the door— aud now again he retired to his couch. That the ludy must have alluded to her husband—or else to sume other persun of whose presence in the house Charles was previously ignorant—be had now no doubt. Ile deeply regretted having issued from his room; but at the same time he felt that under all circumstances his conduct readily admitted of excuse. Everything was to be explained on the morrow, according to her promise; and with this idea bu contented himeelf, Indeed, after a little whiie he felt more contented and tranquillized, so far as he himself was cuncerned, thav be bad as done since he was an inmate of that cham- r. Sleep revisited him--and he slumbered on auinterruptedly till the morning. When ho awoke his watch told him it was nine yyy o’cluck, Ifo looked forth from the wtidows of his chamber and dressing-room: the sun was shining brightly—and its beams were reflected in the streams which irrigated the valley. le pro- ceeded to perform his toilot ; and he found, as be had anticipated, that the garments which had been left for his use in the dressing-room fitted him as exactly as if they had been originally made for him. He now descended from his chamber, and sought the apartment where he had supped on the pre- ceding evening. The tablo was spread with all the requisites for a most substantial breakfast ; and he bad not been there many moments, when the door opened and the quadroun lady made her appearance. A vivid blush rose to her cheeks, crimsoning through the transparent duskinoss uf ’ her complexion; and her looks were for a moment modestly flung downward as she greeted our hero kindly. Ile likewise felt embarrassed—and from the same cause,—both recollecting that embrace which had occurred in the darkness of the stair- case. “ I foar, sir,” said the quadroon, now suddenly looking up with the frankness of one who had - really intended no harm in that proceeding,—*“ I fear, sir, that you passed a night of alarms. I should have warned you befurehand, only I tbought and boped that certain medicines which I had procured for my unhappy husband, would have produced a sedative effect ——” “ Ab, madam!” ejaculated our hero, “ I perceive by your words that you doserve all my sympathy: and I beseech you not to breathe another syllable of explanation on so painful a topic !” The quadroon took De Vere's hand and pressed it for a moment with a friendly warmth ; whilo two tears, trickling from bor handsome eyes, traced their pearly pathways down her dusky checks, and dropped on that hand which she thus clasped. “Yes, air,” she resumed, in a tremulous vuice, “TI promised explanations—you have a right to demand them—and they shall be civen. I havo already alluded to my unfurtuneate husband. The truth is that Mr. Barrington 7 “ Barrington ?” echoed Charles, struck by the name; and then as certain recollections flashed in unto his mind, he exclaimed, “ Good beavens! is it possible ? You are Mrs. Barrington 7?” “Yes,” answered tho quadrvvon, in astonish- ment. “Do you know the name? Lut, Ah, perbaps for a certain reason it is familiar tu you bE) “Yes—1 know the name!” interrupted our hero. “Ob, bow singular is all thie! And your busband—ie not bis Christian name Gustavus ?” “The same,” rejoined the quadroon. ‘ But you, sir———” “My names is Charles Do Vere,” said vur hero. . “De Vere? Ob! were you not u witness at that memorable trial ” “ Yes—the trial of Winifred Barrington, the cousin of your husband..Gustavuy. Ah, the sin- gular combination of circumstances which slould have led me to encounter yuu !”’ “Singular indeed !” ejaculated the quadroon ; “and, Oh! I am rejoiced that it has deun 1 my power tu show the slightest attention or to render the least service to one who bas always been re- EORAICNO® S