Agnes Vol. 2 — page 189: what you’re looking at

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

188 Ormsby ; “and from all I bave lenrué concerning | diite expenses. AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. Otherwise I should indeed be him, le isa chivalrous-minded, high-spirited, well- | poor: for the money which I had about te } when principled voung man. I long to make his ac-|I landed in Kogland, was not a very formidable qQuaintance.” “Oh, I am rejoiced to hear you speak thus, dear father!” exclaimed Agnea: “for 1 am sure that you will be well pleased with Charles De Vere. Would you like to see the letters that he has from ‘ime to time written to me? They are bere!” Agnes started up from her seat by her father’s lide; and hastening to open a writing-desk, she oroduced a packet of letters tied round with a niece of silk. With the most ingenuous frankness ihe advanced towards her sire, saying, “ Take them, lear father, and read them at your leisure. 1 cnow Charles will not be offended that i gave you | sum, I can assure you. I must tell you a coinci- dence, Agnes. Leverting for a moment to that period whereof we have been speaking—I mean nineteen years ago—there was at that time a fashionable gentleman abvut town, of the namo of Stafford, who courted my acquaintance go svon as he found that I claimed the titles and estates of Ormsby. Ah! I remember full well, it was he who introduced me to an aristocratic and exclusive club where first [ was welcomed as a brother- pecr by some of the proudest nobles of England! Well then, this Mr. Stafford now holde a high Government appvintment in one of the vory is lotters to read. But—but,” she added, while a | offices through which my claims muat pass. J mado nodest blush again overspread her countenance, ‘be sure to resture them to me, dear father !” “Adcirable girl!” exclaimed Lord Ormsby, olding her to his breast: “ what joy, what happi- \ess thus ta find so much innocence and virtue ia he child who is restored to me! No—not for vorids would [ read those letters, Agnes! 1 know hat you are incapable of permitting the addresses the correspondence of one who is unworthy of ‘ou; and therefore I am convinced there is not line in those letters on which the eye of purity teelf may not linger lovingly. But LI will tell ‘ou what I purpose to do, Agnes,” continued Lord Irmeby, while lis daughter replaced the letters in he writing-desk. “I intend to set off for Italy, nd make myself acquainted with Charles Da Tere. But that is not my only motive. It is vident, from what be has communicated to you oncerning Floribel, he either knows where she is o be found, or he may obtain some clue to the ae- lusion into which she bas retired. Erring though he be, 1 cannot forget that ehe is my niece—the aughter of my wife Honoria’s sister!—and it is av duty to do all [ can to reclaim her. Yes—she aust not be suffered to remain abroad io the rorll by horself, either an outcast in her own esti- nation, or else perhaps exposed to fresh tempta.- ion! No, no! this must not be! Your erring ousin Bball be restored to you ; and we will sustain er 10 whatsvever good resulutions she may have srmed, in the same way that we may likewise sinister to Ler mental tranquillity and bappi- eas |” The reader may easily comprehend how joyously reloome were these assurances to Agnes who ao otingly loved her cousin Floribel. For a mo- nent her spirits were damped by learning that he was about to be separated from the tather to vhom she was only just restored: but triumpbing ver this fecling, fur the momentary selfishness ot vhich she blamed herself, she expressed her varmest thanks for the intereat manifested by her ire on Fioribel’s behalf. “And when do you think of departing, dear | ather P”’ she inquired. “In a few days, Agnes,” he responded, ‘} pust not immediately tear myself away from you Jesides, there sre certain little forms and cere nonies which I have tu go through at some of the tovernment offices in asserting my claims. The business will be quickly settled: —of this there 1: 10 doubt ; and fortunately I have no difficulty in. rocuring the funds that 1 require fur my imme- myself known to him almust immeriately on my return to England: I threw myself upon his friendship—in confidence I told him everything. His conduct has been most noble: his purse Ras been open to me—and it is now through his ia- fluence that my business will be expedited toa prompt issue.” “Ob, how I rejvice, my dedr father,” exclaimed Agnes, “that you should have found so kind a friend !” “ And now tell me, Agnes,” said Lord Ormsby, “about Winitred Barrington. When I called upon her on my first arrival in England, I promised to return: but so many matters have since occu- pied my attention, that I have been uuable to fulfil my pledge. Aud perhaps there was another reason “Then you do not know, father,” said Agnes, “that Winifred’s cousin Gustavus came over from Jamaica?” “What! again?” ejaculated Ormaby. “Yes. -He must have followed closo upon you, dear father ; for if I remember rivht, it was the very next day after you called on Winifred tiat Gustavus presented himself; and then his wife appeared ” * “Ab! the quadroon Emily!’ criod Lord Ormsby. “She followed bim, you say?” * Yes, father; and there was a most unpleasant scene—and the quadroon took ber husband away with her. They have not since been heard of —— or at Jeast [ believe not. But I have not seen much of Winifred lately ” Agnes stopped short; and Lord Ormsby said, “T bave neglected that poor young wuman in not calling upon ber again according to promise. I happened, however, to see a paragraph in the newspaper to the effect that Mr. Barrington was liberated from the debtur’s prison in which he had so long languished; and I therefore suppose that hia affectionate granddaughter is residing with him P” “ Alas, no!” answered Agnes in & mournful tone. “The truth is, my dear father, that poor Wiuifred is very uohappy, and also very unfortunate. [ cannot help thinking that the conduct of her yrandfathor has been moat cruel and harsh towards er a? “Tam sorry to hear this, Agnes,” interjected Lord Ormsby. “I have felt interested in that young persup; and to tell you the reel truth, [ should have called upon her long ere this, only that I thought it probable I might encounter EORRIC OOO SS COLUM