Agnes Vol. 2 — page 190: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; O28, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. you at her abode — and I was resolved not to re. cognize you as my daughter until I should hav obtained the fullest certainty of your worthiness, And that was why I was in no hurry for a fow weeks to assert my claims formally to the Goveri ment; for 1 was resolved that if as the result o! the measures which I adopted to fathom your true character and pursuits, I should have found yuu unworthy, 1 would have sacrificed all earthly titles and riches rather than have rendered you the sharer of them. But, Oh! my dear Agnes, you are in every way worthy of all my most cevoted love as your parent; and [ am as proud as I am fond of you! But let us again speak of Winifred. You say that ber grandfather's conduct has been eruoel and barsh ?” “ Yes—atter all the sacrifices which she made on behalf of her aged relative,” replied Agnes. “It ia a very great secret, father-——but of couree I can tell it to you a very great secret indeed ! Tv no other living soul would I breathe it, unless with Winifred’a consent. But her name is no longer Barrington ” “Ah! then ‘she is married 2” ejaculated Ormaby. “ Yes —married, ang without her grandfather’s consent; aud her husband is the son of his most bitter enemy. Ina word, she is Mra. Dalham !” “ But surely the old man will not prove unre- lenting P” ° “Alas, I fear that he is very vindictive,” re- joined Agnes, “There was a terrible scone when Winifred announced this marriage to her grand- sire a day or two after his release from prison. rhe old man first gave vent to cries of rage and pxecration ; and then he fell down in a fit, the bloud gushing from his mouth; and for three days he never sp»ke. Winifred attended him as assiduously and unweariedly as if bis conduct had been of the kindest and rmost generous description towards her, and as if she had nothing to dread in bringing him back to life again, But when he regained his consciousness, it was only to over- wheleun her with reproaches aud to drive ber from nig presence. Since tlfat day his dvor has re- remained closed against her. Vainly has she en- Jeayoured to obtain admittance. Aud 1 must tell you, ny dear futher,” added Agnes, “ that [ my- clf called upon Mr. Barrington to intercede on ais granddaughter’s bebalf; for I was present at ‘he marriage coremony which took place last t bruary ——” “And did Mr, Barrington resisé even your en- reaties, Agnes 2’ asked Ormspy. “ Alas, sea! — and Whoifred is overwhelmed with gmef! She will shortly become a mother ” “And where does she live?” inquired Ormsby. “She vecupies a neat little residence in Kuntish Town,” answered Agnes, “ ler husband is with jer as much as possible - “What! does he not dwell with her alto- gether P” inquired Ormsby, in astonishment, “No; for Sie Jobo Dalbam suspects not his son Roderick’s marriago ; and all the concessivu which Winifred could possibly obtain from her prand- father, was that the secret should be kept. Rode. rick Dalham would not for the world that the marriage should come to bis sire’s ears!” “Ab! then, Sir Jobo Dalam is as much irri- ‘ated against Mr. Barrington us Mr, Barrington tau possibly be against the Baronet P” 183 “ Quite as much,” answered Agnes, “ It seems to be as deadly a rancour in respect to the hearts’ feelings as it has been a fierce struggle in the arena of the law-cuurts.” “And when is the great Chancery suit to be decided P” asked Lord Ormaby. “In a few days judgment will be pronounced,” replied Agnes. “ Mr. R»lerick Dilham feels aure that the sentence will be given against hie father; and as Sir John is in a very enfeebled state of health—indeed I believe confined to his bed Roderick dreads the effect which any sudden ex- citement, particularly if it be of an evil charactor, may have over him.” : “So that if the loss of the lawsujt,” observed Ormsby, “happen to be accompanied by the know- ledge that Roderick was secretly wedded to Wini- fred, the old Baronet would sink boneath Ah!” he suddenly ejaculated, “ who comes P” The pari6ur-duur opened; and Mr. Timperley made his appearance. “I beg you a thousand pardons, my lord,” said the lawyer, with a very obpequious bow. “I need not ask whether my young friend Agues is happy in having found a father P Or perhaps I ought to call her the Hun. Miss Evelyn 7 * Might I ask, Mr. Timperley,” interrupted Lord Ormsby, with a cold severity of look and tone, “ what brings you hither at this particular moment P” “ I have received letters from my nicce Cicely,” answored Mr. Timperley : “ thoy arrived by this morning's poust—but LI had nut fouad leisure to open them before I was honoured with your lerd- ship’s presence at noon, The packet contsaiued a letter for Miss Kvelyn; and as it happened that sume little business was bringing me up into this quarter of the world, I thought that I might just as well become the bearer of the letter and avail myself of the oppurtunity to pay my respects to Mies Evelyn.” “T am much obliged to you, Mr. Timperley,” sail Aynes: but her manner was reserved and dis- tant—for within the last hour or two she had beard more of the lawyer's real character thao she had ever kuown befure or cuuld puasibly have sus- pectad. ° “] think you will find,” said Mr. Timperley, as he banded the letter —and be did not choose to suffer it to appear that be perceived any dillvrence "an the manner of Agnes towards hinaslf,—" I think you will find that Cicely tells you she has ent you two or three beautiful apecimens of Tiatian iculpture, the arrival of which you may expect in jue course, She knows that you are attached to ihe fiue arts ” “Tam exceedingly obliged to Mra. [Lardreas,” said A-rnes, hor tone becoming évmpletely frien ily while she was thus alluding to Cicely, “ for throk- ing of me.” Thero was thon a brief pause, during which Mr. Timperley tidzetted about cluse by the door, with his hat in his hand ; for he had not been invited to * Mt down. “My daughter is very much obliged to you, Mr. mperley,” said Loed Ormsby, “ fur becoming the warer ot the letter: but we hopo you will DoW ‘XCuae us.” * Oh, certainly ! exclaimed the certains b? plawyor. “I can very well understaud that you ECOMRNICLOO SS (CO