Agnes Vol. 2 — page 203: what you’re looking at

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

3968 AGNES; OR, BRAUTY AND PLEASURE. give him a cordial which would be found in the eupboard. The request was complied with; and in a few minutes Sir John Dalham began to rally. “Timperley,” he said, “how long bave you known thisP when did you learn that Roderick had secretly married that girl P”’ “T only learnt it thie afternoon,” repliod Tim- perlcy. “It was by mere accident ~JI would huwever rather not weution any more particu- lare——”’ “And why did you not tell me of it the instant you came into my presence?’ demanded the Baronet. “The truth ia, Sie Joba,” replied the attorney, “T came on purpose to communicate this intelli gence: but in the drat place you reccived me so covlly—then we got upon other subjects of such deep intereat-——~” “ Well, well—wo matter{” interjected the Baro- mot: “tho terrible tidinge have at length been communicated te met How long has Roderick been united to that young woman?” demanded Sir Jobn, after a pause. ‘I am unable to answer the question,” said Timperley. ‘The fact is, I called at a house just now, where accident led me to do that which your son Roderick himeolf did at that duur-—-—” “IT comprehend !” interjected Sir Juha, “ You listened tv what was going on P” “ Exectly av,” replied Timperley; “and I over- heard enough tv convince me that Mr. Dalham was wedded tu Winifred.” “And I have disowned him! I have discarded him!” sai‘ the Baronet, with a gloomy sternness. “I do not repent of what I have dono—but [ should blame myself if I had not done it. Good heavene! to think that the very thing which could most have embittered the conciuding years of my ufo, should have been accomplished! But be is no lunger my sun! Ah, he may write to me—he “ Anybody, except Roderick!” exclaimed the old man fiercely, “Proceed! draw up the will— let the business be concluded ere you leavo this room !” Mr. Timperley did not wait for any further bid- ding: he drew up the will, by virtue of which Sir John Dalbam bequeathed one-third of whatsvever property he might leavo behind him to certain charitable institutions which were named; and tho residue was devised unto his “faithful friend Thomas Timperley, solicitor of Lincoln’s Inn Fields.” The lawyer failed not to be struck with the idea that if ever this will were put in force, people would inevitably suspect that while he had been engaged as the legal adviser of Mr. Barring- ton he was treacherously playing into the hands of Sir John Dalbam; but this consideration was not so atrong as the temptation againes which it had to be weighed. So Mr. Timperley muttered to himeelf, “I shall get over that suspicion, some- how or another ;” and he went on with the dratt of the will. When the document was in readiness for sif- nature, a couple of tha domestics were summoned | ' -nd it was with a firm steady hand alham aflixed his name to the deed which Jlisinherited bis son. In the meanwhile Roderick had takon his departure fiom the house, —having packed up his personal offects, which he ordered a man-servant to carry to a cortain cottage |in Kentish Town, Need wo add this was the re- that. geocerelS sidence of his wife Winifred f Before concluding the present chapter, let us remind the reador thut at the same moment when old Mr. Barrington had forgiven his granddaughter Winifred, and was endeavouring tu make a will in her favour, Sir Joho Dalham had discarded his son and made a will utterly prejudicial to his interests. | We should also remark that whereas tho will which was of such importance to Winifred’s interests, re- way implure wy forgiveness—but J will never | mained unsigned, and tlivrefore of no more valuo reivut! never! never! My title I cannut prevent than a piece of waste paper,—that ofher will which from descending unto bim; but in any case it | disimberited ber husband Noderick, was duly sigued shall be saa ‘ampty one. Look you, Timperley! [ wilew-ake my will forthwith—you shall draw it nuw—~at this moment! If I gain the lawsuit I shall still be a rich man and have wealth tu dis- poses of. Ileavon bo thanked, there is no entuil in the estates! [ will leave everything away from Rudorick, But if I lose the lawsuit—well, even and attested ; so that while in tho former in- ‘stance the govud intent failed to be carried out, in the latter instance the evil alm was fully ae- complished ! I ie Oe Boel CHAPTHR XXXIV. ‘ ‘ in that case the little that there may bo to dispose | ot shall pass away trom him. Take your pen, Limporley ~——-there! sit down and write.” “ But to whom will you bequeath whatscever you way have to leave, Sir John?” inquired tho lawyer, “lf I remember right, I think I have heard you say that you have no relations upon parth that you know of except your sun.” “None,” answered the Baronet. ‘“ But I will leave everything to a hospital—to a obarity—to a public institution of some kind ur another In short, 1 wall do anything with my property souner ‘han leave a single farthing tu bim whom I have lisowned and discarded!” | Well,” eaid Mr. Timperley, “if that be really jour intention, Sir John—and as I think I com- wxehend your wishes so thoroughly and completely —yuu had better perhaps———It is only a sugges- lou, wiad!—but I was going to say that perhaps ‘wu bad botter leave me your oxecutor.” THH JURDGMENT AND ITs BESULTS. |On the third day after tho incidents which we have been recurding, the memorable lawsuit of “ Barrington versus Dalbam” was to bo brought to a conclusion. ‘here wero no longer any delays to be apprehendcd—no fresh arguments to be ad- duced—no new bills to be filed—no more affidavits to be put in. Judgment was actually on the point of being provounced! It was nut now to stand over {ur next Term; but it was veritably and posi- tively this present Torm that the business was to be ended! Tuc great case which had lasted ovor thirty years—which had consumed vast sume of money, and had afforded opportunity for the exer- cise of so much fraud, intrigue, and chicanery on the part of more than one lawyer,—this memorable case of “ Barrington versus Dalham,” we say, was about to be concluded ! COME OOO SS (CO