Agnes Vol. 2 — page 204: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURR. But where were the litigant parties on the occasion? Where were the two personages who for so many long years had been at such terrible warfare with each other? Sir John Dalham was chained by feebleness to his couch, at his villa near St. Juhn’s Wood; while Mr. Barrington lay strotched, in a state of serioue illness, in his chamber at Mra. Slater’s house in Alderszate Street. Thus neither of the individuals so deeply interested in the proceedings, was present in the court when judgment was pronounced. But Roderick Dalham was there; and amidst the crowd he discovered the sinister countenance of Mr. Timperley. . Tne judgment was delivered; and when the ceremony was concluded, Mr. Timperley, who had already made his way towards the door, rushed out of the tribunal, spraug into a cab, and ordered the driver to take him to Sir John Dalham’s villa near St. John’s Wood. Almost immediately afterwards Roderick Dalham made his own way through the crowded auditory; and likowise taking a oab, he ordered i¢ to proceed to Mra. Siater’s house in Aldersgate Street. ® Let us first follow Mr. Timperhg lawyer utrived in due time at Sir John —_ —____& villa ; aud tho instant he elighted at the door, Re orrane past the footman, rushed up the staircase, and sped tu tho Baronet’s chamber. Sir John, hearing those haaty fuotateps, knew that they were Timperley’s ; and hope became almost exultant within his breast ; for he mentally ejaculated, “Timperley would never come sv quick unless he had good news to impart !” The door opened ; and the lawyer mado his ap- pearance. “What news, Timperley? what news?” ex- claimed Sir John in a feverish tone of anxicty. *“‘ Alas, my dear sir!” began Timperley; “ it is as I feared . ° “ Pordition |’ howled the Baronet ; and then a perfect volley of horrible imprecations followed. “Lust, lust!—and I am lost with it!” were the words with which be wound up. “ For heaven's sake comwpose yourself, Sir John !”’ said Timperley, who thought fit to adopt a sooth- lu tone. “Why the deuce did you come rushing so quick ?” demanded the Buranet fiercely. ‘‘ You iuspired me with hope! Yuu made me think that atter all——” “I came 6o quickly, Sir John,’’ interjected the lawyer, “because you made me pledge myself, when I called last evening to see how you were getting on, that 1 would lose not a moment after the judgment was pronounced in relieving you of suspense. I kept my word—and I very much re- gret that there should have been evil intelli- gence ” Here the lawyer stopped short; for Sir John Daibam again burst forth into a tirade of the most terrible imprecations, He raved like a meniuc—the curses he heaped upon the head of vid Barrington were terrible—he tossed on his pillow—hbe rolled himself ubuout in the bed—the fuam came from his lips. 6‘ For beaven’s sake, Sir John, be tranquil !” cried Tiwperley, “you will do yourself a mis- chief! Be reasonable! Your adversary bas no very great advantage over you~” 197 “Ab! tell me,” said the Baronet, who now ap- peared suddenly to recollect something,—* tell me, my dear friend, how fares it with him? Has his health improved? Tell me the truth !—say no- thing falso in the hope of consoling me !” “‘T inquired last night in the ncighbourhood of Mrs. Slater’s house,” answered Timperley; “ and I can assure you, Bir Jobn, that the account I re- ceived was to the effect that Mr. Barrington con- tinued utterly unconscious of everything that was passing around him.” “ Oh, if I could only fancy that ho would never awaken from that unconsciousness to hear the tidings !’’-and the expression of the Baronet’s countenance was full of the most satanic malig- nity. THe will never recover,” interjected Timperley : “he will never awaken from this torpor in which he is plunged, and which 1s the precursor of the sleep of death !” “Are you sure, Timperley? are you sure?” asked the Baronet. ‘“ You aro not deceiving mo? Swear that you are not !” “ Most solemnly I swear,’ answered the law- er. / Heaven be thanked !”” was the impious ejacu- lation which now burst from Sir John’s lips. “ My mortal enemy will never know the value of the riches he has this day won! Ab! ‘tis almost as good as a victery for me!—yes, almost as good! But what is this that comes over me? Dimness of sight! — dizzinoss! Perdition!” — and the Baronet sank back upon the pillow. Timperley rang the bell, and then proceeded to raite the old man up in the couch. He was gasping for breath—his eyes were glazing—the lide wero drooping. “Ifo is dying !” mentally ejaculated tho lawyer. ‘Your master is very, very ill,” he said, thus ad- dressing himself to the valet who at this moment entered the room. “ Ilasten to the doctor! But, Ah! it is too late !”—and as be thus spoke Time perley suffered tho emaciated form which he had raised to a sitting posture, to sink gradually back upon the pillow. Tho death-rattle was in the old man’s throat: he gave a deep groan, and expired. ‘It muat have been the excitemont of suspense followed by a powerful reaction,” said Timperley to the valot after a brief silence. “Thon the lawsuit is lost, sir, I presume P” asked the domestic, “Yes. Sir Jobo was well-nigh boggared by the result,” responded Mr. Timperley; “so that per- bape after all it is a happy release—a very happy release—and his friends ought not to deplore it.” “TI suppose, sir,” said the valet, “ that Sir Node- rick—as we must now call bim—will come and take possession—because that will can scarcely be acted upon, begging your pardon, sir ” “ Sir Roderick will take possession of nothing,” rejoined the lawyer, with a look of siguificant sternness. “I am the master here—and overy- thing within theso walls belongs to me.” — The valet stared for a few momonts in blank astonishment at Mr. Timperley; and then with a bow he said, “I beg pardon, sir—I was not aware that things were really at such an ex- treme.” | “Come,” said the lawyer, “aud Ict us oaswe MICOOOKS (GO) (C@