Agnes Vol. 2 — page 210: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. AHAPTER XNXV. THE FUNERAL, Bik RoprkicK DaLiwam returned to Mrs. Slater’s house in Aldersgate Street; and he fouud Winifred resigned and tranquil, as ho had left her. He communicated all that had occurred between himself and Timperley: and he said, “I am deter- mined to take legal advice in reference to that man’s proceedings.” “] do not exactly understand,” said Lady Dalham, “what it 18 that he bas dune, nor how he purposos tu realize a sum of money for himsclt.” “J will explain it, Wauifred, by means of an illustration. Suppose that my father owed his lawyers ten thuusand pounds, and Mr. Timperley wont and bought the debt tur two thousand ” “Ah, EL begin to comprehend !” ejaculated Wonifred. “ My father owed about twonty-fivo thousand puunds altogether,” resumed Sir Roderick ; ** aud the wreeks of his prgperty will produce preciscly that amount. Now, suppusuv that Mr. Timperley has given five thousand™w buy up tho debts, the estate is thereby rendered p ‘yar. Well then, out of the twenty-five thouse apr are about eight thousand tu po to the hcppitals and public institutions, and subout sixteen thousand remain to Mr. Timperloy. Deduct from this the five thousand he has paid in buying up the debts, 203 cancy. At all events you know, Sir Roderick, that if you begin to suspect a man in one thing, it, makes you attach importance to other matters that might previously have only been looked upon ‘as mere trifles.” : “'Truo, true, Nash!” gaid the Baronet. Mr. Timperley is a base designing mau—unprio- cipled and unscrupulous! There cannot be the slightest doubt of it! almost any wickedness! livwever, tell me what this is that has now struck you-——or, as you your- self express it, has crept into your recollection 2” The valet made a certain communication, which we need nut nuw describe, inasrouch as it will more properly belong to a future portion of our narra- tive. But Sir Roderick Dalham listened tuo it with the utmost attention; and when James Nash bad concluded, the Baronet reflected deeply for several minutes. At length ho shock his head slowly, saying, “It is curious! it is singular! But 16 18 alsu tuo Ssurious a subject for us to found any positive supposition or belief thereon, It may only have Leen a trifling coincidence, such as you yourself regarded it at the time, though now you aro lud to invest 16 with a greater signilicancy from the fact of your having obtained a deeper in- sight into the villany of Mr. Timpcrley’s character. At all events do not mention the matter elsewhere. There is a friend whom | cau consult and who will profier me the best advice. 1 shall not fail to see him to-morrow.” Tho faithful valet thon took his leave; and Sir and he is a clear gainer to the extent of cleven | Roderick Dalham, on rejoining Winifred, devised thousand ! good day's work for a legal man,” added Sir Rode- rick bitterly; ‘and at requires only one such piece of business every year to give bim a Jarge 1ucome.” At this moment Mrs. Slater entered the room, to suy that the persun who bad called a fow hours bach to feteh Sir) Roderich Dalbam, bed returned aud bosuught animmedjate mterview wath hin, “It isthe faithful valet James Nusi!’ cjacu- lated bir Roderick. have for me?’ dias Timperley become alfiighted 7 and has he sent loo peopose terme? Ef se, b will net aprec to them—-anless they go tu the oxtent of prying my deceased father’s creditor. to the very uttermost shillaoy that the property fie has left be- hind will allow! Jéut at all events I will eee what Nash wants with me.” sir Roderick descended to the ball where the valet was wating; and he motionet the man to fullow hing into Mrs. Slater’s little: parlour. “beg your pardon, Sir Rodecick,” saul Nach, “but 2 could nut rest until Eo came to speak to you. IT don’t at all hke the way in) which things aro being conducten by that fellow ‘Tien. perley. 1 have been thinking a preat deal over the matter; and ono reflection and anuther has brought something into my mind-~——”’ ‘Whatis it, James?” aske | Dalham. “ You are faithful and devoted to my intercsts—and rest assured that you shall not go unrownided.” “FT eare not for a reward, Sir Roderick: IT am nut thinking of it,” rejoined the valet. “ But I have taken a hatred to that fellow Tuoperley ; and there is something which has erept mto my recul- leSion thut { vever thought particulacl, of beture, but which now seewe to have a greater siguili- | | Such a sum, Winifred, constitutes a; sume pretest to account fur the man’s visit—for he thought it more prudent not to acquaint her, at least for the present, with the nature of the topte Which had beon started duri:np the interview. On the following day Lord Orusby-~for to this Nubleman must our attention nuw revert— pro- ceeded at about the hour of noon to Siduey Villa. He found Aenes and Cormna together in the boudoir, which alsu served as the furmer young lndy’s studia; and Gemaby, having allectionately “What fresh tidiwes can be! grovted his dsughter and his youny cousin, ex- claimed, “Ah new, my dear Agnes, 1 shall be enabled to pay yreater atfention to your beautatul arawiogd than Jo did the other day; for Ihave at present a teisure bour or twa. Everything that romrds you, my dear cuihi, possesoes the greatest nlerest fur me. You are a profictené in wator- colour drawing, But Ab! that easel? J kuew not that you practised re cl-eviours 2” “Our degr Gunna is ue enplshed in this latter reapeel,” wren Agneg; “end sho bas been giviny wt “Ob aw ded’ qned the Ttahan girl, © Do am abpamd thet Pam cnty un audiffercnt preeuptresa ; lor my unnd bas been too much agitated of late by uncertainties in reference*to what my dear father mvy be doray-—.” * And what Iidger Marcellin algo 2” interjected Orinsby with a coud-natured stile. is the subject of this oil painting which you are practising, Agnee, under the auspices of your cuusiu?” be asked, turning tuwards bis daughter. A melancholy shade came over the beautiful face of our heroine, as she said, “1 was attumpting, my dear father, to copy tho portrait of my poor nother.’ ° “A worthy and a suitable study, Agnes,” said cf But I believe him capeble of- “ But what GORGE OOO OY <S (©