Agnes Vol. 2 — page 227: what you’re looking at

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

gu “A death?” echoed Gustavus, trembling very much. ‘ Yea, signor,” puraued tho master of the esta- blishment; ‘‘for the letters indicate that there is mourning in your family———” “My grandfather!” exclaimed Gustavus; “ or else poor Winifred! But quick, quick! give me the letters!” “He clutched the missives which the landlord now proffered him; and instantancously recug- vising the handwriting of his cousin on tbe en- velope of une of the letters, he mentally ejacu- lated, “ Thank God! poor Winnie lives! Then it must be my grandfather!” Another moment, and the suspicion was con- firmed. Gustavus burst into tears; and the land- lord silently withdrew. But if in one sense the letters were afflicting, yet in other respects they were the messengers of good tidings; for they announced the result of the lawsuit they re- vealed the fact that Winifred was no degraded being, but an honourably wedded wife--and they likewise made Gustavus aware that he was the sole heir to the immenee wealth just recovered by the judgment of the Chancery Court. It was on ‘the Yth of Novomber that both old Mr. Barring- ton and Sir John Dalbam died; and it was now on the 15th that the intelligence of those events and their associated dircumstances reached Gua- tavus in Florence, Through what variations of feeling did he now pass! through what transitions of emotion was he burried! Lis grandsire was no more; but the lawsuit was won. Wivifred was a wifo-—~ but O atrange! the wife of a Dalbam! Yee, and her hueband had succeeded to the baronetcy ; and Winifred was Lady Dalbam! Gustavus had no prejudice against Roderick; and therefore he re- joiced unteignedly to find that his cousin was not dcpraded nor disgraced, but that fur many long months past she had been a lawfully wedded wife. And how too, Gustavue was rich; and ho instan- taneously Yormed the generous purpose of sharing his wealth with Whinitred; for her letter tuld him that her husband Sir Roderick bad been disin- berited by his own sire. There were three letters which the courier had brought. Ove was from Winifred, as we have already stated: the second was from Sir Roderick Dalbam to Gustavus, congratulating him upon the accessiun to bie grandfather's wealth, and with manly frankness expressing the hope that they would be good friends. The third letter was from Mr. Millard, the London agent of Mr. Pinnock in Jumuica, 16 cuntained the intelligence that by recently received advices from Kingston, Mr. Pin- pock’s health was rapidly breaking down, and that therefore Gustavus and Emily were enjcined to ret urb to the West Indice with the least possible olay. When he had perused the letters, Gustavus poured the contents of his wine-glasa down his throat ; und as be set it down on the table, be ejaculated with a apecies of fierce, savage joy, “ Gui be thanked, 1 am no longer dependent on ny wife !—no longer fussed to look for every shil- hog tu the purse of Emily's father! By heaven, she shall tyrannise over me no longer! If we are tu live together, I will be tho master and she ghuil be the slave!” AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. ee al Half under the influences of wine ai ho was, and half under that of the tidings he had veceived, it was no wonder if his mind sbould be excited in a particular direction. All the wrongs, real or imaginary, which he bad sustained at the hands of the quadroon, flamed up in his recollection ; while all the man,’ evidences of her strong and ardent affection sank completely into the back- ground. He longed for revenge—or at least to avai) himself of the opportunity to assert his com- plete independence. He traversed the ante-room: he entered tho bed-chamber. The lamp was burning upon the toilet-table. Emily was in bed; and the dark masses of her luxuriant hair floated over the snowy pillow. Half raising herself so as to sup- port her head with one arm, she bent a look of melting fondness upon her husband ; and then she gave a sudden start on perceiving how strange wag the oxpression of his countenance. For a tooment she was uncertain what means to adopt-— whether those of coercion or entreaty—whetber to have recourse to threats a to blandishments. But she quickly determipéd upon the latter ; and bend- ing he: luminous eyes with impassioned tendernoss upon him, she asked, “ What ails you, Gustavus? Ia the ‘dark mood returning ? If go, bolicve me ~—QOh, believe me ! it is mere fancy on your part! It is only a delusive imagination which conjures up the spectre tbat haunts you !” “Fear nothing on that score,” responded Gus- tavus curtly, “I am neither mad or drunk enough at the present moment to be frightened at spectres. If it had not been for you, I should never have become a svt—and therefure should never have been the made the sport of a wild fan- tastic delirium !” “ Gustavus—dear Gustavus,” cried the quadroon, “what mean these reproaches? Come to my army, dearest !— let me pillow your head upon my bosom |” Listen to me,” ho interrupted her. just received lettera from Iogland.” “ Letters ?” echood Emily. “And you havy already opened them? Youu did not wait until you were in my presence P” “ Come, come,” he sternly interjected, “ no more of your imperiousness! My eyes are vpened—if indecd they were ever completely shut; and at all events I am independent. Yuu shall no longor be enabled to let me know and feel that the source of wealth is on vour side. Iu one word, Emily, the suit is guined—my graud- father is dead—and J am his heir.” ‘Let mo condole with you, Gustavus, for the one thing, and rejuice with you for the other,” sail the quadroon, extending her arms towards him. “ What! will you not 00 tt why do you speak and lovk so angry Mwhy do you reproach mo? Just now you were all love and affection 7 v “ Because you ag tae me the slavo of your cejoleriea and your Wandishments ” exclaimod Gustavus. “ You wyuld nut let me talk ot Wini- fred then ” v “Winifred wgtin P” ejaculated the quadroun fiercely. “ Kven though your grandfatho: muy have left mie she is not the less a lust and “ T have polluted creatuye |” Silence, Uly—silence !” cried the enraged COMmca@Oo .S (CO