Agnes Vol. 2 — page 233: what you’re looking at

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

226 will cling to him—TI will hang to his coat-tails— I will never separate from bim—but he shall go to Jamaica with me !”’ Such was the plan which the quadroon had settled in her raind; and the better to carry it gut she had resolved to leave the hotel and go ipte 4 private lodging, where she would be morg the mistress of her acticns. It was likewise that ghe should be less constrained that she had deatred Jobo to be sent to his master, for fear leat the domestic should act as a spy upon her. De Vere had assented to all these arrangements; and thys everything seomed to be progressing according to the quadroon’s wishes. In an hour Charies roturned to her at the hotel. “I have engaged suitable apartmonts for your accommodation,” he said; @ byt I thought it would seem discourteous and@ neglectful if I simply sent you the address and eaffered you to proceed thither alone. IJ have therefore come to be your cscort, if vou will permit me.” ‘IT presume that you have seen my husband,” said Kmily: “and that ho bas requested you to show this attention towards me?” “Yes,” answered Charles frankly: “I have seen Mr. Barrington since I parted from you. He implores that you will listen to §he dictates of your reason aad your own good seped, and that if you sincercly love him you will gonsider what is now best for the re-establishment of your mutual happiness,” “And you are atill ignorant cf bis placo of abode #* asked the quadroon. “Ona my honour go 4 gontlomnan I am ignorant of it!” rejoined our hero. “I eaid to him, ‘Do not tell me, Mr, Harrington; because if your wife were to ask mo, { shoyld not like to reply in a cold disgourteous negative to tho question. I would much svoner be placed in @ position of utter inability to answer it.’—It waa thus that I spoke.” “But you have arranged where to mee$ him ?” said the quadroon inquiringly, «No such arrangement is as yet made,” rephed Charles: “but to-morrow I shall receive a note telling me where I may find him at a particular hour. I havo now dealt frankly with you, Mrs. Barrington.” You have,” she responded; “and I have no more questions to ask.” A. hackney vehicle being obtained, Charles gavo his hand to the quadroon to assist her to take her ecat in it: ha placed himself by her side, and she instructed the driver whither he was to proceed. “And what about John?” inquired Emily, os the equipage was rolling away frum tho hotel and she suddenly remembered that she had seen nothing of him at the mumont of taking her de- parture. ‘I had already given him instructions according to your wishes,” replied Charles: “he is now en- gaged in packing up bis master’s effects, and will wait for whatever ordors may be presontly trans- mitted to him.” In a few minutes the hackney-coach stopped in front of a ueat respectable-luoking little buuse, situated in a strect which if not in tho moat fashionable quarter, was at all events in o very decent neigtibourhoud; aud Da Vere said, “ 16 is AGHES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. ‘in this habitation, Mrs. Barrington, that I have procured you snartments,” There was no carriage-gateway to the house; and the front door now opening, a shor middle- aged man, wearing gpectacies, made his uppear- avce. Our yeaderg have doubtless already con- joctured that this was Bignor Petroro: he was accompanied by bis sister, a respectable-looking woman of about thirty years of age, and followed by his daughter, whom we previously noticed as a neatly-dressed gir] of fifteen or sixteen. The quadroon liked the appearence of these people; and when she was ushered up into the apartmenta that had been engaged for her, sho at once ex- pressed her satisfaction at their comfortable and cleanly aspect. “Ta there anything more that I can do for you at present P” inquired our hero, whose demeanour ws most kind, moat courteous, and most friendly fowerds the quadrvon, “Nothing,” sho responded. ‘ When shall I seo you egain, Mr. De Vere ?” “You required four-and-twenty hours to reflect upon your husband’s propositions,” he replied ; “and therefore I shall do myself the pleasure of - valling to-morrow morning at about this time to recolvg4 our decision.” * Be it eo, Mr, De Vere,” rejoined Emily. “I shall expect you.” Charlee then took his leave of the quadroon ; and as he Geacended theo stairs he moet Petroro’s sistar,—to whom ho said in a low whisper, and with a signifieané look, “Remember the instruc- fiona I have given you!” She returned that meaning glance, and cons tinued ber way to the apartments on the first fluor, to ascertain from Emily's maid whethor the young lady found everything according to her wishes, ‘ liours passed—the evening came—and as the dusk began to close in, the quadroon put on a bonnet with a thick veil: sho muflled herself up in furs and shawls, for the ‘weather was exccexively cold-—-and moreovor it was her object to discuise herself. Telling ber maid that she should not bo long absent, she descended the stairs and wes about to open the front door, when she bebeld Signora Petroro, her landlord’s sister, sitting in a pensive manner at a table ina little parluur the door of which stood open. On perceiving the new lodger, Signora Potroro rove from her chair, saluted ler respectfully, and hastened forward to open the street door. ‘Yuu do not seem well, my good woman ?” said the quadroon, in a compassionating tone. ‘| have a very bad headache,” replied Catrina; for such was her Christian name. “Then I should advise you to retire to rest,” gaid Emily. “TI shall follow your advice, Signora,” rejoined the woman. She then opened the front door for the quadroon to pass out: but scarcely had the latter’s feet crossed the threshold, when the Signora Petroro caught up a capacious cloak, in which she muffled herself; and issuing from the house, she was quickly upon the track of her new lodger. Although the dusk was closing in and a mist was rapidly filling the streets of Florence, yet Signora Petruro continued to keep the quadroon in view, and sho presently beheld her enter a gun. COMRnIEGlOO () ( SS COLUM