Agnes Vol. 2 — page 237: what you’re looking at

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

230 that Theodore Cliffurd was your lover—your para- mour . “You remember how you burst into the cham- ber with a brace of pistols in your hands?” cried Cicely. “Ah! but knowing he was the seducer of my sister,” rejomed Hector, “I was goaded to mad- ness by the thought that he fad seduced my wife also! Let that pass—and let us speak no more of it. Tam not jealous as an ordinary rule: or, at all events, I need not be if you are going to enter into an arrangement that we will allow each otber leave and license for mutually following our ca- prices ” “Enough! we understand each other!” ejacu- lated Cicely. “Goand seck Fioribel Lister. I know that is what you wish to do.” “It is. And you, on the other hand,” said Hector, “ may prepare your batteries of wiles and blandishments fur Charles De Vere. But recollect, Cicely, he has the credit of boing what is calléd a very good, steady, prudent young man. Not that 1 have any faith in a young man’s virtue——” “This is a point whieh wo will not discuss,” in- terjected Cicely. “Suffice it togay tbat Lam vain enough to kepe and believe that Charles De Vere is rot quite so much ef an anchorite or a saint ° “As to resist the blandishments of a good-look- log woman?” exclaimed Ifardreas, “ No! you are right, Cicely!) But Ab?! is there not ove con- sidoration which will have ifs weight with you. Charies De Vere is ouenged, as rumour says, to Agnes Evelyn—-aud Agnes is a greaé friend of yours ~——” “Ou, but friendship in such matters goes for nothing! Jenes will never hear of it. It is but ao prsung caprece; aud therefore when De Vere Shall have beoume the husband of Agnes, there will be no predensions uor clanos on my part to trouble hig mind or tu break ig upon their matermouisl happiness.” “Ah! did not Lloribel beg and ontreat you, Cicely,” inquired Lfardress, “that you would never wenlion to Agnes that sbe was identical with thaf Ciprina who, as the associate of the Marchioncas ¢i Miranv, had not improved her reputation P’ * Yeo—-Vloribel mado that request,” responded Cicely, “oud as a matter of course it shall be fal. filled.” “ Qne word more!” eried Weetor. “You and | need not suffer Josephine to know anythiug about the plens.at ttle compact into which we have both entered.” * Assuredly not!” answered Cicely. “ And now go and ascertain, if possible, which direction Flo- ribel took when she quitted tho Tuscan capital. You will have to bo minute in your inguiries— yes, and persevering too — inasmuch as 1t is NOW a fortnight since sho left ” * Believa pie, ‘icely,” interrupted Iardreas, | AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. mined upon appearing in her morning neyligée— the dress that was most undress, and affurded the greatest scope for all those little artful coquetries by which a woman appeals to the passions of one who she wishes to enslave. She looked at herself in the glass; and never had her beautiful com- plexion appeared more transparent. The morning wrapper that she wore not merely defined all hee contours, but might be readily made to afford a glimpse of the glowing charms as if by some acci- dental movement or gesturo on her part. Then, if she threw herself with a lounging air of self-aban- donment into a large arm-chair, she might readily display the well-rounded ankles and the Jong nar- row shapely feet upon the elegantly worked otto- man. As for the expression of Mer eyes, they became full of a sensuous lunguor as she thought of tho handsomo Charles De Vere. e It was easy for her to make Josephine Hardress comprehend that she wished to be alone presently with Mr. Doe Vere when he should be announced ;s for she alleged as an excuse that sho wished to speak seriously to him relative to Mrs. Barrington, who had departed so abruptly from the hotel in the furenoon of the preceding day. Josephine— though by no means inexpe:lenced, nor wanting In penetratjon—novertheless roadily gave hor sister- in-law credit fur sincerity in the matter; and sho therefore kept to hor own apartment. 1¢ was about two o’clock in the aftornoon when our hers reached the hotel in obedience to Cicely’s summous He inquired for Mrs, Lardrees, and was at once conducted up to the room where sho waited to receive him. He beheld hor lying back in the great arm-chair with her fect apon the otto. man--dressed tu the gauzy maglin desrabillée-— and with a certain javiuor in ber Jovk, which gave her the air as af ae had just awakened up frem some eoft voluptauns dream, Yet not for an in- stant did Charl s conceive that ail tars wees artfally studied and proveestive tuwards hinseli: ho fin. Gied that though ho hae boeu sent for, yet that his arrival at that moment was unexpeoted. Bowing with his customary politeness, he said, “I ru» ecived your note, Mrs, Uardress, and I hastened tu obsy the summons.” Withcut rising trum her seat, Cicely gavo him her hand; and for a moment it stravck Charles there was a slight pressuro—something more than wes usually associated with the grasp of mere ac- quaintances; but the mexb instant the idea vanished frou his brain, “Sit down, Mr. De Varo,” said Cicely, indicat- ing a chair that was near her own ; “ for 1 have several topics to talk to you about, That dusky- cowmplexiwned lady, Mrs. Barrington—what havo you done with her? She certainly behaved vory rudely to me alter ail the trouble | took——” * She was in haste to got away from the hotel.” replied Charles. “Tae truth is, Mrs. Hardress, she was ashamed of meeting you after such an ex- “that I shail leave nu stone unturned in order to | posure.”’ get upon the track of the fugitive !” “ Aud what was the quarrel all about ?” inquired Having thus spoken, Bector Hardress quitted | Cicely; “for the quadroon-lady entered into no the room; and Cicely sat down to pen a note to | explanations with me, aud of course I asked her Cuarles Da Vere. Wien she had despatched it, she reflegted upon the manner io which rhe should peemve bim—ibe toilet that she should wear —and hoe qethod in whiel she should open the batteries -f Ley churméd and wiles, At longtl ele deter. —* | for none, At all events, Mr. De Vere,” added Cicely, with a aly look, “ she seemed very anxious to have you sent for as soon as possible !” “Tt is a most unfortunate affair,” said Charles, With au air of yexation. ElODOO SS