Agnes Vol. 2 — page 252: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. daughter upon a youth of illegitimate birth: Bu inssmuch ” “ Mra. De Vere,” interrupted the nobloman, “ I ain utterly devoid of such pride or such prejudico -—~aye, and incapable, too, of such monstrous in- justice! I tell you that your son is not worthy of all the eulogiums which you in your materna. fondness might naturally be inclined to pass upon him ; and it pains me to add that he assuredly is not worthy of espousing my daughter. I am grieved—Oh! I am grieved, because I had though so well of him, and I know that Agnes loves him —~ yes, fondly, dearly loves him ; and therefore the bluw for her will be terriblo toa degrea! And yot that blow must be inflicted. ‘There is no alter- native !” ‘‘ Bué the crimo—the crime which Cuarles has committed P” exclaimed Mrs. De Vero, in a perfec’ etate of mental agony. , “* Alas,” rejoined Ormsby, “ under the mask of friendship he *seduced the beautiful quadroon wife of his friend Gustavus Barringtouu—and she is living ag a mistress under his protection lt” Again did Mrs, Do Vere become as palo as death ; for the accusation was delivered with a iniogled sadness and solemnity which , gave_it all the force of truthfulness; and the unfortunate mather was shocked, confounded, almost annihilated by the intelligence. A Jetter which Charles had written to ber, explaining the reasons of hie cun. linued sojourn in I‘lorence, had happened to mis- varry : she had become alarmed on his account, when hearing of all the terrible things which had recurred in reference to Lucrezia di Mirano ; and i0 she had set off from Naples tu seek her son in ihe Tuscan capital. Now, therofore, on hearing ‘hat accusation from Lord Ormeby’a lips, sho was mitten with tho idea that her eon’s silence might rave been occasioned by that very guiltiness of sonduct wherewith he was now charged; and thus 1er strong maternal faith* in the rectitude of her oloved bov received an immenso sheck. “Again I declare, my dear madam,” said Lord Jrmaby, “that it grieves mo sorely to commu- licate unpleasant tidings in reference to your son: rut it is not my fault. I now leave you and ‘est assured that no one will rejoice more unfeign- diy than J, to hear that by your good advice you nay bare brought back your son into the path of ‘ectitude and prudence. YF aréwell, madam—and nay Charles yet be everything that you could vish him !” Lord Ormsby pressed Mrs. De Vere’s hand with riendly warmth; and then he hurried from the ipartment. ‘Traversing the ante-room, he reached he staircase, and descended into the court-yard of he hotel. ‘here he beheld Charles pacing to and ro with agitated steps; and the instant our hero aught sight of the nobleman, he flew towards Lm. “ Now, my lord,” he cried, “ what is your de- iston P Is it to revoke the sentence so sa- rero— ‘Your mother awaits you, young map,” an- werad Ormsby. “ Go to ber at once: she will tive you explanations.” Tyereupon Lord Ormsby hastily quitted the iotel, while Charles rushed up-stairs to his mother, | 3ut there was a terrible alarm in his heart, inas- ; 245 there was nauglit encouraging in the tone and look of the nobleman from whom he had just parted, ‘“‘ Mothor, tell me,” he cried, as ho rushed into her presence, ‘am I to learn the worst?” “ Yes—the worst,” responded Mre. De Vere, whose demeanour was half sad, half angry. “By your own folly and wickedness ” “ Oh, but this is too much !” oried Charles, half frantic. “ What! you likewiae accuse me? you, my mother P Oh, then there is at least ons tu whese senao of justice I will appeal!”—and ho rushed towards the door. “Stop, stop! I enmmand you, Charles!” ericd Mrs. Do Vore. “ Whithor are yuu going P to whom will you appeal ?” “To Agnes herself !"—and tho next instant Charles disappeared from the view of his mother, She flow after him: but tripping ovor a foot- stool, she full heavily—her forehoad camo in vio- lent concussion with the edge of a table~and sho was deprived of consciuusuess. Let us now return to Lord Ormsby—~who, on quitting the hotel, was pursuing his way towards his own quarters, when all of a sudden seme ono ejaculated, “Ab, Mr. Hargrave !’—and Gustavus Barrington bounded towarde him. © What! is i¢ possible?” exclaimed the young man: “woe meet in Florenco! What on earth are you doing here? It cannot be that in your kindness you have come to search after ma———” “‘ Not exactly—annd yot it is well that wo havo met,” responded Ormsby. “ Havo you received any particular intellivence relative to Mr. Pins nock P” “ Yes—-that he is ill.” “© Ho is dead,” rejoined Ormsby. ‘ Yes, dead ! and he has left all his fortune to—to—your wife.”’ © Doad P” said Gustavus: “ that kind-hearted, hospitable gentleman dead !’”—~and tho tears atarted from his eyes. “ But docs Emily know this P” “TI think that by this time sho does,” responded Ormsby; “for I took some measures to ensuro the conveyance of tho intelligence to her.” * Oh, [ must go and sce Charles De Vere at once !”’ cried Gustavus. “ Au event sv scrious—so important—-” “Charlos Do Vere?” ejaculated Lord Ormaby, n astonishment, “Do you mean that you see Charles De Vere?—is if possible that you can mect him under existing circumstances P” It was the turn of Gustavus Barrington to ago upon Lord Ormesby with surprise; and -he said, “ Why should I not meet Charles Do Vore ? He is one of the kindest friends I ever had ?” The nobleman started. | What could he think? dither that Gustavus was hoodwinked as to the ‘eal state of affairs ; or else that he was a willing accessory to his own dishunour, and that ho was iow hypocritically affecting to be ignorant thereof. However, that he might proceed cautiously and guardedly, the nobleman said, “ Porbaps you would oxplain the circumstances under which you are still tarrying at Tivrence, and why the very instant a serious piece of intelligence 1s com~- unicated to you, you think of rushing off to Mr. De Vere ?” “Ah, my dear Mr. Hargrave,” said Gustavus, auch as he could not conceal from himself that} “from you I can haye no secrets! You know all WOO COLMUC SS