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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1840 Excerpt:... 280 CHAPTER XVI. When Agnes returned to Somerton, her first inquiry was whether Colonel Marsden was in the house. To her great joy the answer was in the negative, and she directly proceeded to Lady Rosendale's room, but not with the intention of relating to her the accidental circumstance which had excited so strong a suspicion in her mind. She felt that, until more had been ascertained, it would be cruelty to disturb even the comparative state of tranquillity into which Emily's feelings had gradually subsided; but she wished very much to have some conversation with her, for the purpose of trying whether she was really in any way interested for her cousin Frederick, beyond that which their long habits of intimacy would naturally have produced. Emily had of late seemed more depressed than ever. A listless indifference to every thing appeared to have taken the place of her former joyous spirits;--she rarely smiled; and her face, though still beautiful, no longer wore that Hebe expression which gave it such a charm. The large deep blue eye had lost much of its lustre, and Agnes had often thought that it looked as if tears had been hastily wiped from it when she had come suddenly into the room. It was with heartfelt grief that Agnes gazed upon these symptoms of secret sorrow, but she forbore remark or condolence, from the fear of reviving a recollection which Emily so heroically struggled to repress. When Agnes entered the drawing-room on the day in question, she found it deserted, which surprized her, for it was an hour when Lady Rosendale generally sat there. But, passing on to her own room, she was startled at perceiving Emily, pale and agitated, standing with clasped hands, as if impatiently waiting for her return. "Agnes! how glad I am you are come back!"...