Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 262: what you’re looking at

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

motive may bave been in seeking my death, let me hope that your vengeance is now disarmed!” Silvio bent upon Charles De Vere a look in which astonishment and gratitude were for a mo- ment blended; and then, as his countenance sud- denly grew sombre again, he said in a voice of corresponding gloominess, “I scarcely thank you for your generosity perhaps it were better that I should have gone hence to the gaol and thence to the scaffold! But since you will that it should be otherwise, i must yield. Ginevra, do you ac- company me?” “ Signor,” said the Countess of Camerino, rising from her kneeling posture and thus addressing Charles De Vere, “ your conduct towards me has been altogether of the most magnanimous and generous description de “IT need not your ladyship’s thanks,” inter- rupted our hero: “but I must proffer you my own—for you saved wy life! Yet, Ah! when I bethink me, how came you to pen that billet ? “Ob, Signor! believe not for an instant,” ex- claimed Gineyra, “that 1 had a treacherous in- tent or that | sought to place your life in danger! No!—I take heaven to witness that I would sooner perish than harm a single hair of your head! O Silvio! how could you have done this?” She turned round towards the spot where the young Viscount had a moment before been stand- ing: but he was no longer there—he had suddoaly taken his departure. ** Ab, he is gone!” said the Countess: and then bursting into tears, she cried, “Oh, if you knew everything g * Alas! I do know everything,” exclaimed Charles; “ and it seems that the moment is come when I should inform you that I am thus well instructed. Yes, Countess of Camerino! I know how it is that the Viscount Silvio has obtained this influence over you——”’ * Ah! you know everything?”—and Ginevra seemed ready to sink down upon the earth with mingled shame and despair. ‘* Yes—you must know everything—or at least you must haye by this time suspected it! Oh, Signor! do you not hate and loathe me ?—do you not regret that you could ever have displayed the slightest sympathy on my behalf?” “There are but few circumstances of life,” an- swered Charles De Vere, “in which a person can regret having rendered a service to a fellow- creature. But the services I have rendered your ladyship assume an aspect most perilous to my- self; andif I am now tarrying in conversation with you here, it is in the hope of learning some- thing that may guide mo for the future—for at present it appears to meas if I were walking amidst pitfalls 4 “ Signor,” interrupted Ginevra, “I take heaven to witness that I myself understand not wherefore Viscount Silvio should have contemplated a hor- rible deed of assassination! But my brain is be- wildered—TI cannot collect my thoughts—all my ideas are in confusion—s can think of nothing un- less it be that my husband is in Naples 14 “ What! the Count of Camerino?” ejaculated Charles in astonishment, * Yes—the injured and outraged Count of Camerino!” rejoined Ginevra, in a deeply mourn. AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE, es ee ey ee et RR Aare, a ee Sh ? i ‘ , . : HK ful voice. m0 where—watching me in secret—for his suspicions have been aroused——~at least so Silvio told | me——” “ And the billet which you wrote me?” inguired © Charles. “ Silvio implored and entreated that I would procure him themeans of obtaining an interview with you—bhe said that you could saye us—that he must see you—that he would appeal to your generosity 4 “And he came armed with sword and dagger, and accompanied by a bravo, to kill me !” ‘Ab, my wretched uncle!” exclaimed Ginevra; “ him likewise will you pardon ?” , “Your uncle ?” said Charles inquiringly. *‘'Yes—with shame and sorrow do I admit that that man was my uncle, Signor Visso. He lives at that house beneath the portico of which you halted on that memorable night——.” “I recollect full well,” said our hero. tell me—for what reason could the Viscount seek roy life? and wherefore should your uncle saccour him in the iniquitous attempt P” “I swear to you Lknow not! his morning £ meé Silvio in the church: he told me his father— my husband—was in Naples: he said also thet wa were suspectod—that we stood upon a mine—and that you alone could savo us. Bewildered and half distracted, I hastened home and penned that billet which had the effect of bringing you hither this evening. It was not until the hour fixed for the appointment was drawing near, that I began to reflect upon the step I hadtaken. Then uaocaay feelings arose within me—vague misgivings—mis- trust of Silyio—until my apprehensions grew into an intolerable agony, and I sped hither to assure myself that I had not unconsciously become the means for tbe perpetration of any deed of treae chery. And heaven be thanked that I came!” “Lady, you saved my life,” interrupted Charles; “and this I cannot forget. Thanks to you, an affectionate mother will not be doomed to weep in bitterness for the loss of her only son, And there is another too ——”’ He was alluding to Agnes: his heart swelled with emotions—he stopped short, and hastily dashed away the tears from his eyes, “Signor, I comprehend you,’ said Ginevra gently: “ there is one who is dear to you and who would have been crushed down with affliction for your loss? You love, then,” she continued, ing tone that was very low and tremulous, but yet audible; “and if you understand the power of love, you may perhaps be enabled to make some little allowance for me. I was left an orphan at an early aga—my father died in bankrupt circum: stances—my uncle and aunt gaye me an asylum; { am not going to trouble you with a long narra- tive: but I crave your attention to a few hastily sketehed facts. Lt is not quite two years ago that al some grand religious festival I attracted the notice of the Count of Cameriao. He inquired whe I was—he sought me at my humble abode—he offered me tis hand, At that time [ knew no more of love than its mere mame. I was dazgled by the prospects of rank and wealth; I was not happy with my relatives: —cau you wonder, therefore, if & accepted the proposal. LI became the Countess of Camerino—the marriage was solemnized in private “He is in Naples—concealed some- ‘ . 1