Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 263: what you’re looking at

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

nd from the comparatively poor dwelling in | that obscure quarter of the city, I was suddenly | transported to a palatial mansion of which I be- | came the mistress. The Viscount Silvio was then | absent; and I had never seen him. Ue returned _ ina few weeks; and he was presented to me as his father’s youthful bride. I was too young to play the part of a mother-in-law: I therefore thought that we might be towards one another as sister and brother. Delusive hope! In a short time I found that my heart experienced strange feelings whenever Silvio approached me; and I | trembled all over if 1 happened to find myself alone with him. I became afraid of my own thoughts: I already felt frightened as if I were standing on the brink of a precipice: but Silvio continued to treat mo with mingied friendliness and respect. Then came the memorable fiftia of January, at the >») beginning of the present year “The date,” said Charles inquiringly, “ when the conspiracy exploded ?” “The same,” responded Ginevra. “ Alas! the Count and his son were both compelled to fy— and I remained alone at the palatial mansion. At the expiration of three weeks I learnt through the Marguis of Ortona that my husband the Count was in Paris, and that Silvio was in Vienna. But in the evening of the very same day when I re.- ceived this intellizence, Silvio sent me a billet entreating me to meet him at a particular place. Thinking that he had some tidings to communi- eate in reference to his father, I hesitated not to speed to the place of appointment. Then he told his love! He said that scarcely had he reached Vienna when he felt that he could not live without me, and he returned secretly to Naples. I cannot —I need not dwell upon this scene. Suflice it to - gay I listened—I loyed—1 was weak and I fell!” , Here Ginevra’s voice sank to a scarcely audible whisper; and for upwards of a minute she re- mained silent, the tears falling down her checks. At length she resumed in the following manner :— | “Silvio remained: concealed in Naples for a few i weeks, until at last I persuaded him to go back to a #* Vienna. I dreaded lest kis presence should be discovered by the police ;—and there was another reason why it was absolvtely necessary for him to return into Austria. This was that his father would think it strange if he did not write; and any letters that were written, must bo dated from Vienna, So we narted. But alas! in a short time I found that I was ina way to become a mother—the result of my fatal love for Silvio! I then I went to stay with my uncle and aunt There I became a mother. About a month back Silvio returned to Naples And now, Signor,’’ added Ginevra, thus abruptly winding up her history, “you know everything.” “And you say that the Count of Camerino is - now in Naples?” inquired Charles, “and that his _ suspicions are excited ?” “So Silvio assured me,” replied Ginevra, “ But I know not what to think or what to believe! Ah, Signor! al! my contidence in Silvio has been destroyed 43 “T know it,” said our hero; “and I will now | deal frankly with you. You remember your in- _ erview with the Viscount in the church vs concealed my position as long as I could; and AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE, ~ —— en eee 236 “Yes,” exclaimed Ginevra: “it was on the very day that you yourself were there! But you had left the church before that interview took place " “No—I was still thera—and I heard it all. Thus you see, lady, that at that date I had reason to suspect your love for Silvio was even more than an illicit one: but it was not until the other night, when for the first time I learnt your name at the British Ambassador’s mansion, that I comprehended the entire mystery! However, enough on that point. And now in respect to this assassin attack which has been made upon myself, I can only account for it by the suppo- sition that the Viscount Silvio feared that I should treacherously betray the secret, and that ho there- fore sought to remove me from his path. Indeed his own words ere now proclaimed this much is “And now I am left in the most horrible uncertainty with regard to my husband!’ said Ginevra, wringing her hands bitterly. ‘ Perhaps [ shall see Silvio no more:—what am I to do? I have no friend whom I can consult. Not for worlds would I seek my uncle and aunt: I loathe and detest them! I have no right to intrude my own griefs and perplexities upon you; and yet I am in that position which requires immediate action. Ahi I recollect!—there is one who will counsel me—one who is already acquainted with coy fearful secret-——” “Acquainted with your secret?” ejaculated Charles in astonishment. “To whom do you allude P” “To a worthy priest, who though a young man, is nevertheless renowned for his piety 3 Do you mean Father Falconara?” asked our hero quickly. ‘“ Yes—the same,” rejoined Ginevra. “On that very occasion to which you have already referred, when I met Silvio in the church, I confessed to Father Faleonara # ‘ Lady,” interrupted Charles, ‘“ you are indeed only too well justified in doubting and mistrusting Silvio! If it were on that occasion alone that in the confessional you breathed the secrets of your heart, Father Falconara is still ignorant of them: for beneath the Dominican garb was Viscount Silvio himself then concealed !” For a moment utter dismay and consternation seized upon the Countess of Camerino: but the next instant a light flashed in unto her mind. She recollected the circumstances of that scene in the confessional— especially how she had been answered only in monosyllables; and thus all that in the agonized and bewildered state of her feelings at the time she had failed to look upon as peculiar, now struck her as unmistakably con- firmatory of Charles De Vere’s assurance. “Oh, that {£ could have ever loved a being capable of such black treachery and such dark crimes as Silvio!”—and the wretched young lady was overwhelmed with a renewed grief. ‘“ But why, Signor—oh, why did you suffer this hideous mockery and frightful hypoerisy to take place ?”’ “Tisten, lady,’ he replied; “for the circum- stance does indeed demand explanation: I ob- tained but the merest glimpse of the features concealed beneath the cowl; and it had likewise been the merest glimpse that I had previously caught of Silvio’s countenance —-! mean on the NS errr rrr me ee re re ee COmiclhooolkks CON