Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 277: what you’re looking at

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

Ee eS ee eS OC __ _-—_—_—_—_——_OOrowOOOOronwrrrrnrnr eases ee ee AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. The lady smiled and blushed as she said, “I have already told you that I am a native of a foreign far-off land; and you may know me by the name of Ciprina. Precisely one week have I been within these walls; and I pant for my liberty !” “ What, then, lady !” exclaimed Silvio in asto- nishment, “are you also a prisoner? And yet you are acquainted with these secret doors—you are initiated in the mysteries of this prison- house z * You see that it is so,” rejoined Ciprina. “The name you bear is Italian,” cried Silvio, still wrapped in astonishment; “but in one sense does it most admirably become you—for it is the name of Venus the Goddess of Beauty !” ** Yet deem not,” said Ciprina hastily, “ that to my own vanity or conceit am I indebted for this name: it was bestowed by him who caused me to be brought hither.” “And who was he?” asked Silvio, while he still continued to gaze with rapture upon the beautiful creature before him. “ Was it : “Of that no matter—at least for the present,” she answered. “Let us speak of yourself. Tell me who you are, and of everything that concerns you.” At that moment a sudden suspicion flashed into the mind of the Viscount of Camerino. He knew with what subtle, stealthy, insidious agencies the purposes of the Neapolitan police were often worked out: in the circumstances of his own position and that of his father he had already ex- perienced the most signal proof of the unscrupu- lous means thus adopted. What if this lady were a spy employing her siren wiles to fathom the secrets of his soul, and to ascertain for the Minister the nature of the thoughts that he might now harbour in respect to the compact he had made and the pledge he had given? All the mis- trust which was thus suddenly excited in his mind, was betrayed by his countenance as he gazed upon the beautiful face before him. Ciprina in- stantaneously comprehended what was thus pass- ing in his thoughts—for her cheeks flushed with a sudden indignation ; and rising from her seat, she said, “ Return, sir, to your own apartment—forget the indiscretion which I have committed—and if you be a man of honour, as I at first hoped and believed that you were, you will spare me the con- sequences that would probably ensue from a be- trayal of this proceeding on my part!” Silvio fell at her feet entreating her pardon. “Forgive me, beautiful Ciprina!” he said; “ for- give me for the moment’s suspicion with which I have so foully wronged you! But when a man enters within the walls of this edifice, his entire nature seems to change—he grows mistrustful of every one—and if an angel were to present her- self, as it now happens to me, be would for an in- stant dread lest it were a celestial shape worn only to conceal the demon hears witbin !” “Rise, sir—rise,” said Ciprina, now speaking more kindly. ‘I make allowances for you—and I forgive you.” As Silvio rose from his suppliant posture and resumed his seat, the lady took her own place upon the ottoman, saying, “It was indeed only too natural that you should be mistrustful of anything whick happens within these walls. I see that in- 269 stead of in the first instance seeking explanations from your lips, I ought to have commenced them on my own account in order to inspire you with confidence. But yet there is one question you must answer me. Tell me—of what are you ac- cused? for I cannot bring myself to think that it is of aught that you need blush to own.” * No, lady,” responded Silvio: “ it is a political charge that is brought against me.” “IT thought so,” she exclaimed; “and hence the observance of so much mystery! Believe me, sir, if such had not from the very first been my im- pression, I should not have displayed any sym- pathy on your behalf—I should not have sought you in your room—nor would you be here in con- versation with me. But now let me saya few words in reference to myself.” ** Beautiful Ciprina,” exclaimed Silvio, “if your object be to inspire me with confidence it is unne- cessary; for Oh! I already deeply, deeply regret the mistrust which for an instant [ displayed. But if you choose to satisfy the fervent and sympathiz- ing curiosity which I feel to learn how you, fair stranger, can be a prisoner within the walls of the Neapolitan Prefecture, I shall listen with the pro- foundest interest.” *‘ Listen then,” she responded, with a sweet smile, which revealed her pearly teeth. “ It was precisely a week ago that I was about to leave Naples. For certain reasons, which I cannot now pause to explain, it suited me to travel alone. Having taken my seat in the postchaise which I thought was to bear me away from this city, I was thinking of a variety of subjects, when the equi- page all of a sudden diverged from the street which it was threading, and turned in under a gloomy archway. It entered a court-yard; and the gates of the archway were closed. You may easily imagine that I was frightened by this circum- stance: it seemed all the more alarming because it was so unaccountable. The door of the chaise was quickly opened, and an elderly gentleman courteously requested me to alight. 1 obeyed— for I felt that I was completely in the power of those mysterious hands into which [I had fallen, or into which I was treacherously betrayed. The gentleman desired me to follow him; and he led the way up to this apartment. Here he announced himself to be the Chief of the Police. Conscious of having done nothing to entangle me in the meshes of the law, I took courage and demanded by what right my liberty was thus violated. The Chief of the Police speedily explained himself : he used but little cireumlocutiua—he came quickly to the point. He had seen me before—he had become enamoured of me: as Chief of the Police he knew as much as it was possible to be known in Naples concerning me; and as a matter of course he was cognizant of the fact that my passport was countersigned for departure from Naples. Determined to have an interview with me, he had adopted the means to procure it which I have already explained: for it appears, sir,” added Ciprina with a smile, “that persons in authority may now do anything in this country, whereas I can assure you that in my own native land it is very different !” “And what followed, beauteous lady?” asked the Viscount. “The Chief of the Police proceeded in a very COMMcooolkxs