Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 325: what you’re looking at

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literally reeled in his saddle as he thus sent forth the merriest peals of laughter. page—a lacquey—a menial—a valet! This is in- deed excellent! Truly, I have come to Italy to learn some things which were utterly unknown to me in France! The idea of a page suddenly turn- ing round upon you and considering himself in- sulted! But really, my good young man, I did not mean to wound your feelings; and I do not mean to wound them now. On the contrary, I Owe you an immense debt of gratitude for having this morning borne me the message of love which led me to the villa to find myself clasped in the arms of that beautiful Ciprina. Therefore I am about to make you a present of some half-dozen pieces of gold “T require not your gold, Signor,” replied Giulio, with proud and scornful accents. Again did the gay, light-hearted, thoughtless Frenchman laugh merrily; and then he said, “You are the moat singular of all pages: but I dare swear that we shall be very good friends in the long run! And now be so kind as to answer me a question or two, that I may know precisely how I am situated and how I amtoact. Is your mistress Lucrezia di Mirano a veritable Mar- chioness? is she a lady of real fortune? and is the Signora Ciprina also in a condition of pecuniary independence? Or is it all the reverse? and is the magnificence of the town-mansion, as well as the elegant luxury of the country villa, sustained by such little affairs of gallantry as the one in which I find myself involved? For if so, I shall with the utmost pleasure remit to-morrow a draft upon my banker for a handsome amount a “Good heavens, Signor!” exclaimed Giulio, “ to what insulting language are you giving vent! My noble mistress is a veritable Marchioness, bearing one of the proudest titles in Italy ” “Still she may be an adventuress in money matters,” said Edgar: “for at Madrid I have seen a Hidalgo, with the blood of a dozen ducal fami- lies in his veins, standing at the door of a church to receive alms from the friends who had known him in better days.” “Signor,” said Giulio, “I had formed of you a very different opinion from that which I now en- tertain: I thought that you were a gentleman of delicate feelings, refined taste “Ah! am I now to be subjected to the process of a lecture?” exclaimed Edgar, again laughing. “You are the most extraordinary of all pages! But do not be offended with me—and let us un- derstand each other. If it be all love on the beau- tiful Ciprina’s side, and no selfish interest, I shall be all the better pleased ; for I have really taken a great fancy to the young lady. But if money be required, rest assured that it will be with no nig- gard hand that I shall pay for theblandishments bestowed upon me,” “Enough, Signor!” ejaculated Giulio: “ you have made my blood boil to such a pitch that all page though I am, and highly placed though you may be—yet te “Curb this hot temper of your’s, my good boy,” said Marcellin. “I really mean no offence !—I only desire to know how I may act us ““And you have been told,” interjected Giulio eurtly. “ Good!” said Marcellin: “but you will admit eer ee “What! insult a | AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. 317 that if I had not sought the information, I should still have been in doubt and uncertainty on the point ; for if such an adventure had occurred to me in my own native France, I should at once conceive that though there might be an immense talk of love on the part of the fair one, yet that the thoughts were mainly bent on bank. notes. However, in respect to my present adventure, you have set my mind at rest. And nowif you will so far condescend,” continued Edgar Marcellin, with a sort of good: humoured irony, “ to slip these eight or ten pieces of goid into your pocket ” “T want them not! I will not take them!” eja- culated Giulio: and he somewhat violently re- pelled the hand that was stretched out towards him. The effect was to make Edgar Marcellin drop the golden coins which he held in his hand; and the proceeding on Giulio’s part filled the French. man with amazement and anger. “What!” he ejaculated; ‘“alow-born menial behave thus to a gentleman!”—and in his rage he struck Giulio a violent blow across the cheek with his riding-whip. Smarting with pain, the young page dealt the irritable Frenchman two or three severe strokes in quick succession with his own whip; and Mar- cellin vociferated, ‘ Be quiet! I cannot fight with a lacquey !” “Now, Signor,” said Giulio, “let us separate. We have been long enough together—too long in- deed!—and the next time we meet I trust that even though I be no more than a page, you will treat me with the civility and respect which one man owes to another.” “By heaven, young fellow!” exclaimed Edgar Marcellin, in a tone that vibrated with rage, “I will be signally revengea for the .blows you have inflicted upon me!” Having thus spoken, Edgar Marcellin galloped away, rushing on madly through the mist as if it were all as clear as day and there was not the slightest danger to be incurred. He did not tarry to alight aad pick up the gold coins which had fallen in the road: while Giulio treated them with an equal degree of contempt. The young page belonged to a very good family which had become impoverished : he was born and educated as a gentleman ; and thus he had his strong feelings of pride, which perhaps indeed were all the more sensitive when he was reminded of the humble grade of society that he now occu- pied. In his own heart he felt himself to be some- thing much higher than a mere page or menial— for he was the lover of the Marchioness: and thus doubly harrowing to his feelings was any taunt thrown out apainst him on account of his state of servitude. Not for worlds would he receive or touch Edgar Marcellin’s gold ; and he now only regretted that he had not been enabied to inflict a much severer chastisement than he had bestowed upon the French gentleman. Giulio rode onward—but at a cautious pace ; for the density of the mist decreased not, and he was not of the same reckless, daring, headstrong dispo- sition as Edgar Marcellin. Besides, Giulio had no faith in the superior sagacity of his own steed ; and he chose not to incur any unnecessary peril, while he knew that complete safety consisted in advancing at a slow rate. DORE REA: Cc J oOimM