Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 327: what you’re looking at

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

and friendship towards you as a stranger in Florence.” “Signora,”’ said Marcellin, “I am glad to re- ceive this assurance, My vanity had been de- ceiving me somewhat: I am glad that I am dis- abused! ‘Tho explanation I have now to give is simple—and in all candour it must be given. It is that there is another lady who has demanded my fealty and my homage; end I have consented to wear the chains which her beauty has thrown around my heart.” “T congratulate you, M. Marcellin,” said Luerezia, with a smile which seemed most un- selfishly amiable, “‘on having formed such a plea- sant liaison: for I do not suppose that you are alluding to matrimony P” “Heaven forbid!” ejaculated Edgar. “ It is one of those liaisons which are not altogether un- known in French society, but which in Italy are far more deliciously frequent.” * And pray might I ask,” said Lucrezia, “ who is the fair charmer ‘4 “‘ It was precisely because I intended to make the revelation,’ interjected Edgar, “ that I pre- faced it with so many apologies. Now, however, that your ladyship has given me the assurance that you beheld nothing serious in wy little gallant attentions, and that you yourself in reality meant nothing when you seemed to encourage them, I have all the less hesitation and difficulty in men- tioning the name of the beautiful Ciprina.” **Indeed!” said the Marchioness. ‘“ Again do I congratulate you on your success; for she is the most beautiful creature in Florence. But I must congratulate her likewise on having achieved this conquest over the brilliant M. Marcellin !” The Frenchman bowed; and then proceeded to say, “ But there is another point on which I came to speak to your ladyship:’—and now Edgar's countenance again grew excited and troubled. **T see, M. Marcellin,” said the Marchioness, “that this second topic, whatever it be, is far less pleasurable than the former one, Has anything distressed you ?” ** What would your ladyship think if I were to tell you that a base hound of a page—a valet—a lacquey—or whatever he may be—has laid his hands upon me! Or not exactly his hands—but worse !—his riding-whip !” **Indeed, M. Marcellin!” oried Lucrezia, with an air of the most unfeigned surprise: “ is this possible P has such a thing happened P” ““Tt has happened, Signora! by heaven it has!” exclaimed Edgar, vehemently. ‘‘ Believe me when I tell you that Iam no more deficient in courage than any other individual bearing the name of Frenchman ; and you know that the French have not often been reproached either individually or nationally for a lack of courage. Well then, Signora, if I had been so insulted by an equal—by one in whose veins rolls gentle blood—I would have challenged him !—with pistol or with sword would we have met !—and the two should not have quitted the field alive! But it is now different. It is a vile page who has done this !—and the only means by which he can be chastised, is by igno- minious expulsion from the house in which bis menial services are given.” “Am I to infer from all this,” said the Mar- FP AGNES ; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. any other motives than those of hospitality ; chioness, “that it is a domestic of mine who has behaved in so infamous a manner P” “Yes—a domestic of your ladyship’s,” replied Edgar. * Then rest assured, M. Marcellin, that not merely shall he be dismissed from my service, but that measures shall be taken, if you will, to chastise him with imprisonment, But, who is he. Can you name the offender, or point him out P” “His name is Giulio, my lady,” rejoined Mar- cellin. “What!” exclaimed Lucrezia: “ Giulio to have done this? No, no! itis scarcely possible! He has ever been a good, docile, inoffensive lad—— But when did this happen ?” “Last night, Signora,” proceeded Marcellin. ‘To confess the truth, | was at your villa—I passed the day there with Ciprina: in the evening Giulio came, the bearer of a kindly written note from yourself to Ciprina. She showed it to me: it ex- pressed the hope that she was well and comfort- able, and that she had all that she required at the villa " “True,” said the Marchioness: “it was in tkis sense that I wrote to her.” “She sent her affectionate regards, accompanied by a promise to write to you to-day if she did not see you. Then Giulio,” continued Marcellin, ‘ took his departure ” “What! last night?” chioness. “Yes, to be sure!” replied Edgar. speaking of last night !” “Last night P” repeated Lucrezia. “ Giulio set out, you say, to return to Florence last night ?” “ Most assuredly! I overtook him on the road— he was riding with a timidity at which I was astonished 5 * Perhaps the mist was dense?” said the Mar- chioness. “So thick,” rejoined Edgar, “that you could not see half-a-dozen feet in front of you. Well, I overtook Giulio, as I say; [exchanged a few words with him, It suited me to make him a present; I offered him some eight or ten pieces of gold—he scorned and despised my bounty—his conduct was most outrageous! He even dashed the gold from my hand!” ‘Yes, this was indeed monstrous,” exclaimed the Marchioness. “But pray continue; for we have been very uneasy s : *To tell the truth,” continued Edgar Mar. cellin, speaking in a rapid and excited tone, “I struck the youth with my whip, for his conduct was most insulting: and then he hit me in return.” *‘Ah! then you admit, M. Marcellin,” said Lu- crezia, “that you were the aggressor P” “ Aggressor indeed !” ejaculated Edgar, with a look and tone of contempt. ‘ Who ever styled a gentleman an aggressor when chastising the inso- lence of a plebeian ?” “Oh! but you must be informed,” said the Marchioness, ‘‘ that Giulio was well born and bred ” * T found him a menial—and I treated him as such,” interrupted Marcellin. “ But how did it end P’ demanded Lucrezia ; “ for I begin to be frightened e “There is nothing to be frightened at, my lady,” exclaimed Edgar. “If I had chosen to use brute exclaimed the Mar- “7 am ——————— ee COMmiclooolks OimM