Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 119: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURY. Tly2 quadroon requested the Mayor to be seated : but she suffered the sbirvi to remain standing near the casement by which these visitors had entered. “And now, signor,” she said tc the Mayor, “ perhaps you will bave the kindness to explain to me more fully the object of your presence here ?” The Mayor bowed,—and proceeded to say, “ I am sure, signora, at the outset, that you will give me credit for the best and most conscientious mo- tives. I should be the last to invade the domestic peace of a family, or to interfere in those matters which ought to be settled between husband and wife ae | “Tam afraid, signor,” said Emily, “ that this preface heralds something terrible—or at least very painful? At the same time I thank you for the delicate way in which you are evidently dis- posed to perform your duty, whatever it may be,” The Mayor again bowed—and went on to ob- serve, “I need scarcely say, signora, that all per- sons seeking an asylumin a foreign country, have a right to the protection of the laws of that country. But on the other hand, they themselves are bound to adhere to those laws ry * Would you have me understand, signor,” in- quired the quadroon, with a most amiable smile, “that we have violated the laws of your country ?” The Mayor took a pinch of snuff; and then, with a short couch, he said ina firmer tone thau he had hitherto adopted, and with a more business- dike manner, ‘ Yes, signora—the laws of Tus- cany have been violated—certainly not by your- self—but by some one residing beneath this roof. You know that I allude to your husband Signor Barrington P” “The laws violated by him ?” ejaculated Emily, with an air of surprise, though at the same time, she bent a look of most deferential humility upon the village magistrate. “I do not know how, sigoor. Our passports are in due order—we con- tract no debts—wo pay with punctuality” “True, true, signora!” interjected the Mayor: * but perhaps it would be better if I came to the point at once. The truth is, then, your husband _has become a source of alarm, if not of terror, to the whole neighbourhood 54 “Tndeed, signor?” exclaimed the quadroon. “Have you seen him misconducting himself ?— have these oflicers seen him " “In good sooth, signora,’ interjected the Mayor, “ I have scarcely ever seen your husband at all: for he, it appears, is seldom out in the day- time—and J, thank heaven! am seldom out at night,” ““And we scarcely know the gentleman,” re- marked one of the sbirri, “beyond this much,— that he is stender and well made—quite young— with hair either dark brown or else black Zs * Well, well,” interrupted the magistrate, fling- ing a glance of stern rebuke upon the garrulous sbirro ; “ we do not want you to run through the details of the personal description in his passport. Speak when you aro spoken to. Signora,” he con- tinued, turning again toward’ the quadroon, “ the habits of your husband are singular: but with their Singularity we should have nothing to do, were it ont that Signor Barrington’s conduct becomes an intolerable nuisance to the entire neighbourhood. | 111. loping his horse madly—his throat sending forth the wildest and most startling cries—he bimself being only half-dressed “4 “* And pray, signor,” asked the quadroon, “ how often have these adventures happened during tho four or five weeks that we have been resident in this house? Nota dozen times " “ Blessed saints, signora!” cried the magistrate: “andis not this number enough? If the first month of Signor Barrington’s residence in this neighbourhood must be taken as a specimen of his usual habits, there will be let me see P—twelva times twelve Well, there will be a hundred and forty-four nights in every year that the whole villaye is to be startled by the freaks and ravings of a madman !” “J)epend upon it, signor,” responded the qua- droon, “my husband’s unfortunate temperament will grow calmer. In fact, I have already con- sulted your village doctor—I have administered medicine to my husband—unknown to him—in his food ¥ “But last night,” interrupted the magistrate, “the nuisance was greater than ever. Your hus- band rode through the gardens of some dozea poor villagers, trampling down everything fe “We will pay for the damage, signor,” said Emily, taking out her purse. ** This is an after-question,” replied the Mavor: ‘and indeed, the villagers will be glad enough to waive every other consideration, if they can only get rid of your husband, and so put an end to su intolerable a nuisance.” “Well, signor,” said the quadroon, “I promise you that I will rewove with my husband into another neighbourhood as soon as [ can,” “That will not do, signora,” said the magistrate: “matters have come to that pass at which it is absolutely necessary the law should be put in foree—though in the most humane and merciful manner. I will not keep you any longer in sus- pense; for [ have come with the fixed deter- tmination of sending Signor Barrington, your bus- band, under an escort to the care of the British Ambassador in Florence, to be dealt with as may be deemed most expedient by his Excellency.” An idea struck the quadroon; and she felt that it imparted such a sudden joyous expression to her countenance she was compelled to turn aside aud raise, her kerchief to her face, for fear that she should betray herself. ‘“Poor creature!” mattered the magistrate; “TI foresaw it would give her great pain:—buat what am I to do? the law is paramount above everything !”—and now, having by this stupen- dous reflection brought back his feelings trom compassionate sympathy into official self-com- placency, he took another pinch of suuff. “No, signor,” ejaculated the quadroon, sud- denly starting up from her seat: “you would not do this!—it would be infamous and abominable, Do you know theo effect it would have? It would be consigning my unfortunate husband to a lunatie-asylum !” The Mayor bowed, from the force of a habit which had become a sort of instinct with him: and then looking bard at Emily, he said, “And upon my word, signora, the very best thing that eould be done with your husband—only I did not He raises the most fearful alarms by night—gal- | exactly like to suggest it just now.” oO co —_—_—_———— Se ree a Ee, Ghook (©) 5}