Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 175: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASUEE, young Frenchman thus met,—“it would appear that you had deserted the entertainment long be- fore I thought of doing so !” “T have been to fulfil a promise,” returned Marcellin,—“ a promise which I made in the morning—to the effect that I would call upon Floribel " “ Floribel ?” ejaculated Charles, with a sudden start. ‘ What! has she revealed herself? or how did you discover who she is? But Ah! doubt- Jess you learnt the fact from the lips of Hector Hardress, or his sister e “ No, my dear friend,” interrupted Kdgar ; “ I learnt the fact from Floribel’s own lips. Her con- versation has been serious even to solemnity: I offered cverything ‘which the deepest, deepest sense of gratitude could suggest———yes, it was even marriage that I proposed—but she refused— we have separated—wo shall meet no more!” “ T was on my way to see her,” said Charles; “and I also expect to have a serious and solemn discourse with her; for I feel it tobe my duty |} !chance for me to see Floribel again! to make one more attempt to save the erring ereature—to bring her back into the path of virtue “Sho will not suffer you to act as a medium of communication between herself and Miss Evelyn,” interjected Edgar. “ But go and see her; for there are many reasons why she may listen to you in reference to matters whereon she would not permit me to touch.” The two young men separated ; and Marcellin, not feeling any inclination to return into the midst of the gaieties of the British Embassy, entered a calé to while away an hour with the newspapers. He had not been there many mo- ments when an Italian gentleman entered, bring- ing a piece of intelligence which he at onee com- municated to several acquaintances whom he met there. A decree had just been issued by the Grand Duke, removing the Count of Ramorino from the office of Minister of Police; and it further appeared that the disgraced functionary had already fled from Florence, or at all events that he had disappeared abruptly to avoid the con- sequences of his various misdeeds ; for the officers of justice had been vainly hunting for him in every direction. Meanwhile Charles De Vere proceeded to the hotel where Floribel Lister bad taken up her quarters: but he inquired for her as the Signora Ciprina, by which name she was known at the establishment. “ The signora,” replied the landlord, “ has just taken her departure.” “ Taken her departure ?” ejaculated De Vere, in astonishment. “ How long ago?” “Not ten minutes have elapsed, signor, since the young lady departed. A postchaise was ordered all in a moment fg * And whitber has she gone ?” demanded our hero impatiently. “ She said she was going to Rome, signor,” re- joined the landlord. “ Nothing could be more hurried than the whole proceeding. I hope there is nothing wrong ?” “Nothing,” answered our hero; and he has- tened from the hotel. As he was retracing his way towards the British Embassy, absorbed in painful reflections with regard to Floribel Lister, he again encountered Edgar Marcellin, who was just issuing from the coffee-house. “Have you heard the intelligence ?” exclaimed the young Frenchman. ‘“ Ramorino is displaced —and he has fled !” “ And Floribel has departed,” cried De Vere. “She must have left as speedily as possible after bidding you farewell.” *T am not surprised at it,” said Marcellin, “ But Ab! if you wish to see her, it may not be too late. Come with me !” A hackney vehicle was passing at the time: Marcellin stopped it—he aud Cuarles at once took their seats therein—and the driver was ordered to proceed to the French Embassy. “You cannot expect to find Floribel thero P” said De Vere, in astonishment. “But her maid Antonia is there,’ answered Edgar; “ and rest assured that she will not leave Florence without her.” “ Ah!” ejaculated Charles; “ then there is a But why did not Antonia join her mistress sooner ?” “The French Ambassador consicered that as Antonia was a witness in the case which has this day been investigated, it was better she should remain apart from her mistress, so that the Judge might not be led to suppose there was any collu- sion, or straining of any particular points, in order to clear my character or to throw any additional obloquy on the deceased Marchioness. When the investigation was over, Antonia and Beroardo were ordered to repair at once to the Mirano mansion, to receive from the steward the wages that were due to them, and also to procure their personal effects.—But here we are at the Embassy !” Marcellin and De Vere leapt out. The former hastened to put a few questions to the porter at the entrance; and then, again turning towards his friend, he said, “We are too late! she is gone !” “Gone? Who? Antonia?” ejaculated Charles. “Yes,” replied Marcellin. “It appears that Antonia only returned with her boxes from the Mirano mansion ten minutes ago; and at the very same instant a postchaise drove up 4 “Ah! I understand!” said De Vere. came to fetch Antonia!” * This is what I thought she would do,” rejoined Edgar: “ but we are too late! Yet there is still a chance! Come quick, De Vere!” The young men again sprang into the hackney- vehicle; and now Edgar ordered it to proceed to the Mirano mansion. “ Floribe),” he said, “ will perhaps call there to procure her own effects; for the steward has re- ceived orders to give them up to her.” “Ah! then there is still a chance!” exclaimed De Vere; “for I would not that we should part thus without one last effort on my part to establish her welfare on some solid foundation.” The two young men reached the Mirano man- sion; but as they sprang forth from the vehicle, they beheld no postchaise waiting in front of the entrance. Their eyes swept along the street—but no retreating vehicle met their view ; nor did tha sounds of any equipage fall upon their ears. “I¢ is impossible,” exclaimed Marcellin, “ that * Floribel Elooolk co 5}