Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE _————— grass to grow under my feet—I accordingly came hither-——” “ But why came you to the Mirano mansion ?” demanded Paoli. ‘“ Know you not that it is the Marchioness herself who accuses you of the mur- der of my son ?” “T know it—or at least I conjectured that it must have been she who made that statement so foul—so false unto your ears !’”—and Edgar spoke sternly and emphatically. * Good heavens, what would you have me un- derstand ?”’ exclaimed Paoli, now more bewildered than ever. ‘“ Your tone—your accents, even more than your words, seem to imply a counter accusa- tion Ob, unhappy young man! or rather exe- crable villain that you are 4 “Peace, signdér !— peace!” exclaimed Edgar fiercely and sternly. “Can you not for a moment curb your passion? Listen !—I command you to listen! I came to this mansion in order to bring the guilt home to the murderess “ Murderess ?” echoed Paoli, literally shivering with the cold tremor that struck him at the hor- ribie idea, ** No, no! it is impossible ! “T tell you that it is true!’ ejaculated Edgar vehemently. ‘“‘ Yes—as there 1s a God above us, the hand which dealt death to your son was that of Lucrezia Mirano !” Though this announcement was made unaccom- _ panied by a single word of proof, and unassociated with a syllable of corroborative evidence, yet was _ there so unmistakeble a sincerity in the tone and ; _ manner of the young Frenchman, that Paoli was smitten with as strong a conviction as if the truth of the averment had been established by a dozen } : credible witnesses. But he was confounded—his tongue was paralysed —he had stopped short in the avenue of evergreens—and his feet were riveted to the spot. ** Yes,” quickly resumed Edgar Marcellin; ** Luecrezia Mirano was the assassin of your unfor- tunate son! For Giulio was her paramour Ah! _ you know not all the wickedness of that woman who under the shape of an ange. conceals the heart of a demoness! With the features of Lucrezia Borgia, she has all the volcanic passions, the fierce desires, and the vindictive instincts of the Borgia also! Signor, there is not much time for expla- nation. Suffice it for you to know that your daughter, the beautitul Corinna—and her amiable _ friend Miss Evelyn—are tully convinced of my in- sete nocence. Yes—and they entertain not the remotest doubt of the guilt of the Marchioness of Mirano! The lips of one of her own maidens—a certain Li- setta who was here at the time of the tragedy, but who for many months past has been living in Eng- Jand—the lips of that young female, I repeat, gave such intelligence to your daughter and to Miss Evelyn as thoroughly to acquit me and to bring the guilt home to the proper quarter !” “Ab, vile hypocrite of a Marchioness!” ejacu- lated Paoli; “ I begin to comprehend it all now! Ob, for revenge! But Ah! to-morrow I am to leave Florence—a decree of the police, peremptorily delivered by one of the confidential agents of Count Ramorino himself——”’ : “Ah! is it thus that the Marchioness is now working?” exclaimed Edgar. “What mean you?” inquired Paoli. “That Count Ramorino has long been a fre- ——_ quenter of the saloons of the Marchioness. Whe- ther he be amongst the list of her lovers or not I cannot tell; but very confident am I that one word breathed from her lips in his ear, would pro- cure an order for the extradition of every Nea- politan refugee in Florence.” “Oh, the hypocrite!” cried Paoli. “And yet she seemed to sympathize so naturally But tell me, signor, are you not afraid to come hither thus ? —are you not running fearful risks P” “Not such great risks as you may fancy,” re- joined Edgar. “From Lisetta I have received a complete plan of the mansion; and during my journey I have studied it so well that I am now as familiar with it as the Marchioness herself. Be- sides, I had previously a tolerable idea of its various arrangements ; for I used to be a constant visitor within its walls. But this is not all. I bear in my mind which different set of locks may be opened by the same key _ ** But the keys themselves?” said Paoli: “ how did you procure them ?” “Qh! in England,” responded Edgar, “ there are makers of what are called skeleton-keys; and in pursuance of the hints received from Lisetta, I furnished myself with those little implements whick may be as useful to the man seeking to vindicate his character as to the lurking thief and midnight burglar. Then, I knew that if I entered the man- sion by the particular vestibule where you and 1 met, I should pass unquestioned—and that the more I concealed my countenance, the better the effect would be if I happened to meet any of her ladyship’s domestics * Ah, I understand!” exclaimed Paoli: “the profligate Marchioness is accustomed to receive her lovers by that staircase P” “You have rightly conjectured,” rejoined Mar- cellin. ‘And now, Signor Paoli, return you to your lodgings—I will join you there anon 2 “Oh! let us go at once,” cried the Neapolitan, “and denounce the murderess to the authori- ties!” “Impossible!” said Marcellin: “it cannot be done thus! I have not evidence —there are a thousand things wanting—links in the chain of testimony sy “And after all she may escape!” ejaculated Paoli, in a voice of mingled rage and anguish: “she may escape!—justice may be defrauded of its due—and Giulio’s murder may be unavenged !” “In the name of heaven excite not yourself thus !” exclaimed Edgar Marcellin. ‘“ Be reason- able !—be reasonable, I entreat you !” ** Reasonable P” echoed Paoli, who seemed to be suddenly animated with a degree of passion that was rising to madness. ‘Who could be reason- able under such circumstances ? My son—my beloved son! the good, the beautiful boy! ruth- lessly, barbarously murdered! Ob, methinks that he is now before my eyes!—methinks that his shade is invoking vengeance !” “And if vengeance you would ave, signor,” interrupted Marcellin, “pray adopt the proper course to ensureit! I tell you that there are cer- tain things to be done—I have not now time to tell you what those things are—nor to sketch out my plan of proceeding u * Ob, but it is for me to act !” exclaimed Paoli. “T beseech you, let me bear my part in those | COMmMicloooks.cO in