Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 245: what you’re looking at

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

ST AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PL°ASURB. 237 Lord Ormaby gruated in the bitterness of his spirit: for it was now iwpossible to doubt any longer the meaning of the lady’s words. CHAPTER XL. LORD ORMSBY'S PROCEEDINGS. On quitting the hotel, Lord Ormsby proceeded direct to the Mirano mansion; and he inquired whether he could be permitted to visit the portrait gallery. The reply was in the affirmative; and the steward forthwith made his appearance to escort the visitor. In the seclusion of bis American life the nobleman had studied much, and had taught himself several European languages. He spoke French and Italian with very considerable ability ; and he was thus enabled to converse with the steward who was now conducting him to the por- trait-gallery. “Strange and fearful events were those which recently took place,” said Ormsby, “ connected with this palatial mansion.” ~ * Yes—sad, very sad, signor!” was the response. “But not the least astonishing was the discovery made by myself, Signor De Vere, and Signor Mar- cellin, of the Minister of Police, hidden in the secret passages of the building!” “ Yee—I heard of the incident,” Ormsby. “ Of course the Count of Ramorino,” continued the steward, “ was well acquainted with those mysterious places, because the Marchioness had told him about them when she wanted him to carry off certain persons who were obnoxious to her. So when the Count got involved in such fearful troubles and warrants were issued for his arrest, he doubtless remembered the secret passages, and it struck him that they would constitute an ox- eellent hiding-place until the heat of pursuit should have abated. Ab! never was seen such a crest-fallen individual as the Count when he was dragged forth from his hiding-hole, and when we surrendered him up into the hands of the very sbirri who but a few hours back were his own most subservient slaves. The mighty Chief of Police, before whom all Florence had quailed and trembled, presented as abject a picture of human nothingness as ever was contemplated !”’ “ And what has become of him ?” inquired Lord Ormsby. “ He has been sent as a prisoner to that very fortress of Bagno to which he was so fond of send- ing others. There he will doubtless remain for life—unless by any means he should succeed in effecting his escape, as Signor De Vere and the Signora Ciprina so marvellously contrived to do.” * And that Signora Ciprina,” said Ormsby,— “to what nation did she belong ?” “ It was not exactly known,” answered the stew- ard; “ but there are reasons for supposing that she was an English lady. I would rather not say anything more about her, signor—uniless it were to speak of the good qualities she possessed; for everybody liked her within these walls, And so for that matter we liked the Marchioness also. Ab! who could have foreseen what dreadful things were to happen ?” replied The picture-gallery was now reached; and Ormsby asked, “ Which is the portrait of Lucrezia Borgia ?” “This one,” replied the steward, as he indicated the famous painting which had been restored to its place in the gallery. “ What beauty!” exclaimed the nobleman: “ what a lovely countenance! and what an amiable expression! And did your mistress so strikingly resemble this picture——” “ That it seemed as if she herself had sat as its original !” added the steward. “ And I believe,” resumed Ormsby, “ that you have in the gallery a picture representing the Signora Ciprina?” “ Yes,” cried the steward; “and a wondrous likeness it is! The artist drew her as a Bride. I know not why such a fantasy took him—or whether it were that having fixed upon his sub- ject, he availed himself of the offer of the Mar- chioness that her friend the Signora Ciprina should sit as the model. However, the signora did serve as the original of the picture; and the Marchioness bought it for a very considerable sum of monsy. Here it is, signor.” One glance at the countenance, and Lord Ormsby was satisfied that he had comprehended Mrs. Hardress aright, and that Floribel and Ci- prina were one and the same person! Yes—there was that countenance, the same in its soft sensuous beauty—the same in its expression of voluptuous languor, as that which the nobleman had seen at Sidney Villa! The portrait was of life size: it showed the greater part of the figure; and the voluptuousness of the countenance was subdued by the contrast existing in the chastity of the toilet. At the bottom of the picture Cupid was introduced with his wings and his bow; and all the other details were exquisitely designed and admirably executed. But with what mournful feelings was it that the nobleman gazed upon the picture! That Floribel, whose beauty if accompanied by pro- priety of conduct, might have secured for her some alliance as brilliant as it was honourable, had become a lost and degraded creature! Ormeby beheld before him in that picture only the sen- guous personification of PuzasuRB ; and his heart sank sorrowfully within him, until it sud- denly leapt with an ecstatic bound at the thought of his well-beloved daughter, who in contrast with her cousin might be regarded as the veritable in- carnation of the most ethereal ideas of chastest BEAUTY. Having contemplated the two principal pictures in that gallery, Lord Ormsby cared not to bestow any attention upon the rest; and he slipped a couple of pieces of gold into the steward’s hand as a recompense for his attention. The steward ac- companied him down to the threshold of the principal gate; and the nobleman lingered for a few instants there to listen to some remarks which the steward was making upon recent events. All of a sudden the steward nudged the nobleman in 4 significant manner; and at the same instant he bowed to a handsome and elegant-looking young gentleman who was passing. “There, signor!” hastily whispered the steward ; “that is the very young Englisuman who bore so conspicuous a part in the adventures 1” Comics ooksTco inn