Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 267: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. “Enough!” ejaculated Carlotta. “If you do not marry me, it must be because you intend some day or another to separate from me. I will not wait for that misery !—I shall be constantly living in suspenso with the knowledge that the fatal day must sooner or later come! Answer me therefore, Alexander ;—for though it will be death for me to tear myself away “Phen do not, do not think of such a thing!” ejaculated the Baronet,—“ much less talk of it ! Come, Carlotta—resolve to make yourself happy— to make me happy likewise !”’ She seemed to hesitate: her bosom heaved and s8uk convulsively—the colour went and came in rapid transitions on her countenance — and her eyelids quivered as if tears were about to gush forth. But suddenly her strength of mind became uppermost; and that young lady so ingenuous and 60 inexperienced—so artless that her conduct had often seemed to be characterized by a girlish silli- ness—developed a powerfulness of purpose which astonished her libertine seducer. _ “It is death, I repeat, to part!” she cried: “ but it shall be death rather than a prolonged dishonour ! Farewell, Alexander!” She was hastening to the door, when it opened with violence; and her father, followed by the young priest Falconara and a middle-aged gentlo- man dressed in black, entered the room! Carlotta shrieked: her first impulse’ was to fly into her father’s arms—but recollecting her degraded posi- tion, she sank down at his feet, * Pardon! pardon!” “Daughter,” said Captain Belluno, “am I to welcome you as an honourably wedded wife? or am | to look upon you as a dishonoured creature P” He paused for a few moments: Carlotta only an- swered by sobs as she clung to her father’s knees ; and then he said, “Ah! all this is eloquent enough! It only speaks too strongly of your degradation! Rise, girl—rise! You have yet a chance of being enabled to look the world in the face, without a blush upon your cheeks !’’ Sir Alexander Holcroft was startled and even elfrighted by the sudden appearance of Carlotta’s father, accompanied by the young priest and the middle-aged stranger, whoever he might be: but quickly flinging a mental glance over the whole proceeding in respect to the young lady, he felt that be was safe from any other species of mischief beyond that of a mere provocation to a duel. Tle therefore saw the necessity of assuming a de- uicanour of haughty self-possession: but he spoke not a word. He waited until the visitors should explain their purpose. Carlotta rose from her suppliant posture before her father; and covering her blushing ehecks with her bands, sho sank upon a sofa. “Sir Alexander Holeroft,” said Captain Belluno, walking straight up to the Baronet, “is it your intention to espouse my daughter P” “That Is a question, signor,” responded the Baronet, “ which bad. perhaps better be discussed between you and me alore.” ‘The idea of a duel flashed to the brain of the unhappy Carlotta; and starting up from her seat, sbe threw herself betwixt her sire and her seducer, exclaiming with passionate vehemence, “Oh! peril | not your lives on my account!” “ Rest assured,” vaid her father coldly, ‘ exclaiming, | a EE AO Oe OP ee wm ee ee, 1 259 mean to do nothing of the sort in respect to my own life.” Carlotta’s mind was relieved; and she retreated to the sofa, on which she sat down again; and now it was with a less horrified feeling of suspense that she awaited the issue of tho present scene. ** No,” continued her father, “‘ I do not intend to risk my life on behalf of a worthless daughter—or on that of a man whom I can only regard as a felon unless he consent to make honourable repe- ration and atonement for the injury he has in- flicted,” “A felon?” exclaimed MHolcroft, starting abruptly, while an angry flush came upon his countenance. “Yes—I repeat the word,” said Captain Bel- luno, whose demeanour was stern, self-possessed, and full of confidence. “This language, signor, cannot be permitted,” said the Baronet, ‘“‘no matter how great the in- jury I may have done you. Ask your daughter whether I have not treated her with love and ten- derness ” “Have you promised to marry her P” demanded Belluno. “Tt were useless to condescend to a falsehood. You have already more than conjectured that yonr daughter is not my wife—but I will not do her the injustice to dery that it was under a ; promise of espousal she consented to flee with me.’ “Then that promise must be kept,” rejoined Belluno; “or you will submit to the alternative. But again I give you to understand that it is not a duel to which I purpose to provoke you.” “ Explain yourself, Captain Belluno!” said Hoi- croft, ‘‘ What is this alternative whereunto you allude P” “The alternative is imprisonment for seven years in the dungeon of a fortress:”—and it was with an indescribable sternness that Belluno pro- nounced these words. “No, no, father !” cried Carlotta, again springing forward. “I do not wish him to be punished. For al! the wrong he has inflicted upon me, I would not have a single hair of bis head injured i “Bo quiet, girl!” interjected Belluno sternly. “You need not grieve on my account, dear Car- lotta,” said Holcroft, witha light laugh. “Itis a mere threat ‘2 “Make not too sure,” interrupted Belluno. * Vain and self-suflicient man!” said Father Faleonara, now for the first time, taking a part in the present scene: “ you are like the penerality of mortals!—you fancy that your habitation is built upon a solid rock, when it veritably rests upon a shifting sand !” Holero{t considered the priest’s words wero ominous: but still he was utterly at a loss to com- prehend by what means the menace of seven years’ imprisonment could be carried out ; and banishiog the sense of alarm, he said, “Tam well enough acquainted with the Tuscan law to be aware that it 139 no crime to ren away with a young lady, pro- vided she of her own uecord consents to be run away witb.” “A truce to this flippancy!” interposed Father. Falconara. “It ill becomes you, Sir Alexander Holerott, to display such want of foeling in the } presence of your victim and of her injured parent. ‘that I But let this scene be brought to an end $” ———-> OS ee ee rere oO COMmicloOoks nn} —— ee ote eee co 5}