Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 276: what you’re looking at

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

our hero: but the next moment he banished it— and he continued to follow the footsteps of the guide. ‘This individual presently stopped at a low door in the high garden-wall to which we ere now alluded; he gave three raps in a peculiar manner —the door opened—and the man, clutching Charles by the wrist, said curtly, “ This way !” Our hero crossed the threshold: he was dragged over it, as it were, by the suddenness of the jerk- ing clutch made at him; and the door instanta- neously closed behind him. He was inside a garden —and another man was at the door: but the one who had guided him thither, at once led the way along an avenue formed by tall trees with over-arching boughs, An almost total obscurity prevailed: but at the ex- tremity of the long vista lights were discerned. These rapidly grew brighter and brighter ; and on emerging from the avenue, our hero found that he was in the immediate vicinage of a spacious mansion brilliantly lighted, while the sounds of soft music came floating upon his ear. “One word !” he said to the man who was act- ing as his guide: “one word, I insist !” ** Not a syllable, signor !” cried the other. “ In another minute you will see her Highness !” Charles was amazed; and he would have put another question despite the injunction given to the contrary, only that at this moment a side door of the mansion was reached—and the man opened it. A lamp burnt inside a little vestibule with which this door communicated: but the man at once led the way up a staircase. A landing was reached; it was of a size corresponding with the vestibule below : but all that Charles had as yet seen of the place, little though it were, gave him the idea of an elegantly-furnished dwelling. His guide threw open the door of a room lighted by a lamp fed with perfumed oil, and where the ap- pointments were all of the most costly description, Curtly bidding him wait there, the man suddenly disappeared. Charles was left by himself for about a couple of minutes, to wonder whether he were about to see the Count of Camerino, and why the proceed- ing had been conducted with so much mystery,— when the door opened, and a lady of grand and striking beauty, and apparelled in an elegant evening toilet, entered the room. ee CHAPTER XLVI. THE PRINCESS AND THE COUNTESS. THE lady who thus entered the apartment, wag tall and of commanding presence. She was splen- didly formed; and her apparel was characterized by mingled richness and elegance. Her age might be about six-and-twenty. Her hair was dark— her eyes, not large, but very handsome, were bril- liantly expressive. They shone with the light of intelligence; and they shed their beams as it were upon acountenance of the noblest beauty. So distinguished was the mien of this lady, and so exquisitely did the feminine graces blend with a certain air of dignity and self-possession, that her very looks would serve as weapons to beat down any libertine regards that might be levelled at her. AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. Indeed, it was impossible to survey her otherwise than with mingled admiration and respect. As she made her appearance in the room, Charles De Vere saluted her with the profoundest respect 3 and she, at once proffering him her hand, said with a significant look, and with all the emphasis of which the golden accents of an Italian tongue are capable, “ Welcome thou as one of us!” These words, striking ominously upon the ears of Charles, tended to confirm the suspicion which had previously floated in his mind to the effect that some fresh political conspiracy was on the tapis ; and he hastened to say, “I hope there is no mistake, signora, in the causes that have led me to be conducted hither? But I came only in the expectation of meeting “4 “The Princess of Spartivento ?” added the lady, “Well, she is before you.” “I am proud and flattered to be permitted to form the acquaintance of your Highness,” re- sponded Charles with another profound bow, “but I must candidly confess that I had no conception this honour was in store for me. I knew not to whose mansion I was being brought—lI fancied only that I was to see my friend the Count of Camerino.” The Princess looked astonished: then an ex- pression of incredulity passed over her coun- tenance; and this was almost instantaneously succeeded by a smile, as she said, “I understand, Signor De Vere! Circumstances have rendered you cautious. I cannot do otherwise than ap- prove of your conduct. Have the goodness to remain here for a few minutes.” ‘“‘ But may I entreat your Highness “Enough, signor!” interrupted the Princess of Spartivento, with an air alike commanding and gracious: and she immediately quitted the apart ment, “Surely there must be a misapprehension some- where!” thought Charles to himself, the instant he was again alone. ‘Is it possible that to add to all my other difficulties and causes of vexation, Iam now to be plunged into some political in- trigue or conspiracy, just because I happened once to possess the acquaintance of the Count of Came- rino P Ah! there would indeed be but little real friendship on his part if he were thoughtlessly and rashly to involve me in such a dilemma! Be- sides, many long months have now elapsed since he and I parted in Naples Yes, nearly a year —and during that interval I have had no com- munication with him.” Charles knew how terribly dangerous a thing i6 was to become involved in an Italian conspiracy ; and brave though he naturally were, he trembled at the idea. Besides, he had his own pressing affairs to attend to: he was anxious to reach Eng- land with the least possible delay and have an in- terview with Agnes. But even if he were com- pletely free and unoccupied in all other respects, he was not prepared to mix himself up with the politics of a foreign country—and all the less so, inasmuch as these politics were of a class calcu- lated to plunge their disciples into a vortex of dangers. It is not therefore surprising if Charles suddenly thought of beating an immediate retreat from the Spartivento palace: he was even advano- ing towards the door with the intention of carry- ing this purpose into effect, when it suddenly COPMICLOOLKS nn} (CO)