Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 280: what you’re looking at

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

272 “His lordship has explained a fact,” resumed Ignatio, “which led to the present mistake, if mistake it really be. Jacopo and I were engaged in delivering the summonses for the meeting here to-night, when I suddenly beheld Signor De Vere enter the Hotel de l'Europe. I recognised him at once; and it immediately occurred to me that he had come to Turin for the express purpose of taking part in the important deliberations to be held at our head-quarters here on account of our Jamented leader’s loss. Was it not natural that this idea should strike me? For a long time past I had believed that he was deep in the Count di Camerino’s secrets; then I find his name in the lists discovered in the Count’s pocket-book; and lastly I behold him in Turin at the very time when his presence, if he were really what I took him for, would be required! What, ther, did I doP I waited for him in the usual manner—lI exercised the wonted degree of caution!—% gave him the watch-word ad “And did you not observe,” inquired Charles, “that I did not seem altogethor to comprehend the proceedings?” “T only saw that which led me to suppose you were inclined to be cautious,’ answered Ignatio ; “and whatsoever peculiarity there might have been in your manner, I attributed to the fact of your being an Englishman, and therefore less prompt in catching the secret signs and intimations of our fraternity than an italian member would have been.” “ And you supposed,” said De Vere, “ that I knew full well of the intended meeting at the Princess of Spartivento’s palace ? My lord,” he continued, turning to the Marquis of Ortona, * the Princess can assure you that I seemed be- wildered in her presence. Nay, more! the Countess di Milazzo herself can assure you that in her presence also I hesitated ¥ “Enough, signor! enough!” interrupted the Marquis: “wedo not doubt your word. I myself can vouch, from all I knew of you at Naples during the transactions of about a twelvemonth back, that you are a young gentleman of the highest honour, integrity, and generosity.” “ And IJ,” said Father Falconara, “ can testify to the same.” _“ Nevertheless,” continued the Marquis, “good reputo will not serve you in the present emergency. There can be no doubt that a deplorable error has been committed, and that you will be the victim of that error. But there is no alternative open to us. Weare bound by the most solemn and sacred oaths to carry out the laws of our institution ;— and by those laws,” added the Marquis, solemnly, “you must suffer death !” The lips of Charles De Vere quivered for an in- stant as he thought of Agnes: but firmly com- pressing them, he reflected—and then he said, “How am I to die?” “You cannot have fixed your mind upon that alternative!” exclaimed the Marquis, with grief depicted upon his countenance. “No! no! you will consent to join us! you will live to be instru- mental in the establishinent of Italian freedom !” “T cannot join you,” answered De Vere firmly. “But surely, as an Englishman, your prin- ciples M “Are those of liberality,” interjocted Charles, ) AGHES; OF, MYAUTY AWD PLEASTEE. “ But what right have I to conspiro in a foreign country P” “The true Liberal looks upon the whole world as his country,” replied the Marquis: “his sym- pathies are not limited to any particular nation or State: they are cosmopolitan. He is the advo- cate of truth—and truth is universal. Ho is the friend of justico—and it is his duty to aid in the extirpation of injustice wheresoever it may be found.” “T am not even acquainted with your objects,” said De Vere. ‘The force of the maxims which your lordship has just enunciated, I readily admit. I am also aware that Italy groans under a crushing tyranny :—but might I ask whether your politics and designs present an infallible panacea for the cure of all these evils which rest like a curse upon the most beautiful region of Europe?” “In the first place,” responded the Marquis of Ortona, “ our aim is to make Italy one great State, so that it shall no longer remain split into a num- ber of different territories. Thus erected into one compact kingdom he “Ab!” ejaculated Charles: “then it is the monarchical system which you purpose to adopt for your renovatea Italy P” ** Doubtless,” replied the nobleman. “But what if the masses of the population,” said our hero, “should demand the republican form of government P” “We would resist that demand,” rejoined the Marquis, “to the very utmost!” “Does itnot occur to you, my lord, that there is somewhat of tyranny in your proceeding—and that if you mean to emancipate the people from one system only to force upon them another, you still leave them as much a prey to despotism as those nations must ever be who subsist under a govern- ment in the making of which they have had no share P” “Young gentleman,” said the Marquis of Or- tona, “we meet here for the carrying out of a special purpose, and not for the discussion of it. Qur cause is a most holy one, and is beloved by all who enter upon it. There was our lamented friend the Count of Camerino,—he vowed, after the fatal occurrences at Naples, whereby he lost a wife and a son, that he would bid farewell to the world and all its jarring interests. But he could not long tear himself away from his old love I mean the cause of down-trampled Italy! And thus he returned to it. Then there is Father Falconara, who has often entertained scruples lest the avocations of a minister of the gospel should be incompatible with the intrigues of a patriotic politician: but he also comes back to the rallying point when his country needs his services. And again, have we not amongst our ranks the two glorious sisters—ladies of the highest distinction, beauty, and wealth, but whose only thought is the emancipation of their country? I might name many others as illustrations of patriotic devoted- ness: but it will be sufficient if I conclude with an allusion to my own humble self. For I, like the rest, have everything to lose, but naught to gain, except the joyous approval of my own con- science and the delight which will be experienced when Italy shall be free.” “Not free, my lord,” said Charles; “but only placed under a different system. Your speech has chook nn} (€@) Ss