Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 290: what you’re looking at

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282. her into the long ‘passage branching off from the hall, and where they might be comparatively alone together. _ “ How is it that I find you here?” he at once inquired. Floribel blushed—hesitated—and then answered, “ Captain St. Didier introduced me,” “Captain St. Didier, Floribel ?” said Charles in areproachful manner. “And who is Captain St. Didier? what is he to you that he should be inti- mate enough to introduce you here ?” Again did Floribel blush—agein did she look confused for a few moments; ani then saddenly recovering her self-possession, as well as the forti- tude which was_ necessary for one in her false position, she said, “‘ You have already conjectured in your own mind what Captain St. Didier may be to me; and it is therefore cruel of you to seek to draw out the statement word for word and syllable for ssllable from my lips.” “My God, Floribel!” cried Charles, “is it pos- sible that you are fixed in pursuing a career of — of. ”» “ And pray,” she added, with a cold air, “ how is it that I find the very virtuous, delicate, and over- scrupulous Mr, De Vere on the most familiar and intimate terms with the Princess of Spartivento?” “Floribel!” he ejaculated, half indignantly, half reproachfully. “Tt is useless for you to deny it,” she imme- diately rejoined, in a positive tone. “ Was not the Princess leaning upon your arm,—her dark eyes bent admiringly upon you—her smiles dis- closing her pearly teeth—her voice of golden har- mony wafting joyous language to your ear me “ The urbanity of a hostess,” interjected Charles, “towards a guest whom she was pleased to distin- guish with more than the usual honour.” * Ob, Charles!” cried Floribel, “do you think I am so ignorant of the world as to receive for gospel such an explanation as this? At the very outside you could have only known the Princess of Spartivento two or three hours; and such a de. gree of intimacy as that which unquestionably exists between you = “‘T entertained the hope, Floribel,” interrupted Charles, gravely, “ that you knew enough of me to ”? he convinced **T have seen so muck of the world,” said Flo- ribel vehemently, “that I believe in nothing which is not fully proven to me. I have told you how I came hither. I have passed under the pro- tection of Captain St. Didier; and he begged me to accompany him this evening to this palace, to which he has a general invitation. I will tell you candidly that I was in no particular humour to plunge amidst scenes of gaiety after the informa- tion you had given me that Agnes has found @ father and that I have an uncle living,—a father whom she must love—an uncle whom I must fear! I would rather have remained in the solitude of my chamber, to reflect upon all these things: but St. Didier pressed me—andI came. I need not tell you, Charles, that people are not so particular on the Continent as they are in England, and that even in the very best society persons may find an entrance who would vainly seek the same privi- lege in our own native land. St. Didier’s presen- tation was therefore sufficient ; and I was smilingly welcomed by her Highness, I have now told you SN i ——— AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. the truth as it regards myself. I pray you to be — equally candid towards me, and tell me how it is that I find you at the Spartivento palace, wheh, as you rightly concluded, I thought you were pre- paring to depart from Turin.” “T can give you no other explanation,” re- sponded Charles, “ than that I was invited hither —and I came. If you do not know enough of my principles to believe that I am incapable of an act of infidelity to Agnes, you must at least have sufficient faith in my honour to be assured that I would not pledge my sacred word to a falsehood. But I swear to you, most solemnly—by everything I deem sacted—that no impure thought has en- tered my head in reference to the Princess of Spartivento, and that the conduct of her Highness towards me has been perfectly consistent with the modesty and dignity of a distinguished lady.” * T must believe you, Charles !” said Floribel: and then looking round, and lowering her voice, she added, “* Neverthelese, I deem it right to give youa warning. Although the demeanour of the Princess has hitherto been correct towards you, yet as a man of tho world you cannot do other- wise than mistrust that extreme friendliness of manner which she was displaying as she leant upon your arm. For my part I have much reason to believe, from what I have heard, that she and her sister are two wantons.” “Again this calumny!” mentally ejaculated our hero: and then he asked, ‘‘ What reason have you for entertaining such a belief ?” “TZ will tell you,” replied Floribel. “Some- thing has come to the ears of the Sardinian Go- vernment which has induced the Minister of the Interior to request that Captain St. Didier would institute a watch over the proceedings in this mansion. He came hither this evening for that purpose ; and he requested me to accompany him the better to guarantee his visit against any sus- picion.” “ And what is it that has thus been heard ?” inquired Charles, inwardly agitated and suddenly filled with anxious suspense. “Tt is positive that a great number of young men secretly visit the palace at night,” said Flo- ribel; “and therefore the two sisters must either be gallant ladies who carry on various amours, or else they are engaged in a conspiracy. These al- ternatives suggest the only solution of the mys- tery.” “ Ah! is itso?” said De Vere, assuming a some- what careless manner. “But surely your Captain St. Didier beholds nothing here, in this festive scene, to justify either suspicion ?” “No,” rejoined Floribel. “ But this very even- ing he has managed to introduce a spy into the house. Of course all that I am telling you is perfectly confidential, and intended only as a friendly warning: but I need not give you such an injunction—for I do indeed think too well of you, after all you have said, to suppose that you would surrender to the wiles and blandishments of the Princess of Spartivento—while as for your en- gaging in a conspiracy, I am sure that such an idea is simpty ridiculous.” * And that spy whom the Captain has intro- duced,” said De Vere,—“is he amongst the as- sembled company ?” “Ob, no! But I donot exactly know where (C©) ebook