Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 322: what you’re looking at

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

a eh A SN a i Ss Tet ch RI al ts Al DE Oe S18 AGNES; spiracy, that when once I had entered upon it I should bo compelled to go forward—that rotreat would be impossible Me ‘‘ Some such calculations as these, my lord,” an- swered Signor Palmas, “did assuredly have their weight with the Marquis of Ortona.” ‘‘TIe bade you come in advance,” said Charles, “and prepare ‘the people of this place to receive me. Was it notsoP” “Tt was my lord,” responded the old notary. “Ah! and now that L am here,” exclaimed our hero, “dare I look upon this house as a placo of safety P Am I not liable to be arrested as a traitor to the Tuscan Government, of which in- deed I have sow become a subject? In short, tell me frankly and eandidly—to what extent I have verily become compromised by the part which perforce I have taken in that disastrous affair P” ‘Perhaps your share therein will not become known at all,” answered the notary ; “or else, if it do transpire, you can easily give such explanations to the Tuscan Government as will entirely exone- rate your lordship from all blame. And now that the enterprise has failed, and that everything is known, the Marcuis of Ortona himself will as a man of honour supply efEdavits ana other written ex- planations, if need be, to prove that you were not a free agent in toe matter. But it is more than probable that you will not be molested on account of that business.” “And now perhaps, Signor Palmas,” said Charles, “you may be enabled to explain some circumstances which have hitherto been involved in mystery ——” “In reference to Nino Corso and the incidents of your lordsbip’s journey?” said Palmas, with a smile. ‘ Those explanations are casily given. Doubtless you are aware that Nino Corso has for years been a devoted adherent to the cause of Italian freedom. Some months ago the Count of Camerino procured for him a situation in the custom-house of Leghorn, to which city the worthy hackney-coach driver of Naples accordingly trans- ferred his residence, But it was not only to serve in the revenue office of the Tuscan Government that Nino Corso went to Leghorn: it was also that he might place himself in a position to uid the conspirators, who for a long time past had resolved upon making their next revolutionary experiment at the great Tuscan seaport.” “T understand,” said Charles De Vere; “and therefore But are you one of the initiated cf the Secret Society? or are you merely speaking from a jittle knowledge you may have obtained of a few details fy ‘‘fam one of the initiated,” interrupted Pal- mas: “I flatter myself that IT am as good a carbonaro as Ortona himself. To bo candid with you, my lord, I was once the president cf a sec- tion in Naples; and I was amongst thosa whe for- tunately escaped detection when the Camerino conspiracy exploded awhile ago. Yes,” continued the notary, “Iam acquainted with everything— even to the fact,’ he added, “that the Princess of Spartivento and the Countess of Milazzo heve been your lordship’s travelling companions and are now beneath this roof.” “IT am not surprised to hear you make this statement, signor,”’ said Charles; “for being ac- a OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURES, * quainted with Nino Corso, it was doubtless you » ‘““Yes—it was I who prepared him for particular contingencies which I foresaw might possibly arise. When I left the Marquis of Ortona at Genoa, I took the steamboat at once for Leghorn. On wy arrival there I had an interview with Nino Corso: I mentioned your name—he spoke of you in terms of enthusiasm. I told him that if the enterprise should fail it was of the highest conse- quence that you should be saved from danger if possible—better still if you could be rescued from even achance of being suspected. Nino promised to be on the alert; and the means of succouring you were devised. The uniform of a Tuscan officer—a postchaise in waiting—the requisite funds for the journey, and to enable your lordship to Javish gold if necessary " “T now comprehend that all these arrange. ments were fnatle by you, Signor Palmas—and I thank you,” said Charles. “But the female dresses for the Princess and the Countess—~~” “T shall not hesitate to take credit for the thought,” replied the worthy notary, ‘ because 1 am proud of it, and I rejoice that the scheme has succeeded. I had heard in the first instance with astonishment, that those two magnanimous ladies had put on masculine apparel on purpose to fight in the cause of Italian freedom. I thought it was all very well that by their heroic example and more than Amazonian fortitude they should in- spire the hearts of their male comrades with the most glowing ardour : but I did not see why they should incur risks and perils so utterly incom- patible with the tenderness and softness of their sex. I bade Nino Corso be upon the look-out ; so that if the enterprise should fail and the patriots should be beaten back from the Mole, the ladies might not be exposed to the murderous fire that would be suro to rake the boats. Thus certain measures were taken to ensure the safety of the Princess and the Countess in case of need; and by a fortunate coincidence the chivalrous pro- tection which you, my lord, were affording them at the time, had the effect of placing you all threo at once within the sphero of the arrange. ments which Nino Corso was prepared to carry out.” “ But the courier who travelled on horseback,” said Charles, “ and who assisted so materially in tho safe progress of the postchaise ?” “Ab,” said Palmas, with a Smile, “ that was well managed—was it not, my lord? The man was veritably what he represented him—a mes- senger sent off by the Governor of Leghorn to commend that the passports of all travellers should be examined with the most scrupulous rigour throughout his district, inasmuch as it was quite possible that some of the conspirators who bad Janded might have mixed with the populace and have thus got away. Now that Pecan messenger happened to be an intimate friend of Nino Corsu’s —a carbonaro himself — devoted to the cause—yielding a blind obedience to his superiors —and while ostensibly performing the duties of his situation, yet on the other hand secretly advancing the interests of the fraternity to which he belongs. Nino gave him his instruc- tions; and as your lordship travelled without a passport, the assistance of that courier became in- COmMiclbook ’ (©) 5} ee Oe ll