Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 327: what you’re looking at

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

~ AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. ———— eo 319 * My lord,” replied Lucia, ‘* circumstances have established that privilege unto which I just now alluded. Do permit me to inquire ”—and there was something softly urgent in her tone,—‘ do permit me to inquire whether anything fresh has arisen to annoy or alarm you P” “Nothing, signora—nothing,” responded our hero: and then he at once assumed a cheerful aspect. ‘ “It appears to me, my lord,” continued the Countess di Milazzo, “ that if you only escape the danger incurred by the recent proceedings, you will have everything to render you happy. Ah! and that you shall escape from all peril, I am de- termined !” “What means your Charles hastily. *T mean this, my lord,’ she responded, with a blush upon her cheeks, and yet with the light of enthusiasm in her eyes,—“ that the very moment danger menaces you I will perform a duty which I feel is owing towards you! Yes,—my resolve is taken! That instant will I go forward to pro- claim that you were introduced involuntarily amongst us—that you sought to retreat, buf the laws of the Society would not permit you Ina word, I will confess everything! And now there- fore, my lord,” added Lucia, with a soft earnest- ness of voice, and at the same time with a bashful modesty mingling with a certain degree of firm- ness of demeanour, “if you are unhappy on that score, cheer up and banish all alarm !” “No, signora—no!” exclaimed our hero; “ I would not for the world that if such a crisis-were to arrive, you should sacrifice yourself for me! No—by heaven, no! I would perish sooner than that this should be done!” “And I,” answered Lucia, emphatically — “ I who am guilty, so far as there miay be any guilt at all in reference to that conspiracy,—would perish sooner than that you, who are innocent, should have a single hair of your head injured! Yes !—and as you have shown yourself so magnani- zs20us On more occasions than one, it would de- light me to have an opportunity of proviog that I am not ungrateful” The Countess was carried away by the enthu- siasma of her feelings in thus speaking; and scarccly hed she concluded when ao vivid blush again mentied on her countenance, as it suddenly struck her that she had gonetoo far and that there had been an unseemly ardour in her tone. She lifted her eyes diffidently towards our hero; he was gazing upon her at the instant as he might have contemplated any other woman who had been displaying what he regarded as the loftiest and most magnanimous generosity :—admiration was in his looks—and they smote the Countess with a peculiar effect. “Good heaven! he lovesme!” she thought to herself; and almost overcome by the sense of hap- pincss which thus abruptly seized upon her, she would have eunk to the ground if she had not clung to his arms for support. “Ob, Charles— dearest Charles,” she murmured in accents which though subdued, were nevertheless sufficiently audible,—* do I indeed fathom the secret of your heart, as you haye read mine! Ob, yes—lI love you! heaven knows how fondly! But not for an instant shouldI have had the courage to make the ladyship ?” inquired avowal if your looks had not in the first instance proclaimed your own sentiments!” She was clinging to him, we say, for supporf as she thus spoke; and the tenderness of her feelings gave an air of indescribable interest to her soft ravishing beauty. Her large dark eyes were up» turned with melting sweetness towards the -coun- tenance of our hero; and her fragrant breath fanned his cheek. It was the purest and chastest feminine love which she felt and which she was avowing; and no look, nor movement, nor gesture asorded the slightest indication of a sensual pas« sion. in all this—-indeed, in everything—how different was she from her sister!—and amidst all the confusion of thoughts and ideas which Ctarice experivucad, this contrast between tho softly fasci- nating Lucia and the fervid impassioned Biaaca was irresistibly forced upon his mind. *Zady,” he murmured, when be had sufficiently recovered his self-possession to be enabled to give utterance tos word, ‘be not offended with me— accord me your forgiveness—if by an unguarded syllable or deed on my part I should have led you to suppose And Oh! for heaven’s sake be not humiliated—for if I cannot love you otherwise than as a friend, yet Oh! believe me—believe me, Lucia—that this friendship on my part is most sincere ! * The Countess now slowly disengaged herself from the arm to which she was clinging: she retreated a few paces—the deepest blush mantled upon her face—and her looks were cast down in confusion. Then she pressed her hands to her brow witha bewildered air; and Charles thought that a sob was wafted to his ear. Lucia, my friend—my dear friesd!” he ex- claimed, hastening to take her hand; “be to me as a sister—and I will be to you asa brother! Oh, let the sincerest friendship—ithe purest fraternal love exist between us!” The Countess raised her looks, where mingled confusion and gratitude, tenderness and bashiful- ness were struggling and agitating; and she said, ** You are as kind and as generous as you are gal- lant and noble-minded! It was impossible to be your companion throuch so many strange adven- tures and thrilling iocidents without being im- pressed by a aense of your many excellent qualities —and therefere if was impossible to help loving you! J mistook your fevlings—but I experience no lumiliation because your generous kindness saves me from sinking down in my own esteem. Yes, Charles—TI will be to you as a sister!” Then, with all the ingenuous frankness which belonged to~her nature, the Countess presented her cheek to our hero, who kissed it; and Agnes herself need not have been offended thereat if she had been concealed amongst the evergreens and witnessed the incident. * Doubtless your heart is already engaged P” said Lucia, “Yes. To you will I speak with oll frankness, I love a beauteous creature—amiable and good, as you yourself are Her name is Agnes Kvelyn— she is the ‘daughter of an English peer—and though there has been some little misunderstand- ing in a certain quarter, yet do I venture to hopo that all will yet be well.” “Oh! my prayers shall unite with yours to that effect!” exclaimed Lucia, ‘“ And now that I ™ EO lNOO@LK ©) 5}