Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 343: what you’re looking at

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

———_—~—O AGNES ; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. 835 replied our hero, maintaining the utmost compo- sure of countenance. “ Well, my lord,” resumed the officer-———“ But, by the bye, I ought to ask your lordship’s pardon for-detaining you out here in the cold air-——” “Not at all. You have doubtless a duty to per- form,” said the young Count, “ Proceed.” ** My explanations shall soon be given,” con- tinued the lieutenant. ‘It issaid that two Pied- montese ladies of rank—a Princess and a Countess —were actually and positively engaged in that af. fair : it iseven believed that they fought, disguised in male apparel—that they escaped, though it is not known how—for all the information which has been obtained is very vague indeed upon the point——”—— “So it would appear, sigdér,” said our hero, with a smile of good-natured affability. “You are right, my lord: and therefore you see how meagre the instructions are upoa which IL am acting. However, to be brief, it is supposed that the two ladies I speak of have come some- where into this part of the country—and of course tho authorities will arrest them if they can catch hold of them.” “ And what, then, do you require of me, signor P” asked our hero. * Simply, my lord, that you will give the assur- ance that the two ladies who E understand arrived on a visit to your mansion the day before yester- day, early in the morning, are not those of whom I am in search. Indeed, itis a mere matter of form, my lord-——” “ OF course—I understand it in that light,” in- terjected Charles, with a smile. ‘And thus, as you have anticipated my answer, perhaps you will alight and partake of some refreshments ?” *“T thank your lordship. <A glass of wine here at the entrance, and a dram for each of my men but we have not time to dismount—-we must ride on into the town and make our report to the Mayor.” “You shall have refreshments immediately!” exclaimed our hero: and summoning a lacquey, he gave the necessary orders. “ Have you received any Gescription of the personal appearance of the two ladies P” he proceeded to ask, again addressing himself to the officer. ** No, my lord—only that they are supposed to be very handsome. But then so many of the sex answer to this description—God bless their hearts! that it is as vague as if a person was told to go out and catch an animal with a tail—and inas- much as there are very few animals without tails, it would be difficult to know which particular species was meant, But touching and concerning these ladies of yours, my lord, you have not yet given me the formal pledge I require, and which as an honourable man you will of course consider as binding as an oath.” “Here are the refreshments!” interjected Charles, who for a few minutes had vainly buoyed himself up with the hope that the business was quite set at rest—whereas he now found it re- opened, anda pointed demand made for a formal and direct answer. He busied himself to do the honours of the well-laden tray which the footman had breught out, and another lacquey was employed in distri- buting the glasses and handing cakes. — *Your wine is excellent, my lord,” said the officer, as he began sipping a second glass, “ What with youth, and good looks, a noble title, a splendid mansion, and such a cellar as this wine is a specimen of, you have everything to make life happy. And now my lord, with thanks for your kindness, we will take our departure.” * Good evening to you, lieutenant,” said our hero, ‘Iam sorry you cannot remain to drink a bottle of this wine since you relish it. evening.” “Good evening, my lord Ab, I forgot! Your lordship’s assurance, on your sacred word of honour as a gentleman, that those ladies——” ** My cousins,” interjected Charles, “Ah, your lordsbip’s cousins? Oh, well, if that’s the case, then, I’m sure we need not look here any further for a Sardinian Princess aud Countess, Your lordship is an Hoglishman—and of course your cousins are English also. And now once more good evening, my lord,” With these words, and again bestowing a mili- fary salate upon the young nobleman, the lieu- tenant wheeled round his steed and trotted away at the head of his troop; while our hero ascended hastily towards the drawing-room, delighted to think that he had settled the business so comfort. ably, by the mere accidental interjection of tho words “ my cousins,” and without being compelled to have recourso to a falsehood. CHAPTER LIX. THE PHIAL, Te young Count related everything that had passed between himself and the officer; and the fine eyes of Lucia di Milazzo sparkled with joy wken she learnt how completely all suspicion had been averted from our hero himself. The | Princess perceived that look; and again did the reptile of jealousy lift up its head in her heart, * But now,” exclaimed Lucia, “it isour bounden duty, my dear sister, to leave this house with the least possible delay! It is clear enough that at present no idea exists that his lordship the Count could have had any concern in the enterprise against Leghorn: but if we remain here : “At all events we will not discuss the subject now,” interrupted Charles, with a smile. “ Her Highness and your ladyship are safe beneath my roof.” “To be sure!” exclaimed Signor Palmas; “‘all the more safe on account of this very visit which has just been paid! The officer will go and mako such a report in the town as shall render the idea ridiculous that the Sardinian Princess and Countess could be harboured within these walls. And do permit me, my dear signora,” proceeded the worthy old gentleman, now specially addreas- ing himself to the Countess di Milaazo, “to im- plore you to guard against any sudden excitement —that is to say, a3 much as you possibly can—by maintaining a continuous controi over your feel- ings. I saw just now how deadly pale you turned when the officer and his troop came in sight—then COMmiclbooks.c© But good | inn