Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 351: what you’re looking at

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

f AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. o43 qualification can you offer for such an avowal? ‘Ido not even know that it is necessary to waste »” any more time upon the proceedings —— “T beseech your Excellency to hear what this lady bas to say,” interposed Signor Palmas, now standing forward, “ And pray who is the lady ?” demanded Gene- ral Germini. “Is she a witness in the case? If so, she has of course aright to speak. But who is she, I repeat ?” “JT am the Countess of Milazzo,” said Lucia, throwing back the veil which had hitherto con- cealed her countenance—so beautiful, but Oh! so pale! “The Countess of Milazzo ?” exclaimed General Germini. “ Why, surely that name is familiar to me in a way but little creditable to your lady- ship ?” “Yes—I at once admit to your Excellency,” said the Countess, “ that I was amongst the con- epirators; and therefore no one can better explain how much the Count of Camerino was concerned in those proceedings 2 “ But how is it that your ladysbip is at large?” demanded Germini, in a stern voice. Here the military secretary whispered a few words to the General, and placed a paper before him. ‘Then the lieutenant who had taken Charles into custody, was beekoned to the head of the table; and he conversed in a low tone with the General for a few minutes. “Oh, now I understand!” said Germini, at length speaking aloud. “The Countess di Mi- lazzco saved herself by seizing upon a particular opportunity. And pray, signora, what evidence _ haye you to give against the prisoner? I am glad ‘ to see that you are disposed to demonstrate a sense of gratitude towards the government of his Royal Deel Highness, the Grand Duke, for the signal-favour which under circumstances you have been enabled to secure unto yourself % “Your Excellency is mistaken,” said Lucia, advancing towards the table with a firm but modest demeanour. “I am not about to give evidence against the prisoner, but entirely in his favour. Iam about to show that af * Stop, signora —stop, if you please!” inter- rupted General Germini, waving his band in a peremptory manuer: then having whispered for a few instants with the officers who sat on his right hand, he went on to observe, “The tribunal is entirely of opinion that you cannot be heard asa witness in this case. You acknowledge yourself to have been au accomplice—you are only saved by an accident from standing by the prisoner’s side ; and therefore it would be monstrous to let your ladyship come forward as a partisan wit- ness i “But in the namo of justice,” cried Lucia, joining her hands entreatingly, “i implore and beseech your Excellency ie “Silence, signora! If you compel me to speak with greater sternness,” continued Germini, “ than I could wish to adopt towards one of your sex — particularly one of your rank —it will be your own fault. You sre an accomplice, and cannot be board. It would be quite different if your sister the Princess, who gave the informa- tion, were to make her appearance as a witness. Woe should hear her at once.” The door was at the moment opening : a veiled lady entered—and she said, “The Princess is here.” ' Charles started for a moment: then he re- sumed his look of calm dignity. The Countess of Milazzo gazed at her sister with the acutest sus- pense; and the good-hearted Palmas trembled with the same feeling. Where is the Princess?’ inquired General Germini. “JT am the Princess of Spartivento:’’—and tha veil was thrown back from Bianca’s countenance, ‘J am ske who gave the information which mada the Count of Camerino a prisoner.” The Princess advanced towards the table: but she did not for a moment settle her looks upon our hero. With a single glance she had on the first instance embraced the entire scene; and then her regards were riveted only on the General. She was as pale as marble: bet those who bad never seen her before, were struck with that handsome countenance, as they had previously been with the more delicate loveliness of Lucia’s face. “T come to tell your Excellency,” said the Princess, “that this young ucbleman”’—and sha pointed to De Vere without looking at him— “entered not of his own accord into the band of conspirators - “With all this we have nothing to do,” ixter- rupted General Germini. “Qn the contrary,’ exclaimed the Princess, “you have everything to do with it! The prisoner was not a willing agent “) “Tf your Highness has naught more to tell us,” again interrupted the General, “than to speak in extenuation of the captive, it is a mere waste of words and time. It is sufficient for us to know that he was amongst the conspirators. We do not care to investigate how he came to be of the number.” * But if utterly against bis will he were drawn into the affair,” exclaimed Bianca, in a vehement and impassioned tone,—“ if all he did can be proved to have been under sternest compulsion— it would be monstrous—Oh! it would be monstrous toa degree for you to doom that young man to death on such grounds! No, no! you could not doit! There is justice in Italy! there is mercy even in a military tribunal! Remember, it is a human life that is at stake! Ye are men—ye are not monsters! The prisoner was no willing traitor to an Italian Prince. Listen—I beseech you, listen! I implore you to hear me while I tell you how the young Englishman came amongst us!” The Princess had continued speaking with such an exceeding vehemence that General Germini had vainly attempted to interrupt her. But now, as for a moment she paused through absolute want of breath, he raised his voice and said in a peremptory manner, “I will hear no more! all this is irrele- vent! Your Highness must comprehend that if you persist in taking up our time, we shall be compelled to order the ushers to remove you. You and your sister ought to be glad to think that you yourselves have escaped condign punishment, and not come hither to interfere with the solemn march of justice.” Bianca steggered back towards a seat, and sunk > COmiclbook ccc ahh ee cee le Ae se lll EL CC LL LLL LL LE LAL LLL co S|