Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 382: what you’re looking at

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

374 this sudden change which had so providentially occurred. And then in a few minutes came General Germini, accompanied by his two daughters ; for they all hastily huddled on their clothing when the Countess di Milezzo had rung at the bouse to present the packet in the young Count of Came. rino’s name. The amiable and excellent-hearted Laura and Mirtilla took charge ot Mrs. D: Vere; for the excitement of so much joy overpowered her, and she sai k senseless into their arnis, Tie Gene- ral shook hands witb our hero—féeiicitated him on bis escape from the doom which had been decreed — and expressed a hope that no ill-will would be cherished towards himself, inasmuch as he had performed nothing more than bis duty. Charles roight have answered that this duty bad been some- what roughly done, and in the fierce spirit of Go- vernment partisanship: but he was nut merely in too good a humour to say an unpleasant word to a living soul, but he likewise entertained the most grateful recollection of the generous treatment which bis mother bad experienced at the hands of the Commendant’s daughters. Thus be at once begged General Germini to be entirely at bis ease on the point just mentioned; and he then said, “ I could wish to speak alone for a few minutes with the Countess di Mil: 2z0.” “You are now the master of your own actions, my lord,” responded the Guvernor. “ The Govern- ment proclamation, by virtue of which you are set at freedom, is unmistakable and imperative. It decrees that whosoever should surrender up the correspondence of the late Carlo Alberto, should, if a member of any Secret Political Suciety, be pardoned; and if liable to any penalties in con- sequence of political offences, he shall also receive a tree pardon, with complete restoration to his civil and political rights, and to the enjoyment of his estates, fortune, or other possessions that might have been confiscated or become liable to forfeiture, And thereforé, my Lord Count of Camerino, you are in all respects absolved from any consequences of your connexion with the late conspiracy.” “ And it shall now be my endeavour,” answered Charles, “to convince the Tuscan Government that I was led entirely against my will into the insane attempt that was made upon Leghorn 9 “ A task wherein it will be easy for me and my sister to afford such corroborative evidence as shall place the matter beyond the possibility of doubt :” —and it was with emphasis that the Countess of Milszzo thus spoke. General Germini retired; and Charles, taking Tucie’s hand, exclaimed, “Ob, ty dear friend ! how illimituble is the debt of gratitude I owe you!” “ Tet me disabuse you at once, Charles,” inter- rupted Lucia, “It was not I whobave done this! Ii was my penitent and remorse-stricken sister !” “Then never again,” cried our bero vehemently, “shal the name of the Princess of Spartivento be mentioned by we otherwise than with gratitude, if nut with respect!” “Thank you—thank you, Charles !” cried Lucia fervidly, “ for this assurance !” “ Let me speed to thank your sister in person !” exclaimed our hero. “No,” rej.ined the Countess: “ that may not be! She is net equi! to such a meeting. Go tu your mother— be bappy with her! Iam abvat to return to Bianca !” AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. **Qne word, Lucia! one word!” oried Charles, “ How came your sister to get possession of that valuable and important correspondence P” “ Do not ask me—at least not tow, Charles! Suffice it for you to experience all the blessings which flow from the production of that corr spon« den e. And now farewell for the present !” Having thus spoken, Lucia hurried out of the prisvo-chamber; and she retraced ber way to the hotel, where she described to her sister all that had just taken place, and how the young C.unt of Camerino was in the enjoyment of freedom, General Germini was in every res,ect 4 time- serving individual—a worldly-minded man —with- out prifciple, selfish, and cunning. He would have helped to crush our hero when he thought that the latter was completely down in the worlds but now that his star was so fully in the ascend. ant, the Commandant lost no time in worshipping it. To be on intimate terms with the young Count of Camerino, who was immensely rich, and pos- sessed a splendid mansion at no great distance from Sienna—a mansion whereat he would doubtless give brilliant entertainments—all these were con- siderations which failed not to enter into the mind of General Germini. Thus he now overwhelwed our hero with civilities; while bis daughters, trom the most amiable motives, bes'owed their kind at- tentions on Mrs, De Vere. Charles periectly well comprehended the character of General Ger ini, aod secretly he despised it: but he accepted with frankness the hospitalitics proffered by the Oom- mandant—not merely because he knew that he should be well able to recompense them, but for the reason above stated, that he would not for the world act in @ manner that should in any way wound the feelings of Laura or Mirtilla, And here we ought to add that the worthy Signor Palmes was overjoyed when be received the tidings of the young Count’s liberation and safety, In the forenoon of the following day Charles bad another interview with the Countess di Milazzo. “You must not ask me,” said Lucia, “to tell you into what religious seclusion my penitent sister has retired: you must be contented with learning that she bas gone into a convent. Yes! the portals of @ religious establishment have already closed upon her!—and under avother name the identity, of the Princess of Spartivento is lost! Believe me, Carles, whatever her misdeeds may have been, her penitence is truly great!” “And thus your sister has retired from the world P” said our hero, who was at first lost in amszement when the tidings were communicated to him; but after a little reflection, be added, “Well, it is perhaps better thus! Yes—it is better thus! Did you convey to your sister * “All the generous assurances which you sent through the medium of my lips; and she is deeply gratetul. Here is a documen', to which her name is attached as well as mine, It cuntains a complete exuneration on your behalf of any willing compli- city in the machinations and schemes which led to the attack upon Leghorn. By the aid of this paper,” added Lucia, “ you may put yourself com- pletely right with tbe Tuscan Goveroment.”’ “in every senee, wy dear triend,” said Charles, “you exhibit tuwards we the kindest cupsidera- tion. Aud now let me basten tu give you the as- oO MIELNOOLKS (©) (©) S|