Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 384: what you’re looking at

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

ee eee 376 and that superb domain the possession of which sbe was destined to share with him. For let it be well understood that immediately after the libera- tion of our hero from the prison-chamber—aye, within the very hour that was then passing—a courier was sent off with letters for both Lord Ormsby and Agnes io England, so aa to anticipate the probability of any evil tidings reaching them ere the favourable intelligence could be communi- cated. The reader will now understand under what Circumstances it was that Charles resolved to re- turn to the Camerino mansion. He expressed the warmest thanks to General Germini for the hos- pitalities that bad been affurded; and sincere in- deed was the assurance of his gratitude to the amiable Laura and Mirtilla. Mrs. De Vere gave them a pressing invitation to come and stay shortly at the Camerino mansion, promising to write and let them know when the Hon, Miss Evelyn and her father sbould arrive there, so that they might be made acquainted with each other. Aad now _ behold the young C unt of Camerino, and Mrs. LL Rt De Vere, and Signor Palmas, taking their seats in the carriage which bad brought our hero a captive to Sienna! And the streets of the city were lined with crowds to witnees the departure; for the case of the young Count had created the deepest sympathy when presenting its adverse phase, and the liveliest joy when showing its prosperous one. Aye, —and sill more fervid, if possible, were the mauilfestsations of delight with whicb our hero was received by bis tenantry and his peasantry, and finally by the members of his household, when re- turning to his own domain. Triumphal arches were erected—bands of music sent forth their ‘enlivening sounds—and salvoes of wusketry were fired. The muuicipal authoritics of the town of Camerino waited upon the young Count to present him a congratulatory address on returning in safety to his abode ;—and, to be brief, the liveliest de- menstrations of joy prevailed throughout the neighbourhood. Was not Mrs, De Vere happy now? She could scarcely believe that some portion of that black and hideous Past to which she looked back had been within the range of possibility: but she as- suredly did not intentionally bend her regards thereon, nor studiously revert her gaze to dis- agreeable subjects, now that there were so many elements of joy and gladness for her contemplation. And sever had she felt more proud of her son— not so much because he was possessed of princely wealth and a proud title; but because she knew beyond the possibility of doubt that through all the adventurous circumstances of the past he had borne an unblemished reputation and had secured friends by his noble spirit, his chivalrous mind, and his unflinching integrity. And perhaps Mrs, De Vere was also well pleased to find that all the mgnanimous conduct of her son towards the late Count of Camerino should have been re- compensed by the bestowal of that patrician title which completely merged the obscurer name he had hitherto borne, and that there was now little chance of any one ever studying to penetrate into the mysteries of the past so far as they regarded his birth. In a few days the formalities were all fulfilled, and otr hero was placed in complete possession of the title and estates of Camerino. A few more AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. days elapsed, and then arrived an answer to the documents which had been forwarded to the Tus- can Government. The Minister of the Interior begged to assure the Lord Count of Camerino that his explanations were completely satisfactory, and that he reed not thenceforth experience the slightest uneasiness on account of the idea which at first existed that his complicity in the attack on Le- ghorn had been wilful and intentional. The Mi- nister congratulated our hero on his accession to title and fortune, and concluded with the assurance that he would be well received by the Grand Duke whenever he might think fit to visit that Suve- reign’s Court. Some more days went by—and now we come to ao incident with which we may very suitably con- clude a chapter which perbaps has not been found the least interesting in this narrative. Charles bad been riding out one day, accompanied by hie bailiff or land-steward, in order that he might visit some of the principal tenants on his estate; and it was somewhat late in the afternoon when be returned to the mansion. As he alighted from his horse at the front entrance, bis principal valet, who was loitering on the steps—or rather, we should say, who in reality had been watching there for at least an hour past—stepped forward, and _ said, “If you please, my lord, the signora would be glad to speak to your lordship belore you retire to dress for dinner.” “ Indeed ?’ cried our hero. “I hope, Floreilo, that nothing has heappened—that my mother is quite well P” “Oh, yes, my lord,” was the response quickly and cheertully given; and it was accumpanted by e sort of half smile. “The signora is perfectly well. I think, my lord, there are letters—or—vor —yes—letteis from England ? “Ah! frem Enoglana?” and dashing past bis valet, Charles sped to the apartment in which his mother was seated, “© My dear Charles,” she at once cried, and her countenance was radiant with happiness—Oh, how different from its pallor and its ghastliness on that awful night which she had dreaded might be his last !—“ | have good news for you.” “Let me embrace you, muther, for the assur- ance! Letters, I suppose? —a courier ?” “Well, not exactly. But an arrival Ah! my dear boy, you will be so happy! To be brief, Lord Ormsby is come und everything is satisfactory You are to wed Agnes - “Ob, joy, dear mother! joy! But Agnes her- self—dear Agnes?” cried Charles: “ why did not her father bring her? Is she well?” “T believe never better in her life, my dear boy. But—but In short, you had better ask his lordship to explain everything. You qill tind him in the room leading to the aviary*and the fountains.” Away sped our hero: he reached the apartment which his mother had indicated: he opened the door, longing to ascertain from Ormsby’s lips why he had not brought his daughter: when, behold! who should meet bia eyes, but that beluved being herself, radiant with all her bewitching beauty, his charming and adored Agnes, who in another moment was clasped to bis beart! mMmicdook a (©) 5}