Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 389: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. woman was intimately acquainted with the sub- terranean passages and secret recesses of this mansion a “T know it. raneans.” “She gave an entire plan of them, before her execution, to the Tuscan authorities,’ continued Floribel. ‘It was either out of revenge against Charles for being the cause of her capture—or else in the hope of making favour with the Go- vernment——” “ No matter, Floribel. say? But you = “T am about to explain, dear Agnes. For the reasons which I have already stated, I was resolved to visit you—to obtain one more interview with you in this world, that I might prepare you for what you may sooner or later hear of me. Ah! I should mention that I was living under a feigned name in the neighbourhood of Turin, when I learnt through the public prints how Charles, having passed through a marvellous series of adventures, had risen to his present position. I set off, I re- peat, to visit you: I arrived in Florence on my way hither ; and accident made me aware that La Dolfina iad given particular information to the Government relative to this mansion. A Sardinian officer—a certain Captain St. Didier—with whom I happened to be acquainted,” pursued Floribel, with a transient blush, and speaking somewhat hastily, “chanced to be in Florence at the moment Indeed, he was sent on a special and private mission from the King of Piedmont to the Grand Duke of Tuscany. Through his aid I obtained a sight of the plans drawn according to the informa- tion given by La Dolfina; and hence my ability thus to seek the interior of the Camerino mansion with this mysterious stealthiness.” “ But surely Charles does not know the existence of this communication ?” said Agnes, astonished and bewildered at what she heard, and at the same time glancing towards the door which stood open near the wardrobe. “T cannot say how that may be,” responded Floribel. ‘ There is another chamber in the house to which a staircase leads up——”’ “Yes!” ejaculated Agnes: “Charles has ex- plained it to me. It has a door formed of a look- ing glass ee “True!” said Floribel. ‘ Such was La Dolfina’s description. But there is a second staircase—it leads up from a place that has doubtless served as a hall of assembly o “OF that likewise I have heard,” said Agnes, “ And that staircase P” “It is in the thickness of the wall yonder :” and Floribel pointed towards the open door. “ Pre- sently, when I descend, I will leave the door leading into the assembly-hail open: so that if its existence, and the spring that acts upon it, be not already known to Charles, those matters may henceforth cease to remain a secret.” “Tt is his intention to fill up the subterraneans altogether,” said Agnes. ‘“ Indeed, the orders have already been given to the masons and artificers to get to work. But, Ah! when I bethink me, Flo- ribel, did you not leave this door standing wide open some time before you entered the chamber ?” “Yes,” was the answer given in a low murmur- ing tone. “Scarcely had I opened that door by She was arrested in the subter- She gave the plan, you means of a secret spring,—scarcely had I caught the first glimpse of you as you lay like an angel pillowed in innocence—when I was so overcome by my feelings that I was compelled to stop short. I staggered back !——- Ah, dear Agnes! there waa a time, until very lately, when I used to vow that never, never should we meet again !—never should my polluted breath mingle with the sweet atmo- sphere which surrounds yourself, and which is as it were an emanation of your own purity! But when I found that you were likely to dwell hence- forth in Italy, and that therefore you might possibly learn what I have been, I considered it my duty to relieve your intended husband and your father of the task of breaking that intelligence unto you. I will not tell you everything! No! —I cannot! Suffice it to say, Agnes, that as pure and stainless as you are, so polluted and unchaste am FE!” It was almost a scream that burst from the lips of our fair heroine; and as a torrent of tears gushed forth from her eyes, she threw her arma round Floribel’s neck, exclaiming vehemently, “Oh, do not speak of yourself thus! At all events if you have sinned, there is penitence—and with penitence there is redemption! Let me en- treat you, my dear cousin Ob, let me, I entreat ou 2 “Expend not your pious enthusiasm on me, dear Agnes,” interjected Floribel. ‘ My destiny is fixed—and I must accomplish it. Perhaps we shall meet no more: but rest assured, my beloved cousin, that however unworthy I may be of your consideration, yet that never can I cease to think kindly and affectionately of you!———-And now farewell.” “Oh, stay! stay, Floribel!” cried Agnes pas- sionately. “I beseech you to stay, and see my father and Charles inthe morning! Oh, remain and see your uncle!” **No—I dare not! I cannot!” said Floribel. “Think you that I have taken the pains to pene- trate hither thus stealthily without the most suffi- cient reasons? Not for worlds would I meet my uncle! And as for Charles—no, no! nor him either! Ob, cease this weeping, Agnes. you wring my heart !—Ah, before I depart let me tell. you one thing—and I rejoice to be enabled to pro- claim it with all the emphasis of conscientiousness ! It is that he whom you are about to espouse—he whom heaven has appointed to take charge of your happiness in this life—is the noblest-hearted and best-principled of men! Qh, if society must be- stow titles and wealth upon a select few, none could assuredly be found more worthy than he who now bears the proud rank of Camerino. That you will be happy, Agnes, is beyond all doubt: but it isa consummation only consistent with my sincerest and most heartfelt wishes!’’ Floribel threw herself into the arms of her weeping cousin: but speedily tearing herself away from the embrace in which she was strained, she snatched up her cloak—glided towards the door that stood open—and in the twinkling of an eye that door closed behind her. Agnes fell back upon her pillow, wondering whether it were all a dream from which she might have just been startled up. But no, no!—the warm pressure of Floribel’s lips was still upon her cheeks—and so were also the teara that had COmiclboOoks.c© 381 | in