Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 88: what you’re looking at

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

/ 80 AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE, means and the disposition to be implacable in the vengeance. Our hero strode towards the door and locked it. “Now, signora,” he said, hastily returning to confront the Governor’s wife, “ my freedom is in your hands—and you must accomplish it !” “‘ Impossible !” she ejaculated, with dismay upon her features. “There seemed to be no such word as impos- sible,” replied Charles quickly, “ when the gratifi- cation of your passion was concerned ; and [I shall not admit of it now when my liberty is at stake.” * But what can I do?” asked the unfortunate “Then you must have come suddenly and un- | woman, who séemed to be utterly bewildered. expectedly ?—for no inmate of the castle is per-| ‘‘ Oh, my dear young gentleman!” cried Ur- mitted to receive any visitors—I mean to stay | sula, who also looked the very picture of mingled within the walls—unless with the formal assent of | terror and despair; “ go and surrender yourself! my husband.” Keep silence ! a lady’s honour is at stake,” “Ah! if I have infringed any regulations,” | “TI did not court this position,” rejoined Charles, and expose the whole plot the success of which was So vitally important to himeelf. ** Yes, yes—I must believe you!” said Signora Belluno. “But how could I again look you in the tace without blushing? When did you arrive | at the castle?” | “ When did I arrive? Oh, this evening!” “Then you have not yet seen my husband P” demanded the lady quickly. A a a Nn On ' | “No, signora. I suppose that I must have | come after he had left to pass the evening with his friends or else Father Falconara would have presented me to him.” stant some accident should betray the stratagem : the other of a master who possessed alike the cried Charles, catching at the hope which seemed | hastily but firmly; “and my circumstances are so suddenly held out to him, “suffer me to depart at | desperate that I have no choice but to avail my- once !—let me not compromise my friend, who has | self of the advantage which it gives me. Save doubtless committed some oversight !” me!—it is the only condition of your safety |” “Why, good heavens! what means this?” sud- “ Ah!” exclaimed Signora Belluno, suddenly dis- denly ejaculated the Governor’s wife. ‘That | playing a new phase of conduct; “what if I were garb—I recognise it! Yes—’tis the very same!|to dare you to do your worst? Here we aro -; tis Father Falconara’s! Oh, blessed saints! | two to one!—our assertions will outvalue yours! ; there is some horrible mystery! And you are too | You came into this apartment, mistaking your young to be a priest !—you cannot have numbered | way more than twenty years of age!” “Ridiculous!” ejaculated Charles, with indig- At this moment the door of the apartment | nant vehemence,—‘ when I had already passed burst open; and Ursula—the elcerly female who | through the lobby to visit the priest’s rooms, and had brought Charles De Vere thither—rushed in, | knew that my way was down the staircase again. exclaiming in wild affright, “We are lost, sig- | The tale will not, serve you! ‘You are both in nora! we are lost! Ob, wretch that you are! | my power, I repeat; and by heaven! if lam ree Brigand! robber! what have you done?’—and | captured I will reveal the whole truth. Hide me | these last words were vehemently addressed to | —take me to your own chamber, signora! No one | our hero. will penetrate thither !” Charles had at once raised the kerchief to his| The lady exchanged rapid looks with Ursula: countenance, immediately upon the bursting open | they both saw that the young gentleman was firm of the door: but Ursula, springing forward, tore |—-and they comprehended that his was a neck- it away as she gave vent to those violent re- | or-nothing position. proaches. “Come quick!” said Signora Belluno; “ and “In the name of heaven what is the matter?” | you, Ursula, unlock that door!—for if any one demanded Signora Belluno, who had become pale | should seek to enter here and find it fastened, sus- as death; for her previously excited suspicions | picions may be excited !” that something was wrong, were now fearfully| Having thus spoken, the Governor’s wife hastily confirmed. led Charles De Vere to an inner apartment, which “This villain is an escaped prisoner!” ejacu- | was evidently a dining-room ; at the same time that lated Ursula. ‘He feigned illness—he bound | Ursula proceeded to unlock the door of the sitting and gagged the good Father Falconara—he is the | apartment which the other two had just quitted. young man who arrived this rorning with the | Meanwhile Signora Belluno conducted De Vere lady " from the dining-room, along a corridor, into a bed- “ Wretch'!” said the Governor’s wife, flinging a | chamber; and throwing open the door of a dress- terrific look upon Charles De Vere. ing-room, she said, “ Remain here! I will go and “The turnkey went in kindness to his cell,” | see what is to be done !”’ proceeded Ursula, “to take him some extra bed-| The lady then rapidly retraced her way; and ding “s on reaching the sitting apartment, she found the “Listen!” said our hero, now perceiving the| turnkey waiting for her, he having entered a few absolute necessity of acting sternly and promptly | moments back. and availing himself of the advantage which the| ‘Oh! dear signora!” exclaimed Ursula, rushing lady’s indiscretion had given him. ‘ You are | forward to meet her mistress; “ such a calamity both in my power—and I command you to be|has happened! And his Excellency absent at the silent !” moment too !” Both Signora Belluno and the woman Ursula} “A calamity?” ejaculated Signora Belluno, as- recognised in a moment the truth of the assertion | suming an air of mingled surprise and terror: that they were in De Vere’s power; and they|“ what do you mean? What is it, Roderigo P” were smitten speechless with consternation—for | she demanded, turning towards the official. the one stood terribly in awe of a stern husband,| “It is most mysterious, signora,” was the reply. COTRMICLOOKS. (EO) 3