Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 90: what you’re looking at

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

ee ae ee AGNES; “Then if the prisoner be still in tho castle,” hastily interjected the Governor’s wife, “he must be concealed somewhere in these rooms! Come, let us search! Have you got your pistols, Rode- rigo ?” The man drew forth a brace from the breast of his surtout coat; and Signora Belluno, catching hold of one of them, said with a resolute air, “In my husband’s absence I must do my duty with courage and firmness. Come, let us search!” Roderigo proceeded to look behind the dra- peries, under the sofas, and ‘in the green-house built projectingly along the casements. . They passed into the diniug-room, where the search was continued ; they entered the corridor, and they continued their investigations in three or four apartments which opened thence. On reaching the bed-chamber at the extremity, Signora Bel- Juno said, “ Remain you bere at the door, Ro- derigo; but be ready to succour me in case of need,” She entered the chamber: she looked under the bed—behind the draperies and hangings—and in the cupboard: then she entered the dressing-room, a pistol in one hand and a candle in the other. The instant she crossed the threshold, she darted a significant look upon Charles De Vere ; and he comprehended the stratagem which she was exe- euting. “There is no one here,” she said, retracing her steps from the dressing-room and closing the door behind her. ‘‘ And there is no other outlet!” ejaculated Ro- derigo. ‘This is the most wonderful thing I ever knew in the whole course of my life! But we have sent off for his Excellency ; and when he arrives we shall see what is to be done.” “But have you despatched persons on horse- back in pursuit P”? demanded the lady. ‘This is of the utmost consequence !” ‘““ No—I have not done so, signora,”’ responded Roderigo, “In fact, it all happened so suddenly, and took us so completely by surprise de “No doubt! no doubt !” said the lady quickly. “ But let this now be done! Have horses sad- dled !—lose not a moment!” “* Not a moment, signora!’’—and away sped the turnkey to execute the mandate which he had just received. The Governor’s wife threw herself upon a sofa in the sitting-apartment, almost overpowered by the excitement of her feelings. Ursula was there; and looking piteously in the face of her mistress, she said, “ Ah, now, signora, what, in the name of the blessed saints, is to be done?” “JT know not!” responded the lady, wringing her hands in despair. “For the present he is concealed : but heaven only can tell how long he may be safe !” ‘“And his Excellency is sent for!’ exclaimed Ursula: ‘in a few minutes he will be here !” “Ah! an idea strikes me!” cried Signora Bel- luno. “Yes! it is the only means! Uasten down to your son—urge him to get the horses saddled as speedily as possible—tell him that my husband will loso his situation if the prisoner be not caught! Do your best to create confusion—be- wilder the hostlers—offer to lead out the steeds into the yard as fast as they are saddled—and take care that there is a horse in readiness for any OR, BEAUTY ANP PLEASURE. one who whispers in your ear the number Twenty- mine !” Ursula hastened off to execute the commands of her mistress ; and we should here observe that her son was the head hostler in tho stables of tho Governor. Signora Belluno now sped hack to the dressing- room,—this time with a candle only in her hand, and with no pistol, Oharles De Vere was most anxiously awaiting her presence. “Good heavens!” she whispered in an almost rending tone; “what am I suffering for your sake! But you shall be saved if you follow my counsel !—and there is not a moment to be lost! Here! put on this uniform! Be quick! Five minutes at the very outside are all that can be thus wasted !” While still speaking, Signora Belluno tore open a clothes-press and displayed a martial suit which belonged to her husband; and she knew, or at least hoped, that in the darkness of the night, and in the confusion prevailing in the court-yard, it would pass for the uniform of one of the subor- dinate officials employed in the fortress. She left a ilght in the dressing-room; and retiring into the bed-chamber, hastily took the sheets and quilt off the bed, twisting and knotting them into a rope. She was a prey to the most feverish anxiety: —never in all her life had she laboured under such a state of excitement,—fur the return of her husband ere her projects were fully executed, would spoil everything ! The rope was finished—and she impatiently tapped at the door of the dressing-room. “IT am ready,” said Charles, at once opening it, The lady rushed in: and sure enough, our young hero was completely arrayed in the uni- form which had been furnished him. Even to the cocked hat the apparel was perfect ! — but the garments hung somewhat loosely on De Vere’s form, for he was more slender than the Governor of Bagno. Signora Belluno opened the window of the dressing-room, and made one end of the rope fast to some massive article of furniture which stood conveniently at hand. The night was pitch dark; but it was evident that the utmost excitement prevailed throughout the castle; for the trampling of steeds, the sounds of martial weapons, the ex- clamations of many voices, the opening and shut- ting of doors and gates,—all combined to form one general din, which had already reached the ears of our hero and the lady even before the window was opened, but which now was heard all the more plainly. “ Descend by this rope,” said the Governor’s wife, speaking in a rapid and excited manner. “ It is long enough, I have no doubt! You will find yourself in a small yard, the walls of which are not very high. Exactly facing this window there is a cistern, up which you may climb; and by the aid thereof you can scale the wall. You will then be in the yard attached to the stables of the ofli- cers. See! there are lights now moving about in that yard! Eustle and confusion there prevail! Ursula is there—she will have a borse in readiness for you! Look out for her—and whisper in her ear the number Twenty-nine! Ah, I had well- nigh forgotten! Have you money for your ex- penses on the road ?” COMME DOO (E@)