Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 95: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE, had done; and the consequence was that I came not near the suite of apartments after having in- troduced Mr. De Vere hither.” Antonia now separated trom Edgar Marcellin ; and her first care was to ascertain whether the Marcbioness had returned from the villa. She was answered in the negative: her ladyship was still at her beautiful little country-seat in the Vale of the Arno. Antonia glided up to her own chamber— put on her walking apparel—and stealing down the private staircase, issued from the mansion. Ina very short time she was at Petroro’s house. “Have you seen the English gentleman,” in- quired Antonia, “ since he quitted your house last night P” ** No—I have not seen him,” was the response. * But I have had a letter from Signor Paoli—that person, you know, whom you have inquired about on former occasions a “True!” ejaculated Antonia. “ What tidings can you give me respecting Signor Paoli P” “ He is obstinate, rash, and infatuated,” rejoined Petroro. ‘He is determined to return in some disguise into Florence—he feels that he has duties to perform—at least so he phrases his letter & “ And where is his letter P” inquired Antonia hastily. “There,” replied Petroro, pointing significantly to the fire. “ You do not think that I would keep such a document in my house, when I be- lieve that I am already more or less suspected of leaning too favourably to the democratic cause in general and to Signor Paoli in particular? How- ever, my pretty young lass, you need not think that because the letter is destroyed, its contents are lost. Nota whit of it! Signor Paoli will be here to-morow evening between nine and ten o'clock :—I would rather that he had made his appointment for some other place—but since he has taken this liberty with me, I suppose I must submit to it and run the risk. Now, my pretty signoretta,” added Petroro, bluntly, ‘ I have no- thing more to say.” “But the young English gentleman, Mr. De Vere ?” inquired Antonia. “T have not seen him since he left my house under your guidance last night. Perhaps he went straight to his hotel,” added Petroro. “Perhaps so!” ejaculated Antonia. “ Now therefore you must have the goodness to inform me at whet hotel Mr. De Vere is staying ?” Petroro named the establishment, and away sped Antonia to make further inquiries. She reached the hotel; and the answer she received to her question was the following :—“ The gentleman went out last evening, immediately after partaking of his dinner ; and he has not yet returned. You had better call again if you wish to see him.” The domestics at the hotel as yet thought it by no means singular that Charles De Vere had not returned ; for it was not ten o'clock in the fore- noon—and it seemed only too natural that he should be beguiled elsewhere by those attractions in which the city of Florence was by no means de- ficient. Antonia hastened to retrace her way to the Mirano mansion. She glided up the private staircase—sought her own chamber—threw off ber walking apparel—and was then speeding towards the suite of rooms where she had left Hdgar Mar- ef cellin, when she encountered Teresa, one of the maids speeially attached to the service of the Marchioness, “Ab, Antonia!” ejaculated Teresa; “I was looking for you! Her ladyship wishes to speak to you. She isin her boudoir.” “And when did her ladyship return P” inquired Antonia. “ Only within this quarter of an hour,” rejoined Teresa. ‘“ But make haste, or the Marchioness /may think that 1 have been remiss in seeking you.” Antonia accordingly turned her steps in an- other direction ; and instead of immediately re- joining Edgar Marcellin, sho bent ber way towards the boudoir of Lucrezia di Mirano. “Tt is fortunate that her ladyship has returned at this moment,’ thought Antonia to- herself ; “for I may thus perhaps be enabled to fulfil every portion of M. Marcellin’s instructions. But what must I say? and how must Tact? Ah! of course I must know that the Signora Ciprina bas disappeared !—and in everything else 1 must be guided by circumstances.” In another minute Antonia stood in the presenco of the Marchioness. The young girl had of course all along known that Lucrezia di Mirano was a profligate in respect to the sensual passioms: but it was only on this memorable morning for the first time that she had learnt to look upon her as a being steeped to the lips in crime and whose soul was stained with the blackest iniquities. For an instant Antonia actually felt incredulous on the point. The Marchioness appeared so beautiful | —there was such a sunny light in her largo blue eyes—tho hair of golden auburn was thrown back from a forehead so high, so pure, and so stainless, that it seemed to be tho throne of the noblest thoughts,—there was such frankness and open- ness in the expression of her countenance, with the winning half-smile upon the beautifully formed lips—and there was such an air of perfect calmness and self-possession about this lady of extraordi- nary loveliness, that it actually seemed impussible to associate her with the blackest turpitude, or to look upon her as tho personification of all the passions that might be supposed to concentrate in a fiend ! “‘ How fares it with your mistress, my beloved friend the Signora Ciprina ?” inquired the Mar- chioness. * Alas, my lady!” replied Antonia, “my mistress has disappeared |” “ Disappeared !” ejaculated the Marchioness, as if seized with amazement and grief, ‘“ What mean you?” “T mean, my lady,” rejoined Antonia, “ that the Signora Ciprina is not in her apartments m * Have you made any inquiries, or mentioned this to any of your fellow-servants ?” demanded Lucrezia di Mirano. “No, my lady. In the first placo I have only just discovered that my mistress has disappeared I did not like to be too sure I thought I had better wait until your ladyship returned home « “You have behaved very discreetly, Antonia,” interjected the Marchioness, ‘Ah! I think [ understand wherefors P Yes, yes!—you are in- deed a very prudent and good girl! Of course _—— so Ghook (©) 5}