Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

864 ‘ be a means of saving this young man, I adjure you to explain yourself !” I have committed one crime in helping to be- tray him—though heaven knows I fancied I was doing my duty at the moment Novertheless, it was a crime on my part !—and now perhaps it may need another crime to remedy the evil ac- complished by the first !” “ And by heaven,” exclaimed the Princess vehe- mently, “you must commit this second crime |! Tis atrange, but you are speaking in language similar to that which I adopted just now when my sister was here——for she has been—and she spoke to me of the presence of the young victim’s mother at Sienna——” ‘I have heard of it!” interrupted Voitura, “TI oannot endure the idea of all this misery which has been brought about by you alone! "No! -——and therefore these evil thoughts which are haunting me—which would urge me on to become a traitor to my brethren—perbaps lead on to deeds of blood and violence who can tell ?” “What do you mean, Stefano?” cried the Princess: “fur heaven’s sake tell me what you mean !” “If there is a crime to be committed,” said Voitura, with a dark and ominous expression of countenance, “it is for you to share it with me! Yes—even though it were not as a matter of necessity that you should assist me, yet as punishment for your wickedness towards the un- fortunate Charles De Vere—your guilt in render- ing me likewise a criminal towards hin——” ‘Spare me all these bitter taunts and cutting reproaches!” interrupted the Princess; “and tell me what to do! Ob, I feel as if I could wade knee-deep through blood if it were to clear the path of those who acek the life of this unfortu- nate and innocent young man !” “I know not how it muy issue,” responded Voitura gloomily; “but that blood may be spilt is probable enough. Do you not understand me ? The correspondence of Charles Albert is in the hands of Raguso and Spezzi—and they expect me presently in the ruins of Castle D’Orco, a mile and a half from the city.” The Princess gazed earnestly and inquiringly upon Voitura’s countenance for more than a minute, in order tu read in its lineaments whether she was rightly fathoming the purpose of his soul; and then she said in a low tone, “ You would betray them into the hands of justice P you would make me give the requisite information ? perhaps you would wish me to lead the sbirri to their place of concealment? I will do it, Stefano .--I will do it! Then the correspondence will fall into our hands-————” “This is not my plan!” interrupted Voitura. “You must know that Raguso and Spezzi have taken such precautions that if the box containing the letters be stolen or wrested from them, and if a violent attempt be made to open it, it will ex- plode, and not merely consume the documents themselves, but likewise deal destruction around upon whomsoever may be within the reach of the infernal missiles. Nor is this all,” proceeded Voi- | tura: “but if you and I were to join in a deadly | struggle with those two men for the purpose of possessing ourselves of the box, they might cause it to explode—and then there would be destruction AGNES OF, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. for us all four!—destruction of the correspond- ence!—aye, and destruction therefore to the last hope of saving the young Count of Camerino !” “Then what other plan do you propose?” aaked the Princess: and she trembled with suspense. Voitura hesitated for some minutes to explain himself farther : he became violently agitated ~~ he paced to and fro in the apartment with burried and uneven steps; but at length he abruptly etopped short, as curtly ejaculating, “By heaven, it shall be done !” “Ob, yes—let it be done!” cried the Princess ; “ whatever you have in your mind which you think will save the life of that young man!” “ Heaven is my witness,” resumed’ Voitura, “that I appealed most earnestly and implorisgly to Raguso and Speszi to give up the correspond- ence for a purpose of justice and humanity—and they refused! Their conduct was unjust and in- human. Ought I now to take into consideration the young man who has been condemned to die for the faults of others—~-or these two men who have selfishly closed their hearts against him ?” “Oh, you must decide in favour of the cause of justice and humanity !” exclaimed the Princess. “And I do thus decide!” rejoined Voitura. “ Now, Prigcess,” he continued, addressing her in a resolute and even etern tune, “the moment the dusk sets in you will prepare to accompany me. It is possible that murder’s work may be done!— aye, probable that your hands and mine will be imbrued with the blood of those two men! If therefore you require leisure to pray—or to make arrangements for prompt flight—or for taking refuge in a convent-——In short, signors, as you avd I must presently enter upon a desperate path, you may perhaps have certain preparations to make. I leave you therefore until the dusk closes ip, and then I shall return.” a Having thus spoken, Voitura abruptly quitted the apartment: and as the dvor closed behind him, the Princess gave veut to a cry of exultation, adding in fervid tones, “After all, he will be saved !| he will be saved !” About a quarter of an hour afterwards the Princess of Spartivento, closelgageiled, issued forth from the hotel and inquired way towards the convent of La Trinita. This establishment was situated in one of the suburbs: the building was spacious, and stood in the midet of grounds sur- rounded by a very high wall. In the immediate neighbourhood was the church of the same name, and the priests of which acted as father confessors to the nuns of the monastic institution. The Princess rang the bell at the gate of the convent; and the summons was presently an- awered by an elderly female, wearing the common garb of a Poor Sister of the establishment. The Princess inguired if she could be permitted to see the Lady Abbess. “You must raise your veil,” said the Poor Sister: and when the Princess had complied with the instruction, the old woman scrutinized her countenance earnestly for nearly a minute. At length she seemed to be perfectly convinced thet i¢ was not one of the sterner sex who was endea- vouring to obtain admission into the sacred pre- cincts in female disguise; and she said, “ Walk in, I will convey your message to the Lady Abbess,” CO mICOOlK CO