Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 109: what you’re looking at

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

204 Stefano Vovitura kept close upon his heels; and when in the deep shade of the trees, he re- peated the name—“ St. Didier.” “'Tis well,” said the man. “ You come from - _ “One who bas well used his eyes and his ears,” ‘responded Voitura, “but who is unable to leave the place at this juncture.” “What tidings have you? or is there a billet ?” AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLBASURE. as soon as possible what you are duing and what you mean by another clue. If you require funda, let me know. The next time let the watch-word ibe the name of the individual who firet recom- | mended you to my notice.” “ ‘Will you have the kindness to deliver this ?” | aaid Captain St. Didier, as he handed the billot te | Voitura. | TI will find the means of doing so,” answored ‘A billet. I must deliver it into the hands of | this individual ; and without another word ho touk him for whom it is intended.” “Tis well,” again said the man. tain left the Spartiventu palace about half-an. hour ago. He was escorting a beautiful lady-——” “Where shall I find him ?” inquired Voitura, “He is sure to be at his own apartments in the royal palace,” answered the man; “ because he is most anxiously awaiting tho result of the present proceedings.” “Then I will hasten thither.” Voitura sped away ; and in about a quarter of an hour he reached the royal palace. On inquiry, be learnt that Captain St. Didier had that very moment returned to his apartments, and had left word that whosoever might call upon him, no mat- ter at what bour of the night, should be admitted, In a few instants therefore Stefano found bim- self in the presence of the “=sndeome aide-de- camp, who having thrown off bis uniform-coat, and put on 4 dreesing-gown, was reclining upon the eufa, smoking a cigar. trance into the apartment, St. Didier rose from “The Cap- | But on Veitura’s en- ' ceeded to the guard-room to conduct Charlos Do _ his departure. ie Sv soon as he was gone, Captain St. Didior penned the following letter to the Prefect of Police :— “Your Excellency may rest assured thore is nothing wrong at the Spartivento palace; and you need not have the premises watched for another moment. Indeed, it would be better to withdraw your spies at once, for fear lest a suspicion might be excited on the part of those ladics who have doubtless been unjustly regarded as the accom- plices or agents in @ conspiracy. “Sr. DIDIER.” Meanwhile Stefano Voitura was retracing his ateps to the Spartivento palace; and immediately on hie return, he made his way by tho private staircase to the room where the hidden mochanism afforded the means of entrance into tho subter- aneang. It was now therefore that the brothron pro- his seat, bowed, and indicated a chair: then re~ | Vero back to the dudience-hall, On entering the Suming his place on the sofa, he waited till his Visitor should begin to explain bia basiness. “ You are expecting some one P” said Ste- fano. “Perhaps,” eaid the aide-de-camp, guardedly. “TI have just parted from a certain person who is waiting about the entrance of the Spartivento palace.” “ Woll,’ “said St. Didier; “and he told you to come to me?” “ Yes—through the medium of a pass-word. ILore,” proceeded Voitura, producing the billet, “is a confidential communication which I have for you.” The aido-de-camp took the letter without saying | a word-—opened it—and read ite contents : having done which be louked up, remarking, “You will give me @ pass-word as a proof of your good fuith.” place, he fouod the Marquis of Ortuna again in the presidential seat, Fussany was brought in by three or four mombers of the Sueiety who had been specially charged to take care of him; and there was a small group of other brethren stand: ing near the Marquis of Ortona’s chair. Qu first swoeping his glances around, our heru did nut por- ceive either the Princcas of Spartiventu or tho Countess of Milazzo: but on again lovking to- wards the group, his regards suddenly becamo | riveted on the two furemost. Ho started fur an ‘ioetant with amazement: those two were tho ; Princess and the Countess, dressed in malo up- parel ! The former, being of tall stature and command- | ing figure, luoked admirably in the masculine rai- ‘tment which she thus wore; and being abuut six- and-twonty years of age, she had tho air of a very bandsome young man of une-and-twenty. Her Vouitura looked him steadily in the face, and | sister, the Cuuntess, being shorter and of | said—" Koasano “ Yos—Fussano,” anewered the aide-do-camp. “Ifyou bave any incasage or letter to cunvey to Foasano,” said Voitura, “1 shall find the means of delivering it.” ‘ St. Didier reflected that his spy must have par- ticular motives fur sending bim a billet written in slighter figure, looked like a mere stripling :—= indeed s atranger would have taken her for a beau- tiful youth of abuut seventeen. Buth the ladies wore hats; and their hair was so arranged us nut to reveal their sex. When they percui.ed that Charles De Vere noticed and recugnised them, the Princess drew herself up with a somewhat baughty cipher, instead of a verbal message, by the present | dignity, although she at the samo time flung a ewissary; and he therefore decided upon taking | meaning louk of congratulation upon our bere s the cue which seemed to bo thus givon him. He | but the Countess blushed a vivid scarlet —and sho avourdingly took up bie pen;.and in the same at once carried hor kercbief to her face to hidy cipher as that which Fossano himself used, he: her confusion. For an instant bowever Charies wrote the ensuing lines :-— caught the balf bashful, half exultant glance wlich ‘she flung upun him; and thus the looks of the two “Your's ie received; and as.the means of com- sisters at once conviuced him that he was aafo. muuivativd are Bow upon, you wust let me kouw Stefano Voitura was leauivg ayzaiust the wall nmniclooo@ CO SoCO inn