Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 110: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, DEAUTY AND PLEASURE, near the presidential chair, with his arms crossed, and his pale, pensive, handsome countenance being altogether inscrutable. Full of anxious suspense —aye, almost agonizing was the glance which Fossano flung upon Voitura; but thence he could glean naught that was at all indicative of the way in which.matters were about to go. “TI need not explain the purpose for which we are assembled,” said the Marquis of Ortona, thus with these few words opening the renewed pro- ceedings. ‘Stefano, be kind enough to step for- wm.” Have you acquitted yourself of the task entruated to you P” “1 have,” was the response, Charles perceived that Fossano gave a sudden start; and he comprehended how the wretched mun must be inevitably shaken by the spasm of a strung torturing torror. “Thoro was a pereon waiting outside tho palaco-entrance,” continued Voitura, “ who an- ewored to the watchword of St. Didier. This I succeeded in discovering. I then proceeded to Captain St. Didior; and I found that he was pre- pared to receive a message or a billet, accom- panied by anuther pass-word.” “ And that paes- word ?” said the Marquis. All eyea were turned upon Voitura, as be said in a deep solemn tone, “The password which J gave to Cuptain St. Didier, and which he acknow- lodged, was Fossano !” There was a» murmur of sensation on the part of the brethren, while the wretched Fossano him- self sank duwn upon his knees with a groan : and. then joining his hands, he exclaimed, “ Mercy ! mercy |” At the same time Voitura handed to the Mar- quis tbe billet in cipher which St. Didier had con- tided to him. “There is no mercy in this case!” said the Marquis of Ortona, sternly, when he had perused the billet. “ We have now every possible evi- dence of your villany!—Signor De Vere, it is with unfeigned joy I congratulate you on this complete demonstration of your innocence ; and for my own sake as well as on behalf of all the othors present, I tender my apologies for the mis- trust which we entertained concerning you!” ‘ And thereforc, as you owe me somewhat,” esid De Vere, “ I shall consider myself amply re- paid for the injurious suspicions I sustained and the peril I incurred, if you will grant this wretched mau his life. Confine him in a dungeon until your expedition be accomplished—or take him with you by force, as you purposed to take me -———do what you will with him, eo long as you spare him! It is something which I have a right to dewand,” “You plead for him in vain, signor,” said the Murquis of Ortona: “ his duom is sealed. We shuuld be violating the most terrible oaths if we alluwed this wretch to escape us. Therefore, in the name of the secret laws which we obey, [ hereby decree sentence of death against Ludovico Fossano—and execution shall be forthwith done !” “Mercy! mercy!" shricked the miserable wretch: but when he was assured that his appeal was made in vain and that no mercy would bo shown him, he either sank into a torpor or else into ° dogged sullenness, nu une could exactly tell which, 296 “Let the usual lots be prepared,” said the Marquis of Ortona. Charles suddenly comprehended with a shudder that those who wero present were about to draw lots to determine who should become the execu: tioner of the doomed one. Stefano Voitura has- tened to tear up @ quantity of slips of paper; and he sat down at the table near the presidential seat, to write out the names. “J will dictate them,” said the Marquis: then he proceeded to proclaim several names, com- mencing the list with his own :— Ortona—Spar- tivento—Milazzo— Voitura — Raguso—Colamella —Do Vere-———~” “ No, by heaven! no!” ejaculated our hero, horrified and indignant. ‘And you, ladies,” ho continued, turning towarde the Princess and the Countess, “ is it possible that you can permit your names to figure in this assassin-list P” “Silence, signor!’’ interposed the Marquis of Ortona. “You have claims upon our forbear ance and consideration, but not to this extent! You are amongst us—and you ehall take your turn with the rest.” “I will die sooner than draw the accursed lot!” | exclaimed De Vere, with unabating horror and in- dignation. “Fie upon you all! I¢ makes me feel as if the dreadful scenes which I have read in books of voyages were being realized, and as if impelled by famine to the verge of cannibalism, we were about to draw lots to determine who should die to furnish food for the rest! I will have naught to do with the odious process.” “One word, eignor!” said the Marquis of Ortons. “We are here linked together by ime mutable laws; and you cannot escape their dutics their penalties. Indeed, you ought to be ashamed of your own pusillanimity when you re- flect that you shrink from those responsibilitics which two high-minded and delicately nurtured ladies accept unhesitatingly ——” “TI will not believe,” cried Charles, “that §ho _ Princess of Spartivento-——” s “You aro wrong, signor,” said this lady, with the air of a heroine who felt as if she were truly and actually embarked in the noblest and grandest cause. ‘I accept the liability.” * But your sister,” said Charles,—“ the Coun- tess? It is impvussiblo that she ‘s “Signor,” said this lady—but instead of step- ping forward, she shrank back ; “speak not of me, I entreat, as one who fears the contingencies and eventualities of the sacred cause !” Charles was shocked and horrified: but eud- denly recollecting how enthusiasm may amount to fanaticism, and how fanaticism may warp the well- principled mind, embolden the timid one, and harden the delicate, he held back the reproaches and remonstrances which he was about to puur forth from his lips. “And now, signor,” resumed the Marquis of Ortona, in a haughty and indignant manner, “I would ask who are you that you obtrude your ex- quisite fastidiousness where ladies far mure highly bred than yourself, cheerfully and magnanimously accept the responsibilities of the cause in which they are embarked ?” “Spare your invevtives, my lord,” said Charles : “but no earthly puwer shall induce me to draw in these culd-bluoded assassin lots !” 10 Comiclboolk CO