Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 115: what you’re looking at

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

aK) would be in sight of Genos. And so it was: for in less than a quarter of an hour the tall buildings of that superb and ancient city began to develop themselves to the view; and not long afterwards the postchaise wae rolling through the streets of the principal seaport of the Piedmontese kingdom. At length the equipage drove into the court-yard of a spacious and handsome mansion ; and several domestica came forward to receive the travel- lers. Charles now found that his portmanteau had been brought with the chaise; for this was the vehicle which, according to the instructions he had given to the Turin police-agent, had been sent to take him up at the gate of the Spartivento palace. Now he wasin Genoa !~and he alighted from the equipage in the court-yard of this mansion where the domestica were so assiduous in their attentions. Zo whom did the habitation belong? Charlea was not kept many moments in suspense, for Signor Raguso, advancing from the marble steps of a doorway, exclaimed, “ Welcome to Genoa !” —thoen in a hasty whisper to our hero, he added, “You are my guest, and you shall receive every hospitality. There can be no hostile feeling be- tween us P” “None,” replied Charles: and he grasped the hand that was proffered bim. He now perceived that Signor Columella was standing close behind Raguso; and the colour mounted to our hero’s cheek as he recollected how he had been insulted and accused by that indivi- dual. “If you can forgive and forgot, Signor De Vere,” said Columella, now stepping forward, “ I cap do the same.” He extended his hand, whioh Charles imme- diately took ; for he remembered the ounciliatory policy which be had determined to adopt—and he moreover recollected that he had amply chastised Columella at the time in the subterranean hall of the Spartivento palace. Raguso and Columella now conducted the guests fm; and they first left the Marquise of Urtona and Charles together in an elegantly- appointed dressing-room : they then escorted Voyitura and the other individual, whose name was Spezzi, to a neighbouring chamber. <A thought now flashed to the mind of our hero : he suddenly remembered something which in the whirl of other thoughts he had forgotten. Raguso and Colu- wella were pairs !—Voitura and Spezsi were pairs ! —Ortona and he himself were therefore pairs ! At that very moment the Marquis said to him with a smile, “ You see, my dear young friend, you and I are each other’s shadows. You in the first instance had paired off with the spy Fossano ; and after his death I took you as my own pair, seoing and considering that I was previously un- mated ; for it is not absolutely necessary that I, as the leader of the expedition, should be bound by the rule.” “ How wae it,” inquired Charles, “ that Signor Voitura was permitted to go alone, without his double, to call upon Captain St. Didier P” “Jt is obviously necessary,” replied the Mar. Quis, ‘ that I, as the leader, should be enabled to despatch at any moment whomeoover I may think Bt upon any secret or important expedition.” “And the sisters?” inquired Charles, remem. AGNES; OR, BKAUTY AND PLEASURES. bering their separate visite to the guard-room “ are they considered as a pair ?” “ Now that they are together embarking in the expedition — prepared to fight under our banner— yes, fight,” repeated the Marquis impressively,~~ “they are subject to the same laws as all the rest.” By the time the Marquis and Charles had per- formed their ablutions, and thus thoroughly re- freshed themselves after their night’s travel, Iu- guso and Columella returned to conduct them to an apartment, where they found Voitura and Spezzi and six others of the conspiraturs, A luxurious repast was served up; and ample jus- tice was rendered thereto. The conversation flowed entirely upon general topics; and it waa carried on in a free, easy, off-hand style, as if the gentlemen had nvthing serious upon their minds ; for it was absolutely necessary to maintain the ut- most caution in the presence of the domestics whe waited at tablo. When the breakfast was over, the pairs quitted the apartment at different intervals, so that at length the Marquis of Ortona and De Vore wero left alone together. “ Might I venture to ask,” said Charles, “ when we are togmbark upen the expedition P” “Hush !” said the Marquis; “ nothing must. be uttered within these walls that may stand the chance of being overheard! Bat since you have put the question, I will reply to it by informing you that we expect to embark this evening.” The door of the apartment now opened ; and a domestic entering, aldressed bimself to the Mar- quis, saying, “ May it pleaso your lurdship, a cer- tain Signor Palmas has this moment arrived.” “Ah, Palmas!” ejaculated the Marquis with an air of satisfaction, “This is excellent! I bade him meet me here, if possible! Let him come up at once.” The domestic withdrew; and the Marquis of Ortona, after reflecting Yor a few instants, said to De Vere, “I have already informed you that as the leader of the expedition | have certain powers and privileges. You will understand me, therefore, when [I tell you that you need not act as my sha- dow while I am engaged with: Palmas.” The door of an adjoining room stvod partially open; and Charles, taking the hint, strolled into that apartment, closing the door behind him. Let it be remembered that he had no intention of escape, even if the opportunity presented itself, inasmuch as he considered himself bound by his solemn oath to accompany the expedition to Leghorn. There- fore, now that he was alone, he did not give bimeelf the trouble to see where the windows of the room looked, or study the position of the apartment: but throwing himeelf upon a seat, he took up a volume of Italian poems which lay upon the table. He bad juat begun to read a few lines, when he heard the«qour of the adjoining room open and some one enter that apartment, with the words, I have the honour to salute yo lordship.” “* My dear Palmas,” cried the Marquis, “you have indeed faithfully fulfilled my insiructions ! You have been expeditious |” “The frequent plying of the steam-vessels, my lord, between Legborn and Naples, and also be- tween Leghorn and Genoa,” replied Palmas, “ has comiclbooks