Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 126: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; ORF, DREAUTY AND PLEASURE. 31) cobble up the chaise to enable it to pursuo its journey—azd that there was consequently no alternative but to wait at the inna. " It scarcely deserved the name of an inn, for it was nothing more than a wretched publio-house, and there was only one decent bedchamber to be disposed of. This was of course allotted to the two ladies, who were advised hy Charlos to take a little rest during the few houra that must inevi- tably elapse ere the journey could be resumed. He himeelf anxiously awaited the return of the blackswith: but it was not until eleven o’cluck that this individual made his appearance. He then reported, in the first instance, that it would -take him at least four-and-twenty hours to mend the chaise—that he could not possibly do it in less -~-and that he defied all the smiths in Italy to do the work one minute under the time which he bad specified, “* Very well,” said Charlee coolly: “then you'll be so good as to give me an estimate of the cost before you commence.” The blacksmith named s sum that was tolerably exorbitant; but to hie surprise the young English- man drew forth a couple of gold pieces—which were four times as much as he had &sked; and placing them on the table, our hero said, * Just think the matter over again. Ie it not possible to do the work in a couple of hours if I give you these two coins P” A greedy satisfaction overspread the black- smith’s countenance, as he said, “ Well, signor, I can’t say what I might be able todo if I was w work very hard=——harder than I ever worked before !” “Of course you do not know what you can do till you try. Now set to work; and if you care about having these two pieces of gold, mind that you have finished within the time I have named.” e Charles lay down to rest upon three chairs, which were arranged with a blanket for his ac- commodation in the public room of the inn; and sleep stole over him. He awoke precisely at one o’clock, being the expiration of the two hours ac- corded to the smith: but on proceeding to inspect the works, he found thet comparatively amall pro- greas had been made. It had been necessary to invoke the aid of a carpenter; and tbe only journeyman of the craft in the hamlet had gone to bed drunk; so that it was difficult to wake him up again, and when he was roused he was not fit for much. The consequence was that our hero had to exercise his patience until past three o'clock in the morning. At length the work was done; end it wae four o’clock when the ladies being sum- mened trom their room, the travellers resumed their seate in the vehicle and the journey was con- tinued. Asoisno was reached in about a couple of hours; and now—as the morning was dawning, bright and beautiful in that Italian clime, although it was the first day of December—the equipage was rolling along the road towards the town of Came- rino. Charles was full of suspense to know for what purpuse he and the ladies had been directed tc come to that place—whum they were to meet there—and what incidenta were to follow. Was it already arranged that the chaise was to put up in Cameriny ? did the pustilion know whither he was to drive? had the word been passed on from one postilion to another at every fresh relay ? Our hero had some reason to think so; for there hat been a certain significancy in the look of all these postilions as they successively received the libers , gratuities which he gave them. At length our hero calculated that the six mile from Asciano to Camerino must be very nearly ac- complished ; and he looked forth from the window to see whether he could catch a glimpse of the buildings of the town which was last-named in the itinerary. But at that moment he heard an iron gate swing open; and the chaise turned into an enclosure resembling an English park, except that there were no deer frolicking about, At tho same time, a porter, who bad come forth from a lodge to open that gate, mado a very respectful bow as the chaise swept past. From the window might now be seen the houses and church spire of the little town of Camerino at a distance of about a quarter of a mile: but it was evident that the chaise was not proceeding towards that place. In afew minutes the equipage drew up at the en- trance of an immense mansion, of grand and im- posing appearance, and with numerous outhouses built in a picturesque style. The marble ateps— the vast folding doors—the heavy draperies with gold fringes that might be discerned through the windows—in short, everything which now met the view of the travellers, convinced them that it was a species of rural palace to which they had beon brought. Charlies eprang forth from the chaise, and de- manded of the postilion, “ Aro we to atop here?” “ | suppose su, signor,” was the reply “You were doubtless tuld to bring us hither?” asked Charles. “The word was passed to me, signor, by the postilion whom I relieved at Asciany.” “And what place is this? ” inquired Charlies. “It belonged to a great nobleman who died the other day,” “Ah! you mean the Count of Camerino ?” The postilion replied in the affirmative; and Charles, wondering more and more why be should bave been directed to come thither, hiustened up the marble steps of the front entrance, where a lacquey ‘in a handsome livery, bearing the usual Italian insignia of mourning, had just made his appearance. “T am told that we were expected here?” said our hero. “A geutleman is expecte! here,” answered the fuotman, in the most respectful manner. “ Would you tavour me with your name? ” De Vere produced his card; and the instant the fuotman read the name upun it, he made a_still lower vbeisance than before,—saying, “ Be pleased tu walk in, my lord.” “You mistake!” cried our hero. of patrician rank.” The foot uan again bowed—but said rot anvther syllable. Charles hastened to the chaise and assisted the Princess and ths Countess to alight,—at the same time observing, “ All this is very strange !—bur i suppose we shall presently learn for what purpose we have been brought hither.” He gavo the postilion a liberal gratuity; and the chaise drove away. Hoe conducted the Princess “Tam not Conn GIOoOks CO