Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 127: what you’re looking at

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

812 and the Countess up the marble steps, into the great hail,— where ten or a dozen domestics were now gathered to receive the visitors with every demonstration of the profuundest respect. Two ladies’-muids, of very comely appearance, stepped forward; and one said, “Perhaps, signoras, you weald like to change your toilots after travelling, aud before breakfast is served up?” The Princess and Countess accordingly quitted Charles, to accompany the maids up a grand mar- ble staircase; while a domestic in a plain suit of mourning, and having the appearance of a valet, accosted our hero, saying, “ Will it please your lordship to step this way ?” “Surely I canout be taken for any onc else ?” thought Charles: and then addressing himself to the valet, he said, “ You give me a title of nobility to which I have no right. But lead on.” The valet bowed, and conducted our hero up the grand staircase, into an elegantly furnished room, where two elderly gentlemen rose from a table at which they had been seated. The valet retired ; and the two gentlemen, advancing towards Charles, bowed with the profoundest respect. “ If I have to thank you, signors,” said Charles, “for the hospitality which is now being experi- enced by myself and the two ladies who accom- panied me, I can only assure you of our sincerest gratitude ” “Your lordship has naught to thank us for,” | replied one of the elderly gentlemen. Charles started, for the voice was familiar to his ear. where he had heard it! previous at Genoa—and the porsopage was Signor Pa) mas. | AGNES; OR, BEAUTY ANI) PLEABURR. having iwbibed @ portion thereof, felt himeelf re- freshel. “It is true, my lord,” continued the man of business, “that the title and estates of Camerind are now your's. At your lordship’s leisure you shall peruse the papers by virtue of which the he- quest was made by the deceased Count. The terms in which the documents are drawn up are most highly complimentary to your lordship, It would seem that the late lamented owner of this princely domain had many peculiar opportunities of judging of your character and disposition; and be was impressed with a sentiment of the utmost admiration for both. With his own hand has he traced the memorable words that ‘ he felt proud at the idea of being succeeded in his titles and pos- sessions by such a noble-minded individual as yourself.’ Moreover, the late Count was sensible of certain deep obligations which he owed you; and thus gratitude mingled with admiration in dic- tating the bequest which has rendered your lord- ship the owner of the domain of Camerino.” ‘‘ It appears to me like a dream!” said Charles, pressing his hand to his brow: “and yet indeed it must be a reality!” “It is a¥eality, my lord,” answered Signor Pal- mas: “and may you long live to enjoy the fruits of your good fortune. This gentleman is Signor Benvenuto, a notary of eminence residing in the town of Camerino; and I summoned him, in obo- dience to the requirements of the Tuscan law, to act aaa witness while your lordship is regularly Another moment and he recollected | and formally invested with the title and estates of It was the day but one Camerino.” “Yes, my lord,” said Signor Benvenuto; “I havo looked over all the deeds presented fur my ~ Again that title!” ejaculated De Vere. “Sig- ! inspection by Signor Palmas; and everything is nor,” he continued, “this is the third time within the last five minutes that I have been addressed in @ manner to which I have not the remotest claim. Tell me therefore, at once, is it possible that there can be any mistake?—for there is something savouring of oriental romance in the adventurcs which I am now experiencing. Tell me, once more—for whom do you take me ?” “For whom could we take you,” responded the old gentleman, “but for that which you are,—the Lord Count of Camerino.” An ejaculation of amezement burst from the lips of our hero; and it appeared to him as if ho were enveloped in the wild delusion of a dream. “Yes, my lord,” added Signor Palmas; “ per- nit us in our legal capacity to welcome you as the sole heir of the late lamented Count of Came- ring,” Charles now understood it all! There could be no mistake—no delusion: be found himeelf suddenly endowed with rank and riches; and staggering as it were beneath the influence of the feelings which seized upon him, he sank gasping for breath, and with rechog brain, upon the scta. CHAPUER ‘LY, THE YOUNG COUNT. S:ason PatMas bastened to fill a tumbler with water, wikioh he presented to our young herv, who perfectly regular and formal, I will now endurse the deeds with the requisite testimony ; and there will be no farther need for my presence until the final registration shall take place some days hence before the civil authorities.” Benvenuto approached the table on whioh several dvouments were spread ; and Charles draw- ing Signor Palmas aside into a window-recess said, “Was it not on this subject you were con versing with the Marquis uf Ortona at Genoa ?” * Yes—most assuredly, my lord,” replied Pal- mas, “ But you “I was in the adjoining room, and I could not help overhearing a part of your discourse.” “True, my lord! I recollect now !—the Mar- quis told me you were in an adjoining room, and that therefore I must speak with caution.” “ Why was I not at once iafurmed of this piece of good fortune?” inquired our hero, somewhat impatiently. “You are of course aware, my lord,” replied the notary, “that the late Count of Camerino en- trusted a scaled packet to the keeping of the Mar- quis of Ortona ” “I know it,” said Charles. ‘“ It was I who de- livered i¢ a year ago into the hands of the Mar- vis,” ue And the Marquis was instructed not to open it until the Count of Camerino’s death,” continued Palmas. ‘ Four secarity’s sake the Marquis lett the packet in my havids, along with other papers of importance; and the other day he sent me a letter w the effect that the Count of Camerino was SS cComiciaoo