Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 129: what you’re looking at

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

314 Apiracy, that when once I had entered upon it I should be compelled to go forward—that retreat would be impossible a * Somo such calculations as these, ray lord,” an- swered Signor Palmas, “did assuredly have their weight with the Marquis of Ortona.” “Hoe bade you come in advance,” said Charles, “and prepare the people of this place to receive mo. Was it not so P” “It was my Jord,” reaponded the old notary. ‘Ah! and now that 1 am here,” exclaimed our hero, “dare I look upon this house as a place of saletyP Am I not liable to bo arrested as a traitor to the Tuscan Government, of which in. deed I have now become a subject ? Yh short, tell mo frankly and candidly—to what extent I have verily become compromised by tho part which perforce 1 have taken in that disastrous affair P” * Poarbaps your share therein will not beoome known at all,” answered the notary ; ; “or uled, if it do transpire, you cau easily give such explatiations to the Tuscan Government as will entirely exdne- rate your lordship from all blame. And now that the enterpriso has failed, and that evérything is known, the Marquis of Ortona himself will ds a man of honour supply effidavits anc other written ex- planations, if need be, to prove that you weré not a free agent in the matter. But it is more‘than probable that you will not be molested on accdunt of that business.” “And now perhaps, Signor Palmas,” said Charles, “you may be enabled to éxplain sotne eircumetances which have hitherto been involved in inystery ——* In reference to Nino Corso and the incidents of your lordalip’a journey ?” seid Paluias, with a smile, “ Those explanations are casily given. Doubtless you are aware that Nino Corso has for years been a devoted adherent to the cause of Italian freedom. Some months ago the Count of Camering procured for him a situation in ‘the custora~house of Leghorn, to which city the worthy backney-coach driver of Naples accordingly trans~- ferred his residence. But it was uot only to serve in the revenue office of the Tuscan Government that Nino Corso went to Leguorn: it was also that he might placo himself in a position to aid the conspirators, who for a long time past had resolved upon fhaking their next revolutionary experiment at the great Tnscan seaport.” “J understand,” said Charles De Vere; “and therefore But are you one of the initiated cf the Secret Society? or aro you merely speaking frum a little knuwledge you may have obtained of a few details ” “Lam one of the initiated,” interrupted Pal. mas: “J flatter myself that I am as good a carbonaro as Ortona himself. ‘To be candid with you, my lord, [ was once the president of a sec- tion in Naples; and I was amongst those who for- tunately escaped detection when the Camerino conspiracy exploded awhile ago. Yes,” continued the notary, “Lam acquaited with everything — even to the fact,’ he udded, “that the DP inccas of Spartivento and the Countess of Milazzo heve been your lordship’s travelling companions aud are now beneath this roof.” “} am met surprised to hear you make this statement, signor,” paid Charles; “for being ac- AGNFS; OB, BEAUTY AND PURASTRN. qguainted with Nino Corso, it was doubtless you 9) ““Yes—it was I who propared him for particular coutingencies which I foresaw might possibly arise. When I left the Marquis of Ortona at Gonoa, I tuok the steamboat at once for Leghorn. On uy arrival thero I had an interview with Nino Corso: I mentioned your name—he spoke of you in terms of erthusiasm, I told him that if the enterprise should fail it was of the highest conse- quence that you should be saved fiom danger if possible—better still if you could be rescued trom even achanco of being suspected. Nino promised to be on the alert; you were devised. Tho uniform of a Tuscan oflicor—a postchaise in waiting—the requisite funds for the journey, aud to enable your lordship to lavish gold if necessary ” “1 now comprehend that all these arranye- ments were mado by you, Signor Palwmas—and L thank you,” said Charles. “But the femalo dresses for the Princess and the Countess ad “J shall not hesitate to take gradit for the thought,” replied the worthy notary, “because L am proud of it, and I rejoice that the scheme has suceecded. J had beard in tho first instance with astonishmasyt, that ‘those two magnanimous Jadies had put on masculine apparcl un purpose to fizht iu the catiso of Pinhan treedum, I thought it was all very woll thet by their heroic example and more than Amazonian fortitude tuey should in- spire the ‘hearts of their male comrades with tho most glowing ardour: but J did uot sea why thoy should incur risks and perils so utterly sneow- patible with the tenderness and softness of thoir sex. I bade Ninv Corsv be upon the look-out ; so that if the enterprise should fail and the patriots should be beater back from tha Mole, the ladies might not be expvsed to the murderous fire that would be sure to rake tho busts. Thus cortain measures wore taken to ensuro the suiety of the Princess and the Countess in eaye of need ; and by a fortunate coincidence the chivalrous pro- tection which you, my lord, were affording tiem at the time, had the effect of placing vou all three at once witnin the sphere of the arrange- ments which Nino Corso was prepared to carry out.” “ But the courter who travelled on horseback,” said Charles, “ and who assisted so mat rially in the sato progress of the pvstchaise P” Ah,” gaid Palmas, with a smile, “ that was well manayol—was it not, my lord? The man was veritably what lo represented him—a mes- senger sent off by the Governor of Leghorn to cominend that the passports of ell travellers should be examined with the most scrupulous rigour throughout his district, inasrauch as it was quite possible that some of the conxpiraturs who Lad landed migbt, have mixed with the pupulace and have thus got away. Now that particular messenger happened to be au intimate friend of Nino Corso’s — a carbonara himself — davoted to the cause—yielding a bind obetiencs to his superiors —and while ostensibly performing tho duties of his situation, yet on the other band sccretiy advancing the interests of tho fraternity tu which be belungs. Nino gave him bis instruc- tions; and as your lordship travelled withouv a passport, the agsistance of that courier became io- COnmniclooe® and the means of succouring., SS CO