Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 133: what you’re looking at

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

318 Charles! T eet?? epenk ! woman loved! Jt isa love thet can either melt me info tho softest of my sex, or madden me into the wildest and most frenzied! Which is it to be? J can live for you, and make li‘e a heaven for us both;—but I will not live without you I will go down into the grave even though it be Satan’s hingdom itself into which I shall be rushing headlong! Again I say, do not interrupt me! You shall hear me out! Do you look upon meas a murderessP As there is a God above us, Charlee, I became a murderess for your sake! I explained this to you on board the ship—and you know that what I told you was the truth. Have I therefore no claim upon your heart,—I who bevo risked my own soul for your sake? If you refuse me your love—if you deny me the only solace which can be now offered me—I mean your affection—you will be guilty of ingratitude the most stupendous !” “Signora,”’ said Charles, who was almost con- founded on finding that the Princess was resolved. to view the matter in such a light and appeal to him through such a medium,—“ what if you compel me to confass that I cannot love you ?” * Ouly tell me that you do not loathe me—that you do not hate and abhor me,” cried Bianca, with a voice and look of the most impassioned entreaty, —“and the assurance will suffice for my bappi- ness! Yes!—because then 1 sball know that tho rest will depend upon me! And, Ob! I will win your love! I will lavish upon you the tenderest endearinents—I will anticipate your slightest want —! willbe your slave! Is this no proof of love ? Oh, if a few days back any ove had told me that such words ae these would ever issue from the lips of the Princess of Spartivento, the prediction would have been seorned and scouted with indig- nation! But, Oh! love has made me humble— and I could grovel at your feet! Have mercy upon me !” The Princers sank upon her knecs, her hand- some countenance upturned towards our hero— her clasped hands outsiretched. Tle was terribly bowildercd : ho was afflicted and he was horrified : he joathed the woman, aud yet he pitied her: he felt it his duty to repulse her—and yot that duty wae so harsh, so stern, so cruel he could not pos: sibly perform it! “Have mercy upon me!” she repeated: and new hope thrilled in her accents, for she thought that he was moved by her cutreaties and prayers. “{€ you do not choose to make me your wife, let me be your mistress! I who was once all pride, am now all humility !—I who was once as strong in woman’s virtue as ever the best and purest of the sex could be, am now all weakness! Yes—I will be your slave !” “It cuts me to the very eoul to hear your Highness speak thus !" exclaimed Charles. “ Rise, lady—rise !” and when he attempted to force her up from ber suppliant posture, sho seized both his hands and pressed them to her lips. “lise, signora—I insist!” he exclaimed, now becoming impatient and angry; and he used a degree of violence in raising her of -.uich the moment after he wasuehamed. “ Pariou me—pardon me, I be- seech you, if there wee aught unmanly in my conduct |—but this (ene must end, signora, both for your sake and fine! You turco a certain 6 AGNES; OR, BRAUTY AND TLEASULE, T love you as never {| avowal from my lipsp—and now therefore let it be made !-—I love another!” “Ab! and the Pr.ocess started: thor she be- camo moticoniess—rigid in features avd 1;7 limbs— while a deadly pallor ovorapread her cu ‘tenance’ “The avowal ig made,” coutiny u Charlee, re- covering his fortitude and his /elf-posseasion ; “and I beseech that my condug in making it may be duly appreciated by the famining delicacy of your Hichness. Again I say that if you will recall and forget everything which ys now passed —I on my side will so bear myselt\towards you that you shall have no reason to thinu my me~ mory retains aught of what has occurred |” “'Tis well. Be it so,” said the Princess, witha cold monotony of voice. “I thank you for the proposal. It is a compact.” It seemed as if a corpse were speaking—so pale, so rigid were her features—so fixed hor gaze —so cold ber manner, Was that the glowing and impassioned woman who a few minutes before,hal been proclaiming her love in such fervid tones? The contrast was almost incredible: but Charles hoped that tho change was a proof of the power of command which the lady was able to exercise over herself, Yee—{t is a compact, my lord,” she repeated ; “and I need not say that I understand it to mean that to no living soul—no, not even ” and she gusped for uttorance,—“ no, nut even tu my sister “ Believe me, signora,” interjected Charles, “ the secret shall be as sacred as if it were buried in the tomb itself {” “T hold you to your word—-and I thank you.” Thus speaking, the Princess turned and quitted the room. Charles threw himself upon a seuf, pressed his hand to his brow, and cjaculated within himself, “I am bewildored aud distracted by the scene} Unhappy woman! I cannot help pitying her~and yet my.soul recoils trom her as if from a reptile whose loathsome nature is nob concealed by the beauty of its skiu!” He started up from his chair-—he haetene | from the room—aud he desconded into the spacious gardens attached to the mansion. ‘There were avenues of bright evergreens, leading to hot- houses and conservatories filled with luscious fruits and beautilul flowers; and there were {uun- tains playing. Charles proceeded along these avenues, giving way to his reflections, —when in obedience to the impulse of his thoughts, ho pre- sently ejaculated, “ Would that | were away trom hence! Though it is my own domnin, yet would I sooner be in a certain spot on the good old Iug- lish soil 1” “ My lord,’’ said a sweet voice near, “ I was not intentionally playing the part of an eavesdropper —nor did I even know that you were iv the garden. But suffer me to exercise the privilege of a friend—and let me ask whether you are un- happy ?” It was the Countess of Milazzo wh» appcared round the angle at the extremity of the avenue as she thus spoke; and Charles, with that gentlemanly courtesy which was natural to him, hastened to say, * Pardon me, my lady, if you beard from my lips aught which could Jead you to believe that L fail to appreciate the nonuvr and pleasure of en- terlaining such a guest as yourself.” 10 cComiciaoo