Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 14: what you’re looking at

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868 pot forget my oath; and even the tenderest feel- ings of kinship and the closest ties dwindle into naught when compared with the sense of all the patriotic devotion I owe to my native land.” * And you see, my friends,” said Stefano Voi- tura, “ that it is no¢ by mere words her Highness proves this devotednesa on her part. She was juet now beyond all danger —sbe was exempt from all the consequences of past incidents—she might have returned to Sardinie, to occupy once more her splendid palace at Turin, and plunge into all the pleasures which her vast fortune would enable her to enjoy. Butno! Her High- ness comes amongst us again!——she takes the step which once more imperile her!—she is again in league with conspirators, asthe tyrants dare to designate us!” “You say so many kind things concerning me,” remarked the Princess, with a smile, “that I shall begin to wonder by what possible means I may justify all these compliments, But why am I now amongst you once more? I¢ is that we may con- sult upon the plans which ought next to be adopted.” ‘ Having thus eo far succeeded in giving to the discourse that gloss which entirely suited their own views, Stefano Voitura and the Princess proceeded to deliberate with Raguso and Spezzi in a man- ner which seemed to proclaim them to be devoted heart and soul to the grand object as heretofore. Time passed on ; and when the conversation began to exhaust ite most serious topics, Raguso proposed that they should sup. “The offer will be agreeable enough, if you possess the materials,” answered Voitura. “I was thinking, as I came hither with ber Highness, whetber you had been careful to make provision of this nature~or whether you in any way relied upon me P” ° “We did not rely upon you,” answered Raguso, “because you did not specify the hour at which we might expect you. We therefore took care of ourselves—as Spezzi will full soon proceed to con- vince you.” Thus speaking, he turned the lantern in a par- ticular direction ; and Spezzi, penetrating fartber into the vault, produced from a niche—or rather from a hollow place formed by the falling away of some of the brickwork—a small Jeathern port- manteau, or haversack, of the description and di- mensions such as pedestrian tourists on the Conti- nent are frequently in the habit of using. It con- tained changee of linen and toilet necessaries in one compartment: but from another certain comestibles were forthcoming, in the shape of a meat-pie, some biscuits, dried fruite, a flask of spirits, and another of wine, “You have indeed taken care to provision the garrison,” said Voitura. “I confess that when you first mentioned tho name of supper, I flung a glance around the cheerless place, wondering whether you were in jest—and if not, whence the provender was to display itself.” “Well, you see, my friend,” answered Raguso, | “even a miserable half-exposed cellar like this has its conveniences when persons choose to look out for them. At the extremity—where tho vault is perfectly free from damp—there is a bed of dried leaves; for Spezzi and I were not idle during the hours that we were alone together. AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. Presently we will spread our mantles; and her Highness may repose herself in such comfort as these preparations can afford, and in such security as the arms of three determined men may be enabled to guarantee.” ‘And now I bethink me,” said Voitura, “ where have you disposed of the casket——the iron box I mean—containing those valuable lotters P" “I will show you,” answered Raguso ; and taking up the lantern, he displayed a little niche which he himself had just now made in the wall, by removing a portion of the masonry. I¢ was at a height of about a couple of feet from the floor of the cellar ; and as Raguso, while seated on the ground, had been resting his back egainst the wall, his shoulders concealed that place wherein the casket was deposited. “If we sleep at all to-night,” he said, “ I shall slumber in the same position in which I have been sitting. The slightest touch will in that case awaken me;-and thus if you, my friends, were to sink inte the profoundest slumber, no one could stealthily carry off that box—supposing, I mean, that any lurking thief found hie way bither, with a certain for@mowledge and a particular in- tent in bis mind.” “ Oh, but we will take our turns,” said Voitura, “in keeping Watch throughout the night.” The Jittle party now addressed themselves to the provender that was furnished for the supper ; and Voitura purposely suggested that the flask of wine should be left for the exclusive use of the Princess. The proposal was as a matter of course immediately assented to by Raguso and Spezzi~ to whom Voitura took care to leave the flask of spirite; for on each occasion when he applied it to his lips, he merely pretended to drink, but did not in reality suffer a drop to pass down his throat. We should add that both himself and the Princess continued to talk in a strain consistent with the idea of the most uncompromising devotion towards ‘the good cause.” ° Soon after the supper was disposed of, Voitura, addressing himeelf to the Princess, said, “ You will perhaps do well, signora, to lie down and take a little rest : for it is impossible to foresee what fatigues may await us for the morrow.” The Princess comprehended that Stefano must have a motive for the suggestion ; and sho there- fore replied, “I will folluw your well-meant counsel.” “Let me give your Highness my cloak,” Voitura hastened to observe. “Here! this way, signora |” “Light them with the lantern, Spezzi,” said Raguso. ** Here is indeed a pile of leaves !” exclaimed Voitura ; then the next moment he whispered in Bianca’s ear, “ Watch well! If the worst ensue, Spezzi will be your opponent !— Here ia the cloak, signora,” he at once added audibly. The Princess received the mantle, which she threw upon the bed of leaves; while Voitura and Spezzi returned with the lantern towards tho en- trance of the vault. ‘ “And now,” said Voitura, “ if ye, my friends, seem inclined to slumber, I will take the first turn as sentinel.” “I know not how it is,” said Signor Spezzi ; “but whether I took more than my share of the ad oO MIKGOO CO S CO