Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 150: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES ; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE, replied cur hero, maintaining the utiavet cowpu- sure of countenance, “ Well, wy lord,” resumed the officer “ But, Ly the bye, I ought to ask your lordship’s pardon for detaining you out here in the cold air ” “Not at all. You have doubtless a duty to per- form,’ aaid the young Count. “ Proceed.” “ My explanations shall soun be given,” con- tinued tho lieutenant. “ [t ie said that two Pied- montese ladies of rank—a Princess anda Countess —were actually and positively engaged in that af. fair: it iseven believed that they fought, disguised in male apparel —that they esceped, though it is not known bow—for all the information which hae been obtained ig very vaguo indeed upon the point———” “So it would appear, signor,” said our hero, with a smile of good-nature’ affability. ‘You are right, my lord: and therefore you see how meagre the instructions are upoo which I am acting. However, to be brief, it is supposed that the two ladies I speak of have come some- where into this part of the country—and of course the authorities will arrest them if they can catch hold of them.” “ And what, then, do you require of ne, signor P” asked our hero. “Simply, my lord, that you qill give the assur- ance that the two ladies who [ understand arrived on & Visit to your mansion the day before yester. day, early in the morning, are not those of whom I am in search. Indeed, it is a mero matter of form, my lord———” “Of course—I understand it in that light,” in. terjected Charles, with a amile. “And thus, as you have anticipated my answer, perhaps you will alight and partake of some refreshments ?” “ I thank your lordship. A glass of wine here at the entrance, and a dram for each of my men but we have not time to dismount—we must rido on into the town and make our report to the Mayor.” “You shall have refreshments immediately!” exclaimed our hero: and summoning a lacquey, he gave the necessary orders. “ Have you received any description of the personal appearance of tho two ladies P” he proceeded to ask, again addressing himself to the officer. “No, my lord—only that they are supposed to be very handsome. But then so many of the sex answer to this description—God bless their hearts ! that it is ae vague as if a person was told to go out and catch an animal with a tail—and inas- mucb as there are very few animals without tails, it would be difficult to know which particular species was meant. But touching and concerning these Jadies of yours, my lord, you have not yet given me the formal pledge I require, and which as an honourable man you will of course consider as binding as an oath.” “Here are the refreshments!” interjected Charles, who for a fow minutes bad vainly buoyed himeelf up with ¢ e that the business wae quite set at whereas he now fuund it re- opened, an#”a pointed demand made for a formal answer. usied himself to do the honours of the well-}"den tray which the footman had brought out, sd another lacquey was employed in distri- butirg the glasses and handing cakes. $35 * Your wine ita excellent, my lord,” said the officer, as he began sipping a secund glase. “ Waoas with youth, and good lovks, a noble title, « splendid mansion, and such a cellar as this wine is a epecimen of, you have everything to make life buppy. And now my lord, with thanks for your kindness, we will take our departure.” “ Good evening to you, lieutenant,” said our hero. “Iam sorry you cannot remain to drink @ bottle of this wine since you relish it. But good evening.” “Guod evening, my lord——-Ah, I forgot ! Your lords'ip’s assurance, on your sacred word of honour as a geotleman, that those laties ——” “ My cousins,” interjected Charles, “Ah, your lurdsbip’s cousines? Oh, well, if that’s the case, then, (’m sure we need not look here any further for a Sardinian Princess and Countess, Your lordship is an Eaglishman—and of course your cousins are English also. And now once more good evening, my lord.” With these words, and again bestowing a wili- tary salute upon the young nublewan, the lieu- tenant wheeled round his steed and trotted away at the head of his troop; while our bero ascended hastily towards the drawing-room, delighted to tbink that he had settled the busincas so cumforte ably, by the mere accidental interjection of the words “ my cousins,” and without being compelled tu have recourse to a fulsehoud. CHAPTER LIX. THE PIHIAL. THE young Count related everything that had passed between himself and the officer; and the fine eyes of Lucia di Milazzo eparklod with joy when she learnt how cowpletely all suapicion had been averted from our hero bimeelf. The Princess perceived that look; and again dic the reptile of jealousy lift up its bead io hes heart. “But now,” exclaimed Lucia, “it isour bounden duty, my dear sister, to leave this house with the least possible delay! It is clear envugh that al present no idea exists that hia lordship the Count could have had any concern in the enterprise against Leghorn: but if we remain here——" “Atall events we will not discuss the subject pow,” interrupted Charles, with a smile. “ Her Wighness and your ladyship are safe beneath my rouf.” “To be sure!” exclaimed Signor Palmas; “all the more safe on account of thie very visit which has just been paid! The offiver will go and make such a report in the town as sball render the idew ridiculous that the Sardinian Princess and Countess could ba harboured within these walla. And do permit me, my dear signora,” proceeded the worthy old gentleman, oow specially addreas- ing himself to the Countess di Milaszo, “to im- plore you to guard against any sudden oxcitement —that is to say, as much as you possibly can—by maintaining a cuntinuous control over your feel- ings. I saw just now how deadly pale you turned when the officer and his trocp came in sight—then COnniclbooe® nn S