Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 155: what you’re looking at

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

$46 “ Brinoess,” said our hero, turning with # cold severe louk towards Bianca, who was all pale and trembling, “you will permit this offiger with a couple of his men to penetrate into your boudoir ?” —then, without waiting fora reply, Charlee whis- pered a few hurried words of instruction in the var of the lieutenant. This functionary iseued from the epartment, ac companied by two of his soldiere; and as the door closed behind them the Princess threw herself at the feet of Charlies and her sister, exclaiming in the wildest tone of passionate entreaty, “ Pardon! pardon !” Our hero turned away in cold disdain for a mo- ment from the woman whom he knew to be so profoundly steeped in crime: but the next in- stant recoilecting that it was on his account that ber first deed of turpitude was perpetrated, he bent a look of pity upon her, and said, “I forgive you, even though it be my life that you are now taking ! Bat depart, and let me see your face no more !” By this time several of the domestics had made their way to the apartment, and were testifying by unmistakable signe their deep sorrow at the calamity which bed overtaken the young master whom they already loved although they knew so little of him. Charles beckoned Fiorello to ad- vance: end he eaid, “ Let this lady be supplied with any means of conveyance which she may prefer from this place.” The Princess, overwhelmed with grief and bumi- liation, burst into tears when she received that aeeurancé of forgiveness from the lips of the generous-hearted Charles; and rising up from her suppliant posture, she threw herself into the arms of her sister, murmuring, ‘“O Lucia! can you sleo forgive meP—is if possible that you can repeat the magnavimous words which have igsued ‘rom Ats mouth P” “Yes, unbappy sister—I can forgive you, be- xause he has pardoned you,” replied Lucia, adown whose pale cheeka the tears were also streaming. You have injured me with your suspicions — in- jur.d him likewise. It is true that I love him,” ‘ontinued the Countess, in a voice that was sudible only to the ears of Charles: “and ina moment of mingled error and infatuation I avowed ny love: bat he told me that his beart was de- roted to another! Then I promised to'think of sim only as a friend-and he bestowed the kiss of riendship upon me.” “Ob, how fearfully have I been blinded !” moaned the wretched Princess, who had just re- eived the explanation of the scene which she be- beld in the garden. “ Pity me, Lucia! I am half mad! But I must leave you !—not another moment ought I to tarry beneath this roof! But pou will remain with him, dear Lucia? I am not | ealous nor envious now! My God! sured of those morbid and distorted passions! You will be unto him as a friend—as a sister ! Farewell, Lacie.” With these words the Princess of Spartivento I am fully shed from the drawing-room; and Siguor Palmas approaching the Coyntess di Milazzo, said, * Alas, signora, your unbappy sister hae worked \o emall degree of mischief here |” But Lucia was sobbing and weeping too bit. erly to be enabled to give any answer; and ina AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEALURE. * few minutes the livutenant came hurrying beck to the apartment, exclaiming, “It is all right ! La Dulfina is in custody !}” “And the Countess di Milaszo, who gave the information, is therefore free P” said our hero. “ Yeo,” replied the lieutenant. “TI will take it “upon myself to say, that her ladyship say proceed whitherecever she thinks St ; and i will presently make a suitable report to the proper authoritize.” “ And whither am I to be removed ?” inquired Charles. “To Sienna, my lord,” was the response. “ And with your consent we will set off with. the least possible delay. Wheat means of conveyance have you at the mansion ?’ “There are several equipages,” answered our hero, “Good, my lord,” pursued the lieutenant. “Then perhaps you will give the requisite in‘ structions to have them got in readiness; and you would oblige me if you could so manage that I might take that wretched woman La Dolfina with us as far as Sienna, whence no doubt she will be removed to Florence to take her trial.” Our hero quickly gave the necessary orders; and a travelling carriage as well as a smaller vebicle were son in readiness. “T shall accompany your lordship,” said Sig- nor Palmas. ‘“I may be of some service to you.” “And I aleo,” added Lucia: then, glancing to- wards the worthy notary, she said, while a mudest blush flitted across her cheeks, “ Under your pater- nal protection, Signor Palmas, I may travel with- out the chance of provoking the tongue of scandal to whisper aught against my good name.” “The tongue of scandal will never dare,” said the notary, “to epeak ill of one who is thus con- siderate for her own reputation.” The young Count of Camerino, the Countess di Milazzo, Signor Palmas, anf the lieutenant took their seats inside the travelling carriage: the officer preferred thie mode .of accomplishing the journey, and with the permission of Charles he left bie horee in the stables of the mansion. La Dolfina wae placed in the other vehicle; and the eoldiers rode by the side of both. The two equipages went away; and a few minutes afterwards a third was driven round to the front of the mansion. Then the Princess of Spartivento~who had concealed herself amidat the evergreens at a short distance—came forth from her hiding place, and took her seat in the carriage that was prepared for her. The domes- tics were barely civil to her; and they showed by their demeanour the detestation they felt for her conduct in giving information against their young master. . “Where is the carriage to be driven, signora P” inquired the footman who had just closed the door of the vehicle, “Whither do they purpose to take his lord- ship P” asked the Princess. “To Sienna P” was the.aurt reply. “Then I also will go to Sienni, 4 she rejoined ; and as she threw herself back in the'sarriage, she murmured, “ Who can tell but that I may yet be enabled to undo some of the tremendous \nischicf that I have done? At all events, if de sh wld die, I swear that I will not survive him: but I im- cComiclbookks. com