Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 157: what you’re looking at

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$49 © My God! what P” exclaimed Voitura. “ But I will go and see how matters progress-——I will make inquiries, Ina short time I will return to your Highness. Ah! by the bye, I ought to mention that Raguso and Speazi are also beneath this roof; and as we all bear feigned names here, your Highness must be cautious if on happening ¢o meet them-———"” “T shall not leave this room until your return,” interrupted Bianca, “It will be better not. De. part, signor !—learn what you oan, end come back |” - Voitura hurried away. He was not more than half-an-hour absent; but this interval appeared to be a perfect age to the Prineess. All her formor firmness and self-possession appeared to have aban: doned her. She was full of anxiety and agitation, as well as under the influence of an acute and poignant nervousness. The course of events in few short days had achieved a wondrous alteration in reapect to the Princess. Signor Voitura returned; and it was in a state of breathless suspense that Bianca demanded, “What news? But Ah! I need not ask you! I see by your countenance that the very worst is to be apprehended !” ‘The very worst!” responded Voitura gloomily. ' “The hours of the unfortunate young Englishman are assuredly numbered !” The Princess gave vent to a half subdued shriek ; end she clasped her hands with an ineffable an- guish : then exorcising some sudden power of con- trol over herself, she asked in a quick hoarse voice, * ‘What have you learnt P” “The Tuscan Government has acted with the most extraordinary rapidity,” replied Voitura, “in all the proceedings which it is now taking. It bas issued summary orders to overy-military oom- mandant, to try by court-martial all persons who may be denounced as belonging to the late corps of invasion; and capital punishment is to follow within twonty-four hours after conviction. These mandates are, I repeat, peremptoryt and no re- gard is to be paid to the rank of any persons who may be brought before the military tribunals. Now your Highness krfbws the worst !” “But how will they be enabled to convict the young Count P” ejaculated the Princess, catching at the first straw of hope which seemed to be floating past her. “There will be no evi- dence-———-”” “Rely not on such a slender reed as that,” inter. rupted Voitura, “Depend upon it, sufficient evi- dence will be produced!” .. “When is the trial to take place?” aeked Binnce, with impatience. “It is now commencing,” answered Voitura, looking at his watch. * Where ?” demanded the Princess. At the Town Hall. General Germini, the woilitary commandant at Sienns, is a man of a gevere and stern dispusition—<cruel and overbear- ing—and by no means scrupulous in straining a point or two with a view to effect a particular purpose, I think it better to tell your Highness all this to prevent you from misleading yourself with any vainly conceived hope. Alas! in plain | terms it is my conviction that the doom of the young Englishman is eeated |” The Princess covered her face with her hands | AGNES; OR, BRAUTY AWD PLEASURE. foe a few: monventa, and sebbed audibly: : ther hastily wiping away her tears, she ejecudated, “J will go and do all J can to save him !” The scene now shifts to a room in the Town Hall at Sienna, There, at the head of a table, sat General Germini, in his full uniform ; and before him was his. eosked bat with green plames. He was nearly seventy years of age; and he carried in his countenanee a complete corroboration ol the description whieh Voitura had given ‘of his character. On his right ast a Oolonel, a Major, and two Oaptaing, belonging to the regiments stationed at Sienna. On his lefé hand was his military secretary ; and next to him sat two offi- cersiof the General’s Staff. ' At the opposite ond of the table—which was a long one-stood our young hero, in the custody of the lieutenant and two of the soldiers who had brought him from hie mansion during the past night.. His countenance was pale, but firm and collected: its expression showed the natural dauntleseness of his disposition. Yet there was nothing of bravado in his looks,~only a manly dignity, the result of conscious innocence. A little apart sat an elderly gentleman and a veiled lady. These were Signor Palmas and the Countess di Mileszo. Neder the door stood some half-dozen persons, who were more or less officially connected with the proceedings: bué the military tribunal was not considered to be an open court; and thus the public generally were not admitted. A great crowd had however collected in front of the Town Hall; for rumour had quickly spread how no less a personage than a Count was about to be placed on bis trial; and it was reported likewise that he was an Englishman — how he was young and exceedingly handsome—and how there had been many romantic circumstances connected with hie accession to the Camerino title and estates. No wonder, therefore, that the present proceedings should be producing the greatest excitement, and that such crowds should have collected, and be still increasing in the neighbourhood of the Town Hall. “TY see by the procés-verbal which is placed be- fore me,” began General Germini, thus opening the investigation, “that the prisoner bears the title of the Count of Camerino, and that he is aecused of having taken a part in tho invasion of his Royal Highness’s city of Leghorn, in the morn- ing of the 30th of November. How say you, my Lord Count, do you plead guilty to the acou- gation P” “Permit me to give your Excellency a few explanations,” said our. hero, in a firm tone. IT only want a plain and direet answer to the question which I have put,” responded Germini. “Tho accusation charges you, my lord, with having been amongst the persons who some four or five days back made a landing at the city of Leghorn. Do you plead guilty to the charge ?” “It is a question whichel eaunot answer with a simple yes or #0,” rejoined ourbero. “I must exe plain———” *No—you cannot-at this.shage of the proceed- ings, be permitted to make a spe. You must APwyou guilty first of all answor the question. or not guilty ?” ‘It is true that I wae with the invader,” said Charles; “ putu——” “ Enough! enangh!” cried the General. “ What (ia) cComicboo SS C©