Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 158: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASUER. qualification o&n you offer for such an avowal? I do not even know that it is necessary to waste any more time upon the proceedings ——” “I beseech your Excellancy to hear what this lady has to say,” interposed Signor Palmas, now standing forward, “And pray who is the lady ?” demanded Geno- ral Germini. “Is she a witness in the caso? If so, she Bas of course a right to speak. But whe ia she, I repeat ?” “I am the Countess of Milazao,” said Luuia, throwing back the weil which had hitherto con- cealed> her countemance—~#0 beautiful, but Oh! so “The Countess of Milagso ?”’ exclaimed General Germini. “Why, surely that name is familiar to me ina way but little creditable to your lady- ship P” “Yea—I at onee admit to your Excellency,” said the Countess, “ that I was amongst the con- spiratora; and therefore no-one can better explain how much the Count of Camerino was concerned in those proceedings-————”’ “ But how is it that your ladyship is at large ?” demanded Germini, in a stern voice. Here the military seeretary whispered a few words tu the General, and placed a aper before him. Then the lieutenant who had taken Charles into custody, wae beckoned to the head of the table; and he conversed in a low tone with the General for a few minutes. “Ob, now I understand!” gaid Germini, at length speaking aloud. “The Countess di Mi- lazzu saved herself by seising upon a particular opportunity. And prey, signora, what evidenee have you to give against the prisoner? I am glad tu see that you are disposed to demonstrate a sense of gratitude towards the government of his Royal Highuees, the Grand Duke, for the signal tavour which under circumstanees you have been enabled to accure usto yoursélf—g——’’ “Your Exoellency is mistaken,” said Lucia, advancing towards tho table with a firm bat modest demeanour. “I am not about to give evidence against the prisoner, but entirely in.bis favour. Iam about to show that-———” “ Stop, signora —astop, if you please!” inter. rupted General Germini, waving his handin a peremptory manner: then having whispered for a few instants with the officers who eat un hia right hand, he went on to observe, “The tribunal is entirely of opinion that you cannot be beord as a witness in this case. You acknowledge yourself to have been an atcomplice—you are only saved by an accident from standing by the pris.nuer’s side ; and therefore it would be monstrous tu let your ladyship come forward ae a partisan wit- nesge——’? “But in the namo of justice,” cried Lucia, joining her hands entreatingly, “I implore and beseech your Ezcellency———” “Silence, signora! If you compel,me to speak with greater sternness,” continued Germini, “than : I could wish to adrct stewards one of yuur sex | ~—- particularlvgtine of your rank — it will be your own fault. You «re an. sccomplice. and | cannot tt heard. It would be quite d:!»rent if your sister the Princess, who gavo the iforma- . tion, were to make her appearance as & witaces. | We should.kear her at onee.” 848 The door was at the moment opening : a veiled lady entered—and she said, “The Princess is ere.” Charles started for a montent: then he re. sumed his look of calm dignity. The Countess o/ Milazzo gazed at her sister with the acutest aus pense; and the good-hearted Palmas trembled with the seme feoling. “Where is the Princess?” inquired Genera Germini. “T am the Princess of Spartivento;”—and the veil was thrown back from Bianca’s countenance. “Tam she who gave the information which mado the Count of Camerino a prisoner.” The Princess advanced towards the table: but she did not for a moment settle ber.looks upon our hero. With a single glance she had on the first instanee embraced the entire scene; and then her regards were riveted only on the General. She was as pale as marble: but those who had never agen her before, were struck with that handsome countenance, as they had previously been with the more delicate loveliness of Lucia’s face. “I come to tell your Excellency,” said the Princess, “that this young nobleman ”—and she pointed to De Vere without locking at him— “entered not of his own aceord into the band of conspiraters——”’ “ With all this we have nothing to do,” inter- rupted General Germini. “On the contrary,” exclaimed the Princess, “you have everything to do with it! The prisoner was not a willing agent —-—” : “Tf your Highness has naught more to tell us,” again interrupted the General, “than to speak in extenuation of the captive, it ia a more waste of words and time. It ie sufficient for us to know that he was amongst the conspiratora. Woe do not care to investigate how he came to be of the number.” “ But if utterly against his will he were drawn into the affair,” exclaimed Biance, in a vehement and impassioned tone,—“ if all he did can be roved to have been under sternest eompulsion— it would be monstrous—Qh! it wauld be monstrous toa degree for you to doom that young man to death on such grounds! No, no! you could not do it! There is justice in Italy! there is mercy even in a military tribunal! Remember, it is 9 human life that is at stake! Ye are men—ye are not monsters! The prisoner was no willing traitor to an Italian Prince. Listen—I beseech you, listen! I implore you to hear me while I tell you how the young Hoglishman came amonget us!” The Princess had continued speaking with such an exceeding vehemence that General Germini had vainly attempted to interrupt her. But, now, as for a moment she paused through absolute want of breath, he raised his voice and said in a perewptory manner, “I will hear no more! all this i: irrele- vant! Your Highness must comprebend that if you persist in taking up our time, we shall be compelled to order the ushers to remove you. You and your sister ought to be glad to think that you yourselves have escaped condign punishment, and not come -hither to interfere with the solemn march of juatiee.” Bianea staggered back towards a seat, and sank MICLO© S CO CO