Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 172: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. “Yes—that’s the only thing!” ejaculated the froom. . Upstairs went the policeman and John, followed by the master of the hotel and all the waiters in addition to the one who had previously been acting in the business. The officer knocked at the door : there was no answer. He then put bis shoulder against it, and forced it open. What a spectacle met the eyes of those whose looks were now plunged into the apartment! For there—half re- clining in a large arm-chair— was the quadroon, almost as beautiful in death as in life,—her arms lying around the form of her husband, whose head vas pillowed upon her bosom. And both were ead ! CHAPTER LX&III. SIENKA. WE now again ahift the scene to the land of Italy; and we must return to the city of Sienna, where we left our hero Charles De Vere under sentence of death. The official residence of General Germini was in the Great Square, and precisely opposite to the Town Hall. He had long been a widower : but he possessed two daughters, who were young and hand- some, and who bore the sweet Christian names of Laura and Mirtilla. Tho former had dark hair and an Italian brunette complexion: the latter had light brown hair and a Saxon complexion of purest white and red. But she possessed a pair of large dark Italian eyes, which gave a certain peculiarity to her style of beauty, rendering it however all the more interesting. These young ladies bore not the slightest resemblance to their father in character or disposition; for inasmuch as he was stern, cruel, and unscrupulous, they were full of humanity and cpmpassion, and gifted with all the sweetest and softest attributes of their Bex. On hearing that a young Count, had been brought to Sienna, and was to undergo his trial before their father for an alleged complicity in the late treasonable attempt upon Leghorn, Laura and Mirtilla became much interested in the pri- soner, They asked a great mpny questions con- cerning him; and they heard sufficient to enhance that feeling of interest with which they were alreacy inspired. They might, if they had chosen, have availed themselves of their father’s autho- rity to obtain admission into the apartment where the trial took place: but a certain proper delicacy of feeling prevented them from doing this; and they therefore contented themselves with sitting bebind the curtain of their chamber-window to obtain a view of the unfortunate young Count of Camerino as he was conducted to and from the Town Hall. They saw him as he was being led thither; and both were immediately struck with his appearance—that ie to say, their compassionate interest was ougpirmed and strengthened on his behalf; but we do not mean it to be inferred that they all in a moment caught up a more tender sentiment into their hearts; for we may inciden- tally observe that both Laura and Mirtilla were affianced to two handsome young Italian officers 857 of rank, whom they dearly loved, and who were in a short time to lead them to the alter. ‘ “ How shocking,” said Laura, when Charles had passed away from the view and had been conducted into the Town Hall,—“ how shocking to think that one so young, so handsome, and so elegant should have got himself into such a fearful dilemma !”” “And, Oh!” said tho gentle Mirtilla, with a visible shudder, “to think that our own father should be compelled to pass sentence of death, per- haps, on such a young gentleman !” “ Alas! I foar,” observed Leura, “that if this sentence be pronounced, it will be carried into exe- cution: for our father is very severe in everything that pertains to bis military duties.” “And besidos,” added Mirtilla, “the instruo- tions which he has received from the Government allow of no discretionary power on his part.. Let us hope, dear sister, that matters may turn out better than common report seems to predicate.” A couple of hours passed, during which Laura and Mirtilla remained at the window speculating upon the result of the trial, and constantly express ing their sincere and generous hopes tha¢ the handsome young Count of Camerino would leave the tribunal acquitted and triumphant. Presently the sounds of some equipage approaching at a very rapid rate along a neighbouring street, reached the ears of the young ladies; and they soon beheld the crowd making way for the coming vebicle. It was a postchaise: and as it stopped in the middle of the Square, the sisters could discern that it only contained one occupant—and this was a lady. Sho was asking questions of the persons who were near- est to the chaise; and though the sisters were too far off to see the effect which the answers produced upon her, yet they could not help fancying that the presence of the lady there was in some way con~- nected with the trial that was in progress. “ Ab! what has happened ?” suddenly ejaculated Laura. “ They open the door of the chaise!” cried Mir. tilla. “See! that gentleman springs into the vehicle!” * “ They are lifting her out! Poor lady! she has evidently fainted |” “Decidedly she must be connected with the un- fortuuate young Count!—Ah! it was to give her air that they lifted her out of the chaise !” And now there seems to be a sort of bewilder- ment amongst the people who are surrounding her ! I do believe,’’ continued Laura, “the poor gentle. woman is in a dangerous state, and they are at a loss what to do with ber or whither to convey her !” “Ab, poor creature!” added Mirtilla: “ only conceive if she be the mother or sister of the pri- soner-———-or his betrothed, Laura !" “Ab, his betrothed, Mirtilla! Think of what we should feel if-——” ; “Laura dearest!” interjected the younger sister, “ let ue send and offer to receive that poor lady into the house !” Laura nodded an assent: the sisters glided down to the drawing-room, rang the bell, and issued their instructions. The old housekeeper herself, who was a good-tempered woman, undertook to go forth on the charitable errand which the Gene- ral’s daughters suggested; and she evon found that the humane instincts of thoze amiable dam- oO COMmicboe® SS C©