Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 177: what you’re looking at

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862 * Besides,” added Raguso, “did he not kill our friend Columella P” “Tt was only in self-defence,” urged Voitura. “‘T beheld the transaction. Nothing could be more gallant—nothing could be more justifiable shay the Englishman’s conduct !” “« By all the saints!” cried Raguao, “ this matter ‘soon brought to an issue! Here we are, If two vote that the correspondence is to be given up in order to sayé De Vere’s life, in the name of heaven let it be ‘q it But if on the other hand there is a majority fér keeping the correspondence to serve some better purpose, and perhaps some day save ‘ worthier life—then let that be the decision. I "for ‘one vote in the latter aense.” “ And I also!” ejaculated Gpozzi. “Good! the thing is sett{ed,” said Raguso; ‘and you, Voitura, like @ godd' pitizen and faithful brother, must abide by the: ‘edition. Spezzi and I are off to the D'Orco ruing at‘once.” Stefano Yoitura was confounded by the de- cision thus arrived at on the ‘part of his two com- panions. Fe dig not ‘dare Givpute it; for it was one of the fundamenta} laws of the Secret Society that wherever -therd' wete any differences of opinion, the mattér’ ‘at jssae should be left to the vote. Not only, therefore, did Voitura find him- self compélled to yield ‘to the decision thus ren- dered—but ‘he “dared not fe-dpen the subject or plead any farther’ on thd young Count of Came- rino’s behalf; ang thus he Prdecroured to yeil his bitter disappointment and grief beneath a look of calmness and self-pomsedsion. “Do you mean ta come with us at once, VoituraP” asked Reguao: “or shall you join us presently P’ “Tshall join you presently,” was the response. “I should like to remain at Sienna and learn what hae transpired at the trial.” “That is politic enough,” interjected Raguso. “Now, friend Spezzi, let us at once make our pre- parations for departure.” Voitura quitted his ¢wo companions, and ro. turned to the apartment of the Princegs, who ex- pected to see him enter it with the tin case in his hand. An expression of disappointment fiitted over her countenance; as she said, “I suppose they have not returned yet P® “ Yes—they have returned,” answered Voitura; ‘but they will not consent to the salvation of De Vore’s life.” “ This is abominable ! this is infamous!’ ejacu- lated the Princess,’ “ Let me go to than-———” “It is useless, signora,” interrupted Stefano. Your Highness knows Raguso wel: he is ob- stinate as a mule when he has formed a particular Opinion. Then, as for Spezzi, he adheres with a marvellous tenacity to all the rules of the Secret Society, aud he maintains them with the most scrupulous jealousy, Well then, the matter has juet been decided by the-vote; and your Highness may therefore guosa what chance there is of the decision being revoked or altered.” The Prineess threw herself upon a seat; and for some minutes she reflected with a painfulness and a poignancy of feoling which was only too visible upon her countenance. Voitura also gave way to his meditations; and they were almost as distracting as those of Bianca herself. may three of us. AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. “Tf we do not save this young man,” exclaimed the Princess, suddenly starting up from her seat, “ we shall be murderers, and doubly accused {” “ Wretched woman!” said Voitura, in a menacing voice ; “it is you who have implicated mp in this atrocity, against which my soul revolts! sooner give my own head to the execu- tidner; of stand up before an array of musketeers, thai shat « paje of the young man’s head should be’ injured or heayen’s sake, do not upbraid me, signor!”” said*the Princess entreatingly. “God knows Iam already miserable enough? What is to be done? ‘Oh, I thought from your bilet that your were sure of being enabled to save him— and therefore, as J jeft the tribunal, E hastily whispered the words, '* Fhere is hope,’ in his ears. — What will he ‘think ‘ ‘when he finds this hope unfulfilled ? that T Have’ ‘éarried my cruelty to the moat exquisite degree’ of ‘ tefinement—that I am his bitterest enenif—é dthat my endeavour to speak on his behalf in*the ‘preserice of his judge, wasa mere pretext—an evasion—-a subterfuge of some kind or another }” *T know not what is to be dene,” aaid Voitura with a bewildered air: “ but by all the saints in the calendar, I swear that I will not desert this young Englishman so jong as there shall bea chance cf saving him! I will go and ascertain, if possible, when the sentence is to be executed ——” “T heard General Germini proclaim, ere I left the court,” said the Princess, “ that the execution of the sentence will not take place until to-morrow at daybreak.” “Ab, then we have yet many hours before us!” exclaimed Voitura, the light of hope animating his countenance. “ I will go and survey the prison in which he is conflned———I will seo if by any good chance there should be a member of the Society amongst the gaolers, tho suldiers, or the sbirri who may have him in their custody——In a word, I will leave no stone unturned that may possibly lead to the result which is now so much to be desired !” Voitura quitted the room; and the Princess re- mained alone~or rather, we may say, in the com- panionship of her painful reflections. Thus up- wards of an hour passed, at the expiration of which interval the dour opened, and the Countess di Milazzo entered the apartment. CHAPTER LXIV. THE CONVENT.—THE RUINS, Tx Princess started up from her seat, exclaiming, ‘Lucia! is it possible? Oh, you have not re- nounced me altogether! You have still some love left for your unhappy sister |” “TI cannot forget that you are my sister!” re. plied the Cuuntess, as she opened her arms to receive the Princess, who precipitated herself into them. “ Ah, weep, Bianca! weep!—for you have ndeed done an immens.ty of evil |” “O God ! I know it, Lucia! I know i¢ !” groaned the unhappy woman: “but I am penitent ! Never was remorse so sincere !” “I know, sister—-yes, I knew it!” replied the ual COmicboooks CO