Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 179: what you’re looking at

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

26 AGNES; OB, DEAUTY AND PLEASURE acigar. Tbe Hon. Mrs. Hardress, whom Ciprina a mock-marriago—and that it was not your fault if had known as Cicely Neale, looked out of the you had been thus betrayed. This gave a com- carriago-window as Sir Alexander Holcroft has- plete turn in your favour, for Mrs. Hardress im- tened forward to speak to her. There was an- mediately appeared to recollect certain pieces of other lady inside the carriage; and Ciprina had no intelligence which she had at different times re- doubt that this was Josephive Hardress, of whose cvived from your cousin Agnes.” beauty Carlotta Belluno bad spoken ju such high ‘ And those pieces of intelligence P” inquired terms, At firat Hardres: wuerely looked round, Floribel, quickly. uudded, and went on smoking hie cigar: butina “ That after soparating from Clifford, you had few minutes he seemed tu grow interested in the rotired into sume seclusion, and were loading a conversation, whatever ity nature might be. At perfectly pure, correct, and honourable life—and vength Sir Alexander Holcroft retreated from the that aftor all there wae really nothing bad known travelling-carriage, re-entered the tavern, and as- against you. ThenI myself threw in a few words cended to the parlour where he had left Cipriua. —the beautiful Josephine grew much interested in “My dear madam,” he said, with a balf- your behalf—indeed she alsv spoko in your favour goudpatured, half-familier smile of triumph, “the —-and the climax was that a hearty invitation was Hon. Hector and Mrs. Hurdross, together with sent for you to join the party.” the Ton. Mies Josephine, send you their compli- * Under these circumstances, I can no longer ments through me, and beg that you will tuke a hesitate,’ rejoined Ciprina. “ It is indeed an im- place in their travelling-carriage.” mense advantage to travel under such protection ; “ You do not mean this, Sir Alexander!” eja-| and you have conferred an additional boon upon | culated Ciprina in amazement. | me.” “IT mean it, my dear madam. ItisasI tell; Sir Alexander Holeroft sat-down at the table, you.” land speedily filled up one of tho passport-furms “ But you must havo made some misreprosen- | which ho carried about with him. He then, tation! You must bave forgotten that they! in a delicate manner, spoke of money-affairs,— know me !” cried the young lady. | whereupon Ciprina said, “I have in the hands of a “ T have made no mierepresentation—and I have | Florence banker a very considerable portion of the forgotten nothing. I simply told them,” continued; amount which [ received from your bounty a Sir Alexander Houlcroft, “that Miss Lister I| twelvomonth bick. I have thorefore no need of knew not what other name to give you ——~ was further funds—though you rightly conjectured here, most avxious to get to Florence, having that 1 am penniless at this moment; for every- escaped by extraordinary means vut of the fortreas thing of value which I had about me was taken by of Bagno.”’ the officials of Bagno Castle.” ‘But in one word, Sir Alexander, understand ‘In that case,” replied Sir Alexander, “ you we!” ejaculated Ciprina. © Mrs. Hardreas was a| must permit me to be your banker fur your imme- Miss Neale—and she knuws me well. The Hon. | diate wants; because no one cau tell what may Hector Harcirese used at one time to visit at tho: happen on the road.” house where 1] dwelt: he likewise knows me.| He hastily fulded up in tho passport a liberal They both know that I fled with Theodore Clif-} sum in gold and bank-notes. He then exclaimed, ford; and of course they have by this time told} with a sudden peal of hearty merriment, “ By the same to their sister Jvsepline, even if she; heaven! you bear abuut you cortain indications of were not previously acquainted with the circum- the mode of your escapo!—in vulgar parlance, stanco.”’ . patches of flour upon your clothes;—and these “All thig is @wery likely and very true,”” an- ust be taken off.” swored Holcroft : © but those two ladies and that By means of his kerchief he speedily accom. gentleman will troat you with the utmost courtesy | plished his object; and looking forth from the and distinction, Now, you are a woman of the} window, he said, “ ‘Tne pust-horses are changed— world—I will tell you buw the game stands —an | | the carriage is in readiness.” then you can play your cards according to your ‘“ Beforo we separate, Sir Alexander IJolcroft,” own inclination,” said Ciprina, in a voice that was full of emotion, “Ah! if you will be explicit,” said Ciprina, “I: “permit me to thank you moat sincerely for the ehail know how to act !” | numerous kindnesscs you have now rendered me witbin the brief space of two hours. But Ab! sumed the Baronet, “I went out and epoke to the} let me plead onco more on behalf of that simple. cecapants, I then began telling a long story to! minded creature Carlotta !—let me breathe one Mrs. Hardress—Low a fellow-countrywoman of | parting word to conjure you ” her's found herselt in certain perplexities and em- ‘Madam,” interrupted the Baronet coldly, barrassmente—and how it was a matter of lifeand “this is my affair. I know not in what position,” death for her tu get on without delay t» Florence. he went on to say in bis wouted tone of courteous I then spoke of Bagno and the escape; and having familiarity, “your little stratagem at the castle thoroughly enlisted the attention and interest of may bave left the poor girl—or whether I shall be the two Indies, | ph ioned your pame—Floribel enabled to make any fresh arrangements. But, Lister. ‘ue courffenance of Mrs. Hardress be- however this may be, I beg that you will leave me came clouded : that of Josephine alowed that she to my own business in consideration of the geal knew who you were. 1 thought the point was which J have shown} in furthering your interests. lost,—when, to my surprise, Hardress turned And now permit me to hand you down to the car- round upon the box, declaring that you were more riage.” to be pitied than blamed—that you had been in. Cuprina dared not plead any further on Ca wumously used by Cliffora through the medium of | lotia’s bebaif ; aud she forthwith acevsmpanied “When the carriage drove up to the door,” re- COnniclboockks CO