Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 184: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. ~ Phe Marchioness had eunk upon the sofa: she moaned — she writhed convulsively—but she spoke not a word. “Do you know, Lucrezia, that the other night »at your villa,” continued the Minister of Police, “there was for an instant a suspicion flashing across my mind f It was when you were ro- clining in my arms, and wo were conversing on the means of information possessed by the officials of my dopartment. It was quite in an accidental manner that I alluded to the assassination of your page Giulio: then it struck me that the mention of the fact produced upon you an impression which it need not do! Buta moment afterwards 1 banished tho subject from my mind; for the truth is, 1 was under tho fascination of your charme—the fumes of wine were likewise in my brain~—and since that night I have had other things to engage my attention. But now a “Ob, spare me—and saveme !” cried the Mar- chioness, spripging towards Ramvurino—throwing herself upuo her knees—and seizing his band in her own, ® “ Enough, Lucrezia! enough!” said the Minister of Police, “1 did not wish to torture your feel. ings; and as for your personal safety, [ will ensure it! Consent to become my wife — and I will banish or imprison half Florence rather than that a single hair of your head shall be iojured !” Tho struggle had been great in Lucrezia's mind: but it was now over. That struggle was between her love of independence and the control of ber own fortuno on the one hand—and, on the other, a dread of the shackles and casualties of a married state. But sho saw that fearful riske en- vironed her: she saw likewise that she was utterly in the power of an unpriucipled and unscrupulous man. She therefore prepared to make any sacri- tice, however great, rather than peril hor Jife, Yes—it shall be as you say,” she murmured. “Twill accompany you, to the altar. You will shield and protect me, Ramorino—you will ensure my safoty-—~—” ‘1 havo already said it: nuptials shall be private. shail behold our union Pity ’tis that we cannot join our hands within the hour that is passing !” “What! in such hasto?’ criod the Mar. chionoss. ‘Ah! do you mistrust me?—dco you think that I shall fly from my word?” No,” rejoined Ramorino: “you will not do that! Yuu sce, my dear Lucrezia, that you aro Bato in becoming my wife: fur in all Tuscany I alone can protect you under existing circum- stances.” “And now, therefore, lose no time,” urged Lucrezia, “in scattering your sbirri throughout Florence! Let Marcellin be arrestei—nand Ber- nardo—and Antonia ” “ Wush!” said the Minister: proaching the door !” A footman entered, saying, “ Please your Kx- cellency, your presence is required for a few moments.” “T will return immediately, dearest Lucresia,” whispered Kamorino to the Marchioness. “ Re- main here—and fear nothing. Ah, by the bye! befiare I come back to you, I will issue the requi- ate mandates for the arrest of those persons whom you have named,” I now swear it! Our To-morrow morning ‘‘ gome one is ap- 133 The Minister of Police issued from the apart- ment ; and in the passage outside, he said to the servant, “ Who is it that is waiting to see me?” “A priest, my lord,” was the response. ‘A priest P” cjaculated Bamorino, struck with the singularity of the coincidence; and he mut- tered to himself, “This is remarkable! The very thing that I cuuld have most desired !—for the sooner I obtain indisputable power over Lucrezia’s wealth, tho better for my own interests will it be! And by Jupiter! within the hour that is passing shall the nuptial knot be tied!—Where is this priest P”’ he demanded. “T left him in the ante-room of your Excel- lency’s cabinet,” answered the footman. “Good!” said the Minister: and thither he at once proceeded. Ou entering the cabinet, Count Ramorino be- held a palo, interesting, handsome young man—~ clad in the priestly garb—and whose looks were somewhat fatigued and jaded. He rose from his seat as the Minister entered, and made a courteous bow. “Whom have I the pleasure of receiving ? ’ asked Ramorino, somewhat impatiently; for his mind was intent upon having the nuptial benedic. tion pronounced with the least possible delay. “My name is Falconara, my lord,” abswered the young prioat ; “and [ am ono of the military chaplains ia the service of his Highness the Grand Duke.” “Tis well, holy father!” said Ramorino, “ We vill perhaps endeavour to find youa inet better flier.” “If at the outset of my mission to your lord- ship,” said Faleonara, “I bave found favour in your sight, it will indeed be most cheering to my heart.” “Ah! thought the Count; “be comes to ask a favour either fur himself or somebody else !—~ Holy father!” he continued, now speaking audibly; “tranquillize yourself upon that par- ticular point. You shall have what you require. You havo arrived most opportunely: I was on the very point of sending to fetch some minister of the gospel hither—~and you mako your appear- ance |” “Ab, my lord !” cried Falconara, rejoiced at the manner in which his previously dreaded interview with the Minister was progressing; “then my presenco here is most opportune! May 1 ask whether it be to shrive a dying one ” “No,” replied Ramorino; “but to marry two living and loving ones.” “If there be urgency, said the priest, with a deferential bow, “I will perform the ceremony.” “ Yos—there is urgency,” answered the Minis- ter; “for the bridegroom is too much occupied by affairs of state to bestow avy leisure on marriage- festivals and rejoicings: he has therefore agreed vith his intended bride that the auptials are to be selemnized with as much privacy as possible. The lady herself—high- born, beautiful, and rich — wishes to avoid the gaping curiosity which pompous and ostentatious weddings always ex- cite. In short, holy father, we are agreed—-—” “ You, my lord P” ejaculated the priest with lurprise. “Yes—J,” rejoined the Count. is the Marcbioness di Mirano. “ And tho lady ElOOOIK Come with ma,