Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 189: what you’re looking at

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188 something must be known of the young gentle- man at the British Embassy—and therefore I am no longer uneasy on his account.” “If he should happen to return,” said the Minister, “lose not an instant in forwarding a message to me at the Prefecture to that effect.” The Count then tovk bis departure from the hotel; and he proceeded straight to the British Embassy. On announcing his name, be was at once conducted into a waiting-ruom, while his card was taken to the British Envoy. lu a fow minutes one of the attachés of the Embassy made his appearance; and courteously saluting the Tuscan Minister of Pulice, ke said, “I regret that his Excellency’—thus alluding to the Iusnvoy— “‘ should be unable to receive your lordship at this moment: but ho is exceedingly occupied - “It is unnecessary that his Excellency should disturb himself,” interjected Ramorinu. ‘‘ The object of my visit is sv simple—and you can doubtless give me the iufurmation 1 seek. Intel- ligence has boen communicated to tho police that 8 young English gentleman, named Charles De Vere, has been unaccountably missing “This information,” interrupted the alfaché, “ has also been forwarded to the Embuassy.’’ “ WTave any tidings been received ——~” “1 &m really unable,” at once interrupted the attaché, “to gi.e your lordship any information ou the,puint : but I will presently report to his Excellency this kind visit on your lordship’s part, and [ have nu doubt that you will bo communicated with so soon as thore may be anything of conse- quence to impart.” The Minister of Police failed not to perceive that the attaché was speaking evagively; but with- out suffering his countenance to betray the sus- picion which he thus entertained, Ramorino said, ‘| just now called at the hotel where the young English gentleman had put up; 1 learnt that inquiries had been made for his letters on the part of a domestic from this Embassy.” “Oh, yes,” said the attuché: “ that is our rule. ‘W hLenever auything doubtiul or mysterious happens to a Griti-h subject abroad, the first duty of the Bittish diplomatic agent in the particular country, vtate, or district, is tu look after the missing one’s property and letters.” “No doubt of it,” said Ramorino: and perceiv- ing that-it was useless tv endeavour to sift tho attaché any further, he took his leave, with a re- quest that should tidings be reccived concerning Mr. De Vere, they might be at once communicated ty him. “Tuat fellow was playing a part!” said Ramo- ring tu himself as he issued forth from tho portale of the British Embassy. ‘There is asturm brew- ing!—~—that is perfectly claar! Doubtless this Ciprina has told Ido Vere everything that she herself knows or suspects; and De Vere purp.ses to range himseif on the same side with Ciprina and Marcellin! Ab, and what if Marcellin should huve alau svught @hae protection of bis own Ew baeay P To fight the. battle against them, if they be bucked by the power and influence of the twu Eu bussies,—this will indeed prove a hard struggle! By dupiter! it would be by no means amusing if in the very first ddys or even hours of my honey- moon, I found myself called upon to issue a war- revt for the arrest of my own wife [’ | dent. AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. While making these reflections, the Count of Ramorino pursued his way through the streets of Florence, muffied in his cloak. As he approached his private residence—where, be it remembered, he had left Luorezia—he noticed a man, dressed in mean apparel, lounging about on the opposite aide of the street. Now, a Minister of Police has the best memory and the keenest eyes in all the world fur particular circumstances. Consequently, Ra- worino instantaneously recollected that when he had just now issued forth from his private ‘resi- dence, he had seen a mean-looking person hanging about the premises ;~—-and he now recognised the man to be the same. “Ab! ba!” thought the Minister ta himeelf { . this ia an espial of some kind \’- But we will see.” Ramorino continued hie way without entering his private residence ; and he walked in the direc- tion of the Mirano mansion. He lighted a cigar, and strolled along as if with the leisurely, noncha.- fant air of one who has nothing patticular to do; —-and on arriving in the viginage of the palatial establishment, he fluny his keen regards around. He now perceived another person in mean apparel, lounging about in this quarter ; and he muttered to himself, “ Ah! ’tis clear enough! The watch is set upon Lhucrezia !” Continuing his way, the Count of Ramorino dropped the cigar from his mouth at the very in- stant he was passing the man to whom we have alluded. This individual rushed forward to pick it up; and the Count exclaimed, “Thank you, my ' good man! thank you!—but it is of no conso. quence! However, here is sometbing for your trouble.” “I am obliged to your Excellency,” said the roan, taking the coin which wae proffered him: aud he showed by his respectful demeanour, as well as by his words, that he had recognised the Minister of Police. “Ab! you are not an Italian?” rino, as if quite carelessly. “* No, my lord,” was the response : Frenchman.” ** And a very civil person you are into the bar- gain,” rejoined the Count. ‘ Good evening to you, my wan.” The Minister of Polico continued his way, making a circuit of the walls bounding the gardens in the midst of which stoud the Mirano mansion; and he said to himself, “ A labourer, who has ali the ready civility of a foutman, and who bows like one! No, no! that will uot do! Coarse ap- parel and clean hands! Inconsistent! I under- staud it all! It is asl suspected! Marcellin has taken refuge at the French Embassy — ho has told his tale to the Aubassador—and Lucrezia is watched by two of the Irench footmon disguised as labourers! 1 will however assure myself more fully on the point.” Having made tho circuit of the grounds belong- ing to the Mirano mansion, the Minister of Police retraced bis way towards his private residence ; and by suddenly debouching, as it were, from a bye-street almost immediately facing bis abode, he came upon the mean-looking individual to whom we at first alluded. He purposely ran against him, but making it appear asif it were entirely af acci- The man apologized on his own sidv: Ra- said Ramo. “FT ama MIKGOO CO S