Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 193: what you’re looking at

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143 bolts were drawn back—a key turned in the luck and the dour opened. A shrivelled old man, between sixty and seventy years of age, enveloped in a dressing-gown, and holding a candle in his hand, made his appearance. Ramorino, had pre- viously worn his hat slouched and the collar of | his cloak high up, so that he should not be recog- uised by the porter of the lodging-house; but he now revealed his countenance—and the old man immediately recognised him. Making a low bow, he asked, “ What can I do for your Excellency ?” At the same time Furlo—for such was the old man’s name—led the way into a small parlour, which might likewise be called an office, inasmuch as it contained a desk covered with account-books and papers, and had a certain business-like appear- ance. We should observe that Furio did not exhibit any considerable degree of surprise on be- holding Couut Ramorino there at that hour; and thence we may iufer that it was not the first time & visit had been paid by the Minister of Police to Signor Furlo’s abode at ten minutes to eleven o'clock at night. ““ Now, my wortby friend,” said the Count, at once entering upon the business which had brought him thither, “I require a considerable sum of money thie very minute. I know you have it in youn strong box—and there shall be ample sccurity given.’, “ Ald the amount, my lord?” inquired Furio, | AGNRS; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. mortgage, allowed by the Tuscan law, and whith merely required registration on tho ensuing day in order to render it effective. If tho document were redeemed within seven days, no further ex- pense need accrue; but if the mortgage were to continue for 4 longer period, it would be requisite to bave a fresh deed drawn up by a notary, and dulv attested, at the end of those seven days. While the Minister of Police was filling up the document, Signor Furlo was counting out the gold pieces from his iron strong box. He arranged them in little piles upon a side table; and as ho deposited each fresh heap there, he gave a smile, a sigh, and then a smile again. His first amile was that of the miser who gloated over th» preciou yellow metal; the sigh was heeze7 at the idea of porting with it; and then the second smile ap- peared upon his lips as he thought of the large amount of interest that Ramorino would have to pay for the loan. “Tnere is the sum, my lord,’’ he said. ‘I pre- sume the rate of interest is according to the usual terms ?” ‘ “ Yes—I have so filled up the mortgage-paper,” answered Ramorino. “ It will be a good night’s work for you, old man—inasmuch as to-morrow the Joan will be returned aye, and therewith all the different sums I have at any time borrowed of you.” “ Right glad am J, my lord,” said Furlo, rub- who, as perhaps the reader has already suspected, ' bing his skinny old bande and smiling with his was 8 money-lender in a considerable way of busi- toothless mouth, ‘‘ to hear that your prospects are ness. {so good. I suppose it is sume lucky turn at the Raworino named the sum—at the mention of | gaming-table—vr else one of those happy wind- which the old man made a slight movement of the | talls which sometimes come to great Ministers of hea, accompanied by # drawing-in of tho lips, as much asto imply that it was a very large amount indeed. “And you want it directly, my lord P” ho asked, plowly and hesitatingly. “ Directly,” rejoined Ramorino. ‘I tell you I want it this very minute! By oleven o'clock it mnst be forthcoming from my hands— State- “T have no time for prattling, Furlo,” inter- jected the Count. “ By Jove! itis close on eleven o'clock! Jiow timo flies! Here! take the deed —give me the coin . “Ah! one moment, my lord!” cried the old miser: “I quite forgot’to ask where the property is situated though of course I can take your ‘wih, my lord! my lord!” said the old man,! Excellency’s assurance shaking bis head in a half-familiar, half-deprecating | 2) manner: “the gaming-tuble “No matter, Furlo!” interrupted the Count: * vou have the muney, and you will lend it. The security " “Is if personal, my lord?” inquired the old man quickly: “for if sv, I would rather de- cline 7 “Silence, and hear me!” ejaculated the Count. “What think you of a charge, or mortgage, upon “I bave just married, Furlo, a lady of immense furtune,” exclaimed the Minister, ‘ Here is the certificate !—-here also is a paper signed by her own hand, to the effect that no marriage settle- ments have passed—and consequently ” “| understand, my lora,” said Furlo; “ you are consequently exercising the privileges of a husband having full power over hie wite’s property. I con- gratulate your Excellency ——But Ab!” “What do you mean?” demanded Ramorino ; one uf the most splendid mausivna in all Florence, | “ why that ejaculation? why that sudden start ?” pictures, plate, and uruaments of every description, --ttanding in the midst of its own grounds ” “Iwill take the security, my lord,” exclaimed Furlo. ~~a mansion filled with magnificent furniture, | |“ Lucrezia di Mirano!” he repeated, in a aiill | louder tone, a6 he glanced his eyes over the mort- '‘ gage document. “ Luerezia di Mirano!” cried the old man: ““Yes—that is the lady whom this very evening “IT knew it. Here! give me one of your hyjo- I have married,” hastily interjected the Count. theyue papera—I mean one of those printed turms ' “ She is immensely rich which you have. J will fill it up in a moment— and you can be counting out the money.” “My lord,” said Furlo, “I beg to decline this | transaction:” and the next instant the piles of “ Good, my lord !”— an! the, old man produced | gul'ien coin were all swopt back into the iron safe. one of the printed forms for whieh tho Minister of Pulice had asked. Ramorino sat down, blanke wero filled up in the proper manner; for thie was a provisional security, or valid draft of a | ! and in two minutea the | times the amount which I seek to burrow P* i Deeline it?” exclaimed the Count, astonished and enraged. ‘“ What mean you, old dotard? Is nut tho Murano mansion security onvugh for ten “Likely enough, wy lord,” rejvined Furlo, as comichboae® S