Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 197: what you’re looking at

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146 palpable and tangible, IT give offenee—or if by ex- pressing the impossibility thaé I experience of congratulating you on your marriage, I likewise provoke your anger,—I must tako the conse- quences, whatever they may be. But 1 repeat, my lord, I condole with you; for, on my soul! as a living man! you are not happy in the choice you have made — inasmuch, as within the last two hours a warrant has been issued from the Treasury, laying seizure and confiscation on all the property belonging tg the Marchivnoss di Mirano.” A groan—or rather a sound resembling the rueful lament of a wild beast that is wounded, came forth from the lips of the Count of Ramo- rino. Ife staggered back a pace or two, and then recovering himself, he said in a hollow voice, “ Js this true, my lord ?—is this indeed truce? or am | labouring under tho influence of some berrible dream? Tell me, my lord—am I wide awake? or am I sleeping? Good Gud! what does all this mean P” * The wretehed man ¢romed to be smitton blow upon blow; and strong-minded, energetic, self- possessed as he usually was, it must have been under the influence of very painful feelings indeed -—opptessed by the most harrowing emotions, that he could havo so far lost his self-command as to give ventito such language as that in the presence of his most bitter enemy. Even that enemy him- self pitied him for an instant: but this sympathy was transient a8 a passing wreath of vapour; and he said, “ Yes, my lord-—-a warrant of confiscation has been this evening issued fram the ‘Treasury — it ig in the hands of the proper oflicers—and it will be executed tu-morrow.” Tremendous was the effurt which Aamorino made to recover his self-command; and he said, * But this measure can be only taken as tho con- sequence uf « criminal law procedure, or when some one is accused of a very heinous crime i “Such as poisoning, my lord,” interjected the Minister of Finance. “ Who better thar yoursell should know that for years past a women of infamous character, named La Dolfina, has dwelt in }lorence———” “Ah! Furlo was right!” muttered the Minister AGNTS; OT, BPAUTT AMD TLUARURE. Having thus spoken in a fierce, wild, impas- sioned manner, the Count of Ramorino—usually so calm, cullected, and full of self-possession— rushed forth from tho room by one door, leaving the Minister of Finance to issue forth by another. Speeding to his own cabinct, Ramorino walked to aud fro like a wild beast paving and chafing in its cago,—until he grew somewhat calmer. Ho then rang tho boll, and asked if any arrests were reported? The reply was still in the negative ; and he said to tho man who had answered the summons, “i am about to return to my own house. Let those who have reevived nerticular orders from me this evening, bring their reports as svon as they return and when they have avy communicatiuns to make,” =“ The Count of Ramorino then loft the Prefec- ture, and strodo rapidly through the now deserted strects to his own private residence, which he reached just as the clocks of Florence were pru- claiming the hour of midnight. ° COTAPTER XXYV. AMBASSADORS, We must now return to Charles De Vere, whe, as we have stated in @ previous chapter, arrive! in Ilorence m the afternoon of a day that was memorable in the fives of many persons, Slaving placed himself under the proteetion of the Tritish Ambassador, he communicated to that fanctionury everything which had occurred, and they had a long consultation togethor. A messenger was sent to the hotel at which Charles had originally pat up; and tho man brought back a letter addresses to our hero, ‘This was the one which Kdgar Mur- eellin had Jeft for him there on the preceding day, and Charles was rejoiced, to loarn theretrom that the vouny Jrenchman was safe and under tho protection of his own Ambassador. Marcellin said in ins letter to Charles that be would immediately obey any summons which might bo sent or any appointment whica ought of Police. “How the storm is lowering over our | be made: but he nevertheless recommended cau- heads !—how awtully the thunder-cloud 18 prepur- “ng to burst! “Vador existing circumstances, my lord,” sail the Minister of Finance, “I cannot hold this cheque. It is valueless. The bankers will re- c&ivofnotice of the levy, seizure, and confiscation tho first thing in the morning. I leave you now. I was about to tell your Mxcellency how the Mar- chionesa di Mirano bought poisons of La Do” but I perceived that a mere reference to the in- famous woman’s name was sufficient te make you comprehend—or at least to suspect _ “Isnough, my lord! enough!” interrupted the Count of Ramorinu velemently. “It seems us if you were bent ou persecuting mo tu the very ul- most! Go!—do your worst! J ecare nut! Con- fiscate my wife’s money—and you confiscato my ownd I shall not be to blame if Iam boggared! I had a right to apend what I pusseased when eal- | tion and prudence in) whatsvevor proceedings shoud be adopted, for reasons that could be plained. Acting by the advice of tho Mnghah Atbassador, Charles wrote to Marcollin, announe- ing las safe arrival in Florence alter having ex- pericnced many strange adventures, and requesting Idgar to come to him after dusk at the British embassy. It was half-past six o’clock in the evening when a Jady, closely veiled, presouted herself at this Krabassy, and requested an immediate interview with the Dritish Ambassador, Sho declared her business tu be of the utmost importance , and thus she had no difficulty in obtaining the gratification of her requeet. In a tow minutes she found herself in the presence of the /uzlish representa- tive. “T have along tale to tell your Excellency,’ she began,—“a talo of crimes in one guarter— culating on the receipt of vast riches from this{ wrongs and persecutions in another—singular ad- marriage of mine. 4 envy not your feclings in goading to desperation aA mam vuo is already unhappy enouck !” Good night, my lord! --and| ventures and huir-breadth oscapes id 6 “Indecd, madam!” ejaculated the Ambassador. “This ig an afternoon repleto with singular ad Comiclooo S CO