Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 199: what you’re looking at

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_ 148 cautiously and circumspectly in the matter. Be- cause, after all, 1am a prisoner escaped from Bagno —he has only wy bare word for the injustice of my arrest—and though he of course believes me and knows that what I have stated is true, yet this is only as betweon gentleman and gentleman ; whereas in his oficial capacity he ought at once to communicate with the Tuscan Government, de- mand explanations with reference to wy arrest, and notify his roadiness to give me up provided the grounds of that arrest shall be proved to be valid and sufticient.” “Well thon,” remarked Ciprina, “it is clear that the two Ambassadors bave every pussible reason for proceeding cautivusly and with duv cir- cumspection.” “They are now consulting together,” said Mar- cellin ; “ we also shall proceed with our discussion— we may presently compare notes with them, and we shall be enabled to determine upon a specific course of action. Besides, it would be imprudent to take any step until we have Signor Vaoli with us. The French Ambassador conceives ib highly Impurtant in the making out of # caso against Lucrezia di Miranv, that tho tather of the mur- dered youth should give his testimony.” “ And such is precisely the view entertained by the British Ambassador,” said de Vere. “ Thort can be no doubt that the Marchioness is strongly protected by the Count of Raworino; and she has therefore a towor of strength on her side. Wo have the two ‘Ambassadors: but then it must bo remembered that tho Ambassadors can only wield on our behalf such weapons as diplomatic privilege legitimately places in ¢heir hands,—whereas, on the other band, there is an unscrupulous Minister of Police, all-powerful ins hus own department, and able to set ip motivn a variety of tremendous engines vf defence and protection for the guilty Lucrezia.” “Tam glad,” said Ciprina, “ that we are look- ing the whole matter thus rationally in the face, and considering it logically. At what time is Signor Paoli expected in Fiorence 2” * Antonia is nut quite sure,” replied Marcellin, * She first of all tuld me at cizht o'clock: but she subsequently reflected that she must have made a mistake, and that Petyoro told ber between nine and ten. I have vot taken any step to ascertain the puint correctly from Petroro; for I thought that the less communication there might be with his house the better, as Ramorinu’s spies are doubt- less everywhere. ‘Therefore, at about nine v’clock we will go to Potrore’s and meet Paoli—unless any other plan of proceeding in respect to this par- ticular point shall be resolved upon.” ‘And you have tho substantial materials of evidence P” said Ciprina to Mareellin. “Yes—the pistol and suit of male apparel, which I brought away with me from the Mirano maudien, fnd then, too, I have the groom Bor- nado at the French Hmbassy—and his evidence will be mor? or less important. And there ie Antonia likewise; and presently we shall have Paoli.” “Wut now,” said te Tere, “to touch upon an- other puint. There is the poisoning affair a “Za Dolfina’s confess om and tbe phil covtain- ing the powon, responded Marcellin, “are in the hunde of the French kuvoy, Now that Ciprina AGNES;.OB, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. is with us, it can be proved that the Marchioness di Mirano did mako use of that poison in the hopo of ridding herself alike of Ciprina and of mo; and the French Ambassador knows those particulars of the entire history as well as all the rest; so that this puint will not be omitted from the discussion which he is now holding with the British represen- tative.” “And lastly,” said Da Vere, “you have that letter which you found in Lucrezia’s writing- desk.” “ That also is inthe hands of the French Envoy,” responded Fdyar. “ It proves Low unscrupulous Ramorino is in using his power on behalf of his mistress.” ‘‘ 1 think you just now said,” obsorved Ciprina, “ that it is a letter written by Count Ramorino to the Marchioness at the villa in the Vale of Arno to the effect that I and the person who was found with me at the time had been arrested during the past night.” “And this letter,” rejained Edgar Marcellin, “ will hereafter serve as the ground of complaint to be made by the two Ambassadors to the Tuscan Government against Ramerino, inasmuch as it is thereby proved that to satisfy the de- mands of his mistress he thinks nothing of plunging French or English subjects into captivity. In reference to the Marcbhioness, I would add,” continued Edgar, “that there are a couple of spies watching all her movements.” “ Ah! this was well thought of,” ejaculated De Vere. ‘“ And thuse spies ?” “Two domestics of the French Ambassador,” answered Marcellin: “ they are dressed in mean apparel—and depend upon it, they know how to perform their part.” The two young men and Ciprina continued in deliberation for some time upon the various fea- tures of the case in which they were engaged. At lenyth, when it was verging towards eight o'clock, the British HWavuy returned to the room where the trio had been holding their discussion. The great diplomatic functionary’s countenance wore that expression of mingled firmness and gravity which showed that sume important step had been resolved upon, if not already taken. “ Madam,” he said, at once addressing himself tu Ciprina, and handing her a paper, “ I believe that the statemont embodied in this document com- prises the evidonco which you are enabled to give in reference to an attempt made by Lucrerm di Mirano to poison yourself and M. Marcellin, You were in your chamber—you affected to he asleep—you watched the proceedings of the Mar. chioness————” “Yos,” said Ciprina, having glanced her eyes over the paper: “ every statement in this doou- ment is perfectly correct.” “ It is according to the report which I myself gave to the French Ambassador,” interjected Mar- collin, who likewise glanced at the document ae 4s lay befure Ciprina on the table. “Then have the goodness to sign it, madatu,” said the Mritish Envoy: and when the young ludy had affixed her signature, he added his own ag that of the attesting witness. ILis Excellency placed the document in an efe velupe ; ‘and puing tv the duur of the apartment, he gave the packet to a servant who was waibiligs Comiclbhoo S CO