Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

374 this suddon change which had so providentially occurred. And thon in a few minutes came General Germini, accompanied by his two daughters ; for they all hastily huddled on their clothing whon the Countess di Milazzo had rung at the house to present the packet in the young Count of Came- rino’é name. The amiable and oxcellent-hearted Laura and Mirtilla took charge of Mrs. Do Vere; for the excitement of so much joy overpowered her, and she sank senseless into their arms. The Gene. ral shook hande with our hero—felicitated him on his escape from the doom which bad been decreod and expressed a hope that no ill-will would be cherished towarda himself, inasmuch as he had performed nothing more than his duty. Charles might have answered that this duty had been some- what roughly done, and in the flerce spirit of Go- vermment partisanship : but he was not merely in too good a humour to say an unpleasant word to a living soul, but he likewise ontertained tho most grateful recollection of the generous troatment which his mother bad experienced at the hands of the Commandant’s daughters. Thus he at once bogged General Germini to be entirely at his ease on the point just mentioned ; and he then said, “I could wish to speak alone for a few minutes with the Countess di Milazzo.” “You are now the master of your own actions, my lord,” responded the Governor. “The Govern- ment proclamation, by virtue of which you are set at freedom, is unmistakable and imperative. It decrees that whosoever should surrender up the correspondence of the late Carlo Alberto, should, if a member of any Secret Political Society, be pardoned; and if liable to any penalties in con- sequonce of political offences, he shall also receive a free pardon, with complete restoration to his civil and political rights, and to the enjoyment of his ostates, fortune, or other possessions that might have been confiscated or become liable to forfeiture, And therefore, my“Lord Count of Camorino, you are in all respects absolved from any consequences of your connexion with the late conspiracy.” _ “And it shall now be my endeavour,” answered Charles, “to convince the Tuscan Government that I was led entirely against my will iuto the insane attempt that was made upon Leghorn———” “A task wherein it will be easy for me and my sister to afford such corroborative evidence as shall place the matter beyond the possibility of doubt :” —and it was with emphasis that the Countess of Milazzo thus spoke. General Germini rotired; and Charles, taking Lucie’s hand, exclaimed, “Ob, my dear friend ! how illimitable is the debt of gratitude I owe you!” “ ‘Let me disabuse you at once, Charles,” inter- rupted Lucia, “It was not I who have done this! It was my penitent and remorse-stricken sister !” “Then never again,” cried our hero vehemently, “ shall the name of the Princess of Spartivento be mentioned by me otherwise than with gratitude, if not with respect!” “Thank you—thank you, Charles !” cried Lucia fervidly, “ for this assurance !” “Let me speed to thank your sister in person !” exclaimed our hero. “ No,” rejoined the Countess: “ that may not be! She is not equal to such a meeting. Go to your mother--be happy with ber! Iam about to yeturn to Bianca !” AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. * One word, Lucia ! one word !” cried Charles, “ How came your sister to get possession of that valuable and important correspondence P” “Do not ask me—aé least not now, Charles! Suffice it for you to experience all the blessings which flow from the production of that correspon- dence. And now farowell for the present!” Having thus spoken, Lucia hurricd out of the prison-chamber ; and she retraced her way to the hotel, where sbe destribod to her sister all that had just taken place, and how the young Count of Camerino was in the enjoyment of frocdom. General Germini was in overy respect a time- serving individual—a worldly-minded man—with- out principle, selfish, and cunning. He would have helped to crush our hero when he thought that the latter was completely down in the world: but now that his star was so fully in the ascend - ant, the Commandant lost no time in worshipping it. To be on intimate terms with the young Count of Camerino, who was immensely rich, and pos- sossed a splendid mansion at no great distance from Sicnna—a mansion whereat bo would doubtless give brilliant entertainments—all these wore con- siderations which failed not to enter into the mind of General Germini. Thus ho now overwhelmed our hero with civilities; while his daughters, from the most amiable motives, bestowed their kind at- tentions on Mrs. De Vere. Charles perfectly woll comprehended the character of General Germini, and secretly hoe despised it: but he accepted with frankness the hospitalities proffored by the Com- mandant—not merely because he knew that ho should be well able to recompense them, but for the reason above stated, that he would not for the world act in a manner that should in any way wound the feelings of Laura or Mirtilla, And here we ought to add that the worthy Signor Palmas was overjoyed when he reosived the tidings of the young Count’s liberation and safety, : In tho forenoon of the following day Charles haf another interview with the Countess di Milazzo. ° “You must not ask me,” said Lucia, “to tell you into what religious seclusion my penitent sister has retired: you must be contented with learning that sho has gone into a convent. Yes! the portals of a religious establishment have alroady closed upon her!—-and under another name the identity of the Princess of Spartivento is lost! Believe me, Charles, whatever her misdeeds may have been, her penitence is truly great!” “And thus your sister has reijred from tho world?” said our hero, who was at first Jost in amazement when the tidings were communicated to him; but after a little reflection, he addod, “Well, it is perhaps better thus! Yos—it is better thus! Did you convey to your sister-———” “All the gencrous assurances which you sent through the medium of my lips; and she is deeply grateful. Hero is a document, to which her name is attached as well as mine, It contains a compicte exoneration on vour behalf of any willing compli- city in the machinations and schemes which led to the attack upon..fyeghorn, By the aid of thig papor,” added Lucia, * you may put yourself com- pletely right with the Tuscan Government.” “In every sense, my dear friend,” said Charles, “ you exhibit towards me the kindest considera- tion, And now let me hasten to give you the as- AMG CO CO IN@OIK