Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 203: what you’re looking at

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162 Charles thanked the attaché, and passed on to his own room, where he tound Father Falconara waiting. “1 have to offer a thousand apologics,” exclaimed our hero, “ for being thus upwards of an hour be- hind the appointment which I myself mado with you: but businoss detained me elsowhe o . ‘“Nu excuse is necessary,’ interrupted the ecclesiastic. “I know that you would have como eoonor if you had been able.” “There is nothing 1 would not do,” cried De Vere enthusiastically, ‘to demonstrate my friend- skip and gratitude towards you; for never, nover shall I forget the generous servico you rendered me !” “I rendered you a sorvice, Signor De Vere ?” said I’ather Falconara, with a severe tone and look. “ Ought I not to complain of the treatment I have received at your hands P” “Ab! to be sure!” cried Charles, laughing. Well, we will not touch any more upon the sub ject. But at all ovents wo aro not now within the walls of the fortress of Bagno—you are not speak- ing to Number Twenty-nine, but to an individual posscssed uf 9 name. Let us converse freely. You may now be permitted to listou whilo I tell you thetT Wet carried off frum Liorenco by a mistake —I was taken for anuther—that very gentloman with whom you ere now saw mo. It was at the in- atigation of a Jady of high rank, but who is steeped to tho very lips in crime ” “Ab!” ejaculated Faleonara: “can it bo tho ‘lady whom I saw just now ?” “-4¢ here ig no sderet in the matter,” resumed De V@H6; “for all Florence will to-morrow ring with tis name of that lady !” | “Ah!” again cjaculated the pricst: “is such a storm as this indoed brewing ?” “It is as I tell your reverence,” rejoined Deo Vere, “And you allude,” said Jather Fulconara, “ to— to 7? and he stall hesitated to pronounce the name for tear lest after all there should be some mistake in the m-«tter. “The Marchioness Charles, “ Then it is 80!”—-and tho pziest looked con- founded. “What ! do you likewise know something rola- tive to this vile woman P” exclaimed our hero. “ But, Ah! doubtless you met her at the Count of Ramorino’s P—for I think you told mo cre now that you had been to make a cortaiu report “ “ Yes—it was thore that I mot her,” rejoined the priest. “ But tell me, of what is sho accused ? why will all Fiorenco ring with her name in the course of a few hours? Surely there must be some mistake P The Minister of Polico him- Be , “He is a villain, and he protects her!” cried Charles. “ Ho is her paramour.” * “Not now,” answered the young ecclesiastic; and then he added solemnly, “ Count Ramorino is her husband.” Charles De Vere was strickon with amazement —as well he might be—at this intelligence: but it was now hie turn to fancy there was sumo mis- take—and he said, “ Are you suro of what you tell me? = This lady to whom I allude “4 “Is young and beautiful,” interjected Father of Mirano,” exclaimed AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. Falconara, “Ah! I recollect ! she was much ex- cited when I spoke of the oscape of the young lady. But that Lucrozia di Mirano is now the wife of the Count di Ramorino you may rest as- sured: fur only three hours have elapsed since my lips pronounced the nuptial blessing.” “ (rood heavens !” ejaculated Charlos, “ what a bride has the Count of Ramorino taken unto him- self! Can it be possible that he is acquainted with her iniquitics P” “And those iniquities ?” said the priest in- quiringly. “ She is a murdoress!” answored Charles. Father Falconara staggored as if the astonish. ment which smote him was a veritable blow physi- cally dealt ; and clasping his hands together, he murmured, “ Good heavens! that I should have pronounced a blessing on the head of such a sinner !” At this moment the dodr burst open, and Edgar Marcellin rushed into the room. CILAPTER XXVI eRAMORINO’S BRIDR. Tir instant the young Fronchman mado his ap- pearance, it was easy to perceive that ho was in a very excited state; and Charles De Vere sprang furward to ask what was the matter—for he dreaded lest some new misfortune should have oceurred. “J will not enduro this another minute !” ex- claimed Edgar. “ No! I will not lay my head upon my pillow this night until some step be taken to vindicate myself! What to me aro all tho safe- conducts in tbe world if I am thus tv bo accused of the most atrocious crimo P?” “ 'Tranquillise yourself, my dear friond,” said Charics. ** You neod not leave the room, holy futher,’ ho added, turning towards the young priest. “ You already know that Lucrezia di Mirano is a murderess ie ° “ But you bave yet to hear,” exclaimed Mar- cellin, vehemently, “that the vile woman dares attommpt tu cast the blood-red shadow of her crime upon mo!” “ fxplain what has happened!” cried Charles De Vere, “Qn reaching the mansion of the Fronch Em- bassy,” said Marcellin, “a scene occurred of a naturo similar to that which greeted us just now at the gate of this Kmbassy. I was suddenly seized upon by a posse of sbirri, and tho vfficor in command said that ho arrested mo on tho charge of murdering Giulio Paoli. You may be well assured that I indignantly repelled the atrocious accusation ; and I demanded who was my accuser. To this no reply was given; and in my rage and angor 1 exclaimed, “1 know that it is Lucrezia di Mirano who charges me with this crime; but she herself committed it!’—The officer counselled me to hold my peace and accompany him quietly. ' I produced my safe-conduct ; he seemed uncertain how to act ; but this indecision on his part quickly vanished, and he said that under existing cireum- stances he must execute the warrant which he held in his hand. At that very instant whose carriage l COMMIGIOO <S) CO