Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 207: what you’re looking at

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

166 “ Where shall I put them, my lord ?” inquired the domestic. Ramorino hastily reflected that there was a spy belonging to the French Embassy watching in the street; and for anything he knew to the contrary, there might also be spies posted by the Minister of the Interior in the neighbourhood, so that the movements of Luocrezia should be effectually watched. Now, for obvious reasons, it by no means suited Ramorino that it should become known that he was receiving or making away with any of the goods contained in the Mirano man- sion. “You will not bring those pictures to the front gate at all,” he said to his confidential domestic ; “but you will take them round to the back en- trance — you will convey them up the private staircase—-and you will place them in the room which is most convenient for their reception.” * I¢ ahall be done, my lord!” and the domestic went forth from the Count’s presence. “Now,” thought Ramorino to himeolf, with exultation in his heart, “there may yet be safety forme! Yes—the storm will be averted from my- self! Would that I could save Lucrezia also, to ward off the shame that must more or less redound "pon me But no! no!” he thus suddenly interrupted himeelf in the current of his thoughts : no shame need redound upon myself! May I not boldly proclaim that when I espoused Lucrezia di Mirano it was in ignorance that she was stained with crime P—yes, in ignorance that she was even suspected of it? Ah! there are yet many, many eant b mbich my own position may possibly be rande \eafe !? <7 Dust at the moment when the Minister of Police artived at this reassuring climax in his thoughts, there was another ring at the gate of his mansion ; again be lingered to learn who might be calling at that late hour; and again he recognised the voice which was inquiring fur him—for it was now the young priest Father Falconara. “What can he require ?” mentally ejaculated Ramorino. “ But 1 will see him.” Stepping forward accordingly, the Minister of Police invited Falconara to walk into the waiting- room; and when they were there together, he in- quired, “ What has brought your reverence hither again this night ?” “ My lord,” replied Falconara, “I would fain speak to the lady that has become your wife.” “ Speak to Lucrezia ?” ejaculated Ramorino, surprised at the demand. “Yes, my lord,” answered Falconara solemnly ; “an ecclesiastic may proffer such a request.” Ramorino hesitated for a few moments; and then suddenly making up his mind, he aaid, “ Yes —your reverence has that claim which every priest under certain circumstances may assert. You shall see her ladyship ; follow me.” The Minister of Police accordingly led the way upstairs to the apartment where he had left his bride; and opening the door, he eaid, “ My dear Lucresia, this excellent young ecclesiastic who just now united our hande, craves a few minutes’ audience with you.’ “ Indeed !” exclaimed Lucrezia, who, as we have already said, beheld some frosh calamity in every new circumstance, even the most trivial s—but in- | stantapeously composing herself as well as she 4GN23; OB, BRAUTY AND PLRASUBE. was able, she said, “ Fathor Falconara is of cours welcome. But you, my husband—have you nothin; to communicate ?” she demanded in a low whisper ‘Nothing for the present,” he replied, some what abruptly — but likewise speaking in a low tone. “See what this young priest wants witl ou !” ’ With these words the Count of Ramorino qui: ted the apartment : Luorezia and the ecclesiast' were left alone together. The lady bent her eye earnestly and anxiously upon the pale handsome countenance of Father Falconara, as if to prob: the very purposes of his soul ere he began to r-: veal them; and she was struck by observing ¢bat it was with an air of mingled pity, surprise, anc soverity, all strangely blended together, that he gazed upon her. “What require you with me, holy father P” she asked, and her mind was tortured with the mos/ lancinating suspense. “ Lady,” said the priest, raising his right hand in @ half warning, half acjuring manner, “ I woulc beseech you to reveal all ydur misdeeds ! — nol merely to confess them unto me who am the minister of heaven, but to those who aro the ministers of the earthly law !” “What mcan you P” asked Lucresia, in a faint and almost dying tone; for she had not now the courage to play a part of indignation or defiance. ‘‘I mean, lady,” replied Falconara, “ that your iniquities are great, and that they cry up to heaves itself for vengeance! I mean moreover that il I could have possibly suspected that you were the guilty being you are, I should not have ere now pronounced the marriage-benediction! For mar- riage is a sacrament wherein only those who stand well with heaven and their own consciences, ought to be the partakers!” “Tell me at once what you mean, holy father ?” murmured Lucresia; ‘and I shall know how to answer you. Qh, do not speak to me with BOVOLIty me”? “No, erring woman !” interrupted Falconara | “I speak to you with mercy and with compassion | It is my mission to absolve and to console — to pour balm into the wounds of the contrite heart, and to raise up the bruised spirit that is penitent !” The tears trickled down Lucresia’s countenance : and it was under tho influence of some irresistible feeling now powerfully excited by the young priest’s words, that she sank down at his feet. “Oh, holy father,” she murmured, “I am very, very uphappy, and it would be impossible to deny that I have also been guilty of many misdeeds. And there is euch kindness in your tone anc look———” “* Alas, erring woman!” interrupted Father Fal- conars, “would that by my own wailings and sorrowings, OF My own prayers and intercessions, I might be able to restore you to a state of inno- cence and happiness! But this may not be, Prayers must come from your own lips ” “Goud heaven, what is he saying P and what am I doing P” murmured Luoreszia, pressing her hand ‘to her feverish brows, and wondering whether she were awake or whether she were in the midst of a dream. ‘Am I betraying myself ?” “ Ab, lady!” responded Father Falconara, “ those self ovndemnatory words were not requisite Comiclooo S CO