Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 218: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BRAUTY AND PLEASURE. young Frenchman thus met,—“it would appeur that you had deserted the entertainment long be- fore 1 thought of duing so !” “I bave been to fulfil a promise,” returned Marcellin,“ a promise which I made in the morning=—to the effect that I would call upon Floribel ——-" “ Floribel ?” ejaculated Charles, with a sudden start. ‘“ What! hae she revealed herself? or how did you discover who she is? But Ak! doubt- leas you learnt the fact from the lips of Heotor Hurdress, or his sister . “No, my dear friend,” interrupted Edgar ; “ I learnt the fact fom Floribel’s own lips. Her con- versation has been serious even to solemnity: I offered cverything which the deepest, deepest sense of gratitude could suggest———yes, it was even marriage that I pronrosed—but she refused— we bave separatsd—we shall meet no more !” “I was on my way to see her,” said Charles “and I also expect to have a serious and solemn discourse with her; for I feel it tobe my duty to make one more attempt to save the erring creature—to bring her back into the path of virtue “She will not suffer you to act ds a medium of communication between hereclf end Miss Evelyn,” interjected Edgar. ‘“ But go and see her; for there are many reasons why sho may listen to you in reference to matters whereon she would not permit me to touch.” The two young men separated ; and Marcellin, not feeling any inclination to return into the midat of the gaietiss of the British Hmbassy, entered a calé to while away en hour with the newspapers. He had not been there many mo. ments when an Italian gentleman entered, bring- ing @ piece of intelligence which he at once com- runicated to several acquaintances whom he met there. A decree had just been issued by the Grand Duke, removing the Count of Ramorino from the office of Minister of Police; and it further appeared that the disgraced functionary had already fled from Florence, or at all events that be had disappeared abruptly to avoid the con- sequences of his various misdeeds ; for the officers of justice had been vainly hunting for him in every direction. Meanwhile Charles De Vere proceeded to the hotel where Fioribel Lister bad taken up her quarters: but he inquired for ber ss tho Signora Ciprina, by which name she was known at the establishment. “ The signora,” replied the landlord, “ has just taken her departure.” “Taken her departure ?” ejaculated De Vero, in astonishment. “ How long ago P” “Not ten minutes have elapsed, signor, since the young lady departed. A postchaise was ordered all in a moment “ And whither has she gone ?” demanded our hero impatiently. “She said she was-going to Rome, signor,” re- joined the landlord. “ Nothing could be more hurried than the whole proceeding. I hope there is ngthing wrong ?” othing,” answered our ators and he has: tened from the hotel, As he was retracing his way towards the British Embassy, absorbed in painful reflections with 167 regard to Floribel Lister, he again encountered Edgar Marcellin, who was just issuing from the ooffee-house, “Have you heard the intelligence ?” exclaimed the young Frenchman, “ Ramuorino is displaced and he has fled !” “ And Fioribel has departed,” cried De Vere. “She must have left as speedily as possible after bidding you farewell.” “T am not surprised at it,” said Marcellin. “But Ab! if you wish to see ‘ber, it may not be tov late. Come with me !” A hackney vehicle was passing at the time : Marcellin stopped it—he and Charles at once took their seate thorein—and the driver was ordered to proceed to the French Embassy. “You cannot expect to find Floribel there ?” said De Vere, in astonishment. “But her maid Antonia is there,” answered Edgar ; “ and rest assured that she will not leave Florence without ber.” “ Ah!” ejaculated Charles; “then there is a chance for me to see Floribel again! But why did not Antonia join her mistress sooner ?” “The French Ambassador considered that as Antonia was a witness in the case which has thie. day been investigated, it was better she should remain apart from her mistress, so that the Judge might not be led to suppose there was any collu- sion, or straining of any particular points, in order to clear my character or to throw any edditional obloquy on the deceased Marchioness. When the investigation was over, Antonia and Bernardo were ordered to repair at once to the Mirano mansion, to receive from the steward the wages that were due to them, and also to procure ‘heir personal effects.—But hore we are at the Embassy |” Marcejlin and De Vere leapt out. The former hastened to put a few questions to the porter at the entrance ; and then, again turning towards his friend, he said, “We are too late! she is gone !” “Gone? Who? Antonia ?” ejaculated Charles. “Yea,” replied Marcellin. “ It appears that Antonia only returned with her boxes from the Mirano mansion ten minutes ago; and at the very same instant a postchaise drove up———"” “Ab! I understand !” said De Vere. “ Floribe} came to fetch Antonia)” “This is what J thought she would do,” rejoined Edgar: “ but we are too late! Yet there is still a ‘nance! Come quick, De Vere !” The young men again sprang into the hackney- vehicle; and now Edgar ordered it to proceed te the Mirano mansion. ‘ Floribel,” he said, “ will perhaps call thereto procure her own affects; ” / the steward has re- ceived orders to give the A ap to her.” ” * Ah! then there is still a chance!” exclaimed De Vere; “for I would not that we should part , ‘hus without one last effort on my part to establish * her welfare on some solid foundation.” The two young men reached the Mirano gag, < sion; but as they sprang forth from the vehicle, they ‘beheld Do postohaise waiting in front of the entrance. Their cyes swept along the atreet—bu no retreating vehicle met their view ; nor did sounds of any equipage fall upon their earav “Te is imposmble,” exclaimed Mgcellin, “ that Of COnmiclboo oe) Conn