Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 287: what you’re looking at

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-236 - “T know nothing of his proceedings,” responded Cicely. “And you aro also ignorant, perhaps, of th course which De Vero may have pursued? Surel: he would never dare to take his quadroon mistress to Naples, where his mother now resides: for I be lieve that she is a most estimable lady.” “I haye not seen Mr.’ De Vere,” answered Cicely, “since the day he was bold enough to call upon me as I have already told you: and then I ‘dismiesed him from my presence. Yes—on dis- covering from his own admission how guilty he had been, I bade him leave the room !” “But how did he become acquainted in the first instance with young Mr. Barrington and his wife ?” inquired Ormaby. “From something which the quadroon told me,” responded Cicely, “it would appear that Charles De Vere partook of their hospitality when they were living at a retired village in the Apennines, aud when he was escaping from the fortalice of Bagno, during the many complications which were associated with the marvellously tragic history of Lucrezia di Mirano. No doubt on that occasion Charles De Vere repaid Gustavus Barrington’s gonorous hospitality by the seduction of his wife !” “Enough! enough!” ejaculated Ormsby, “ it is indeed all too plainly apparent! Good heavens ! the farther and farther I get upon the pathway of the world, the more do I become acquainted with the iniquities, duplicities, and bypocrisies of human nature! Asif even all my former experiences were not sufficient, but that there must be new teach- ings to open to my knowledge fresh roads in the realms of crime ! hideous topic!—Ah! by the bye, Mrs. Hardress, you were speaking of the complications which arose in respect to those recent circumstances that must have filled all Florence with amazement and horror. Now that I happen to be in thia city, I would like to visit the Mirano mansion, Not that I have any morbid curiosity in respect to the place itself:—heaven forbid! But I have been informed that the late Marchioness possessod a picture of Lucrezia Borgia, to which she herself bore the thost wondrous resemblance.” ‘And you have been rightly informed, Mr. Hargrave,” answered Cicely. “That portrait, together with other pictures, was conveyed to the Count of Ramorino’s private residence: but it has now been restored to the Mirano mansion, which together with all the possessions of the guilty Mar- chioness, has been confiscated by the Government. It is intended, I believe, that everything should be sold shortly; but in the meanwhile visitors may inspect the picture gallery at the mansion.” ** I thank you for this information,” answered Lord Ormaby ; “ and though but little inclined to Bight-seeing in the present painful state of my feelings, yet 1 assuredly shall avail myself of the opportunity to contemplate a picture which may be regarded as the two-fold representation of ree markable female criminals, And now, Mrs. Hard- rese, with your permission I will turn to another topic. Might I inquire how long you have been travelling on the Continent ?” ‘‘A little more than a month— about five weeks,” said Cicely. ‘We left England imme- diately after that aad affair of which you may per- haps have heard: I mean the death of Mr. Clif- But enough, I say, upon that AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. ford in the duel which he fought with my hus. band.” “TI merely put the question, Mrs. Hardress,” resumed Lord Ormaby, “because I was about to inquire whether during your travels on the Con- tinent, you had chanced to fall in with thet unfor- tunate girl———perhaps you know to whom I al. lude P-—the cousin of Agnes !” *Ah!” ejaculated Cicely. “ You mean Flo- ribel Pp” ““Yes—tho unfortunate Floribel, who was so- duced under the semblance of a marriage by that villain whose name you ere now mentioned-——— Theodore Clifferd !” ) Cicely reflected seriously and deeply while Lord Ormeby was thus speaking. “He is almost eure,” she thought to herself, now that he is in Florence, to discover that Ci- prina and Floribel were one and the same person, and if I tell him a falsehood on the subject, he may then disbelieve my statements in reference to Charles Do Vere. I must therefore tell him he truth! But he need not know that my hus- band is upon Filoribel’s track-~ perhaps by this iime with Floribel herself; who can tell ?” These:were the reflections which swept through Cicely’s mind; and then, when Lord Ormsby had gpeaking, she said, “ Yes, Mr. Hargrave —TI have seen Fioribel.” ** Ah! you have seen her ?” he ejaculated. “This ia one of my objects in coming to Italy: for I ‘aithfully promised Agnes that I would discover, if oossible, the place where the unfortunate girl had iecluded herself ” “Mr. Hargrave,” interrupted Cicely, “I am \bout to give you another proof of my friendship nd confidence. Prepare yourself to hear some- ihing extraordinary ——” “What ! fresh marvels ?” exclaimed the noble- in. “Ah! heaven grant that they be not con- nected with fresh iniquities also !” “Oh, again I am about to grieve you, Mr. Har- prave !” said Cicely. “You have heard of a cer- ain associate of the Marchioness of Mirano—one ‘hom report represents to have been almost as de- waved and profligate as the Marchioness her- lelf e “What! Ciprina?” exclaimed Ormsby. “Yea -—-every one must have heard of hor who has ‘ieard of the Marchioness! ut what, in heaven’s iame, can this allusion to Ciprina have to do with “Joribel P” “You are about to visit the Mirano mansion,” ‘esponded Cicely. “ There, amongeat the new paint. ngs, you will behold a beautiful picture of a Bride, “t was the work of one of the most eminent Flo- rentine artiats s “'Well—and this portrait ?'’ cried Ormsby, iomewhat impatiently. “The face is that of Ciprina,” continued Cicely. It was she who sat as the artist’s model. Goan iok at that face id “Just heaven!” cried Ormsby, “do you mean ——But no! no! it is impossible! As for me, I lave never seen Kloribel herself: but I have con- moplated a portrait of her, beautifully executed 'y the pencil of Agnes.” ‘Then go and look upon the face of Ciprina,” joined Cicely, “and you will know where J have ret Floribel |” nn C© DoOok C©