Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 51: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES 5 OR, BEATTY AND PLEASURE, tn ee + + the Tuscan capital, and to request an audionce of the Grand Duke. In the course of the same day tho Minister’s principal secrotary waited upon our youny: horo, with the information that the Minister would present him to the Grand Duko at a levee which was to be held on the morrow. Accordingly, at the appuinted hour, the young Count proceeded to the palace: but he went not thither alone—hoe was accompanied by his mother, Lord Ormsby, and Agnes; for on tho Continent the reception days of Sovereigns are generally open foryladies as well as for gentlemen, and thus combine the two cere- monies which in Jingland ore kept distinct under the respective names of Levee and Drawing-room. The state-apartmwents were magnificently fur- nished; and numbers of persons of buth sexes were already gathered in those rooms which led to- wards the principal one. The splendid uniforms of the officers of the Tuscan army—tho court dresses of the various diplomatic functionarios—tho stars and decorations glittering upon the breasts of person- ages of rank wearing plain dresses—and tho cle- gant costumes of the ladics, constituted a spectacle of the gaycst and most brilliant description. On the entrance of the little party in whom our readers aro so especially intorested, they were accosted by the British Ambassador at the Court of Florence ; and rumour quickly whiaperod their names through- out the suite of waitiug-rooms. ‘Thus they soon found themselves the object of univorsal interest ; but a refined cuurtesy prevented the feeling from manifesting itself in a way at all obtrusive or ellvnsive towards the gentle and delicate-minded ° Anes. While the little party was atill conversing with the British Ambassador, the french diplomatic functiouary joined the group; and after proffering his congratulations to our hero on bis marvellous change of fortune, he said, “ Permit me to in- quire concerning my fellow-countryman and your friend, M. Marceilim ?” “Ifo is in perfect” health,” answered Charles, “and has overy reason to be happy. Indeod, l have no doubt that in the course of a day or two he will give your Excellency a similar assurance froro his own lips,” “Ah! then vour lordship expects him in L'lo- renee ?” suid the French envoy. “ Yes—with his young bride.” “Oh! ho!” ejaculated the diplomatist: “ then the gay and handsumo Edgar Marcellin has mar- ried at last ?” ‘And will no doubt become as steady in his matrimonial state,” interjected Charles, “as he was gay iu his period of bachelor freedom.” “ And whom may he have espoused P” asked the French Ambassador. “A young, beautiful, and loving creature,” re- plied Charles; ‘ for though I myself have not seen her, yet [ am enabled tu speak eulogistically on her behalf, inasmuch as sbo is an intimate friend of Miss Kvelyn’s, Your Ixcellency may havo per- haps forgotten that when you were so kindly assisting us in unravelling the horrible mysteries connected with the Marchioness di Mirano, three months ago, Jidgar Marcellin mentioned the name of Corinna, the sister of the murdered page Giulio - TI recullect perfectly !” sadur. “Ah! now 1 comprehend! ” exclaimed the Ambas- It ie Corinna as) Sey _— ee rr es ee Paoli who has become the bride of my rich, hand. some, chivalrous-minded young felluw-country- man Pp” Charles replied in the affirmative, — adding, “ Edgar and his bride set out from Paris exactly a week ago to visit I‘lorence. They are travelling by easy stages; and they may be expected here within a day or two.” “T understand,” said the Fronch Ambassador, in a low tone, and with a smile of good-natured slyness; “those who havo been recently married, aro now to come and witness the happiness of those who are on the point of being married.” Charles smiled; and the French diplomatist added, “It will afford me the greatest pleasure to shake hands again with M. Marcellin,” He then glided away to anothor part of civ * room ; and the young Count of Camuino now bee held Sir Alexander and Lady’ Holcroft advancing towards him. The Baronet looked perfectly happy ; Carlotta was leaning upon his arm with all tuat fond confidence and reliance which showed that she received from him that kind and affectionate treatment which made her cling to him with all the devotedness of her loving heart; so that Charles perceived at a glanco that the match was entirely a propitious one. Carlotta was elegantly dressed, and looked ecxceodinply well. A blush for @ moment crossed her countenance as she met our hero’s eye; for she knew that he was aware how she had eloped with Sir Alexander and lived with him for-a short’time ere becoming his wife. he Count of Cawerino instantaneously relieved Car- lotta from this embarrassmont, by hastening to take her by tho hand and present her to his mother and to Agnes, as well aa to Lord Ormsby. “My dear friend,” said Eoleroft, again and again pressing our bero’s hand, “ how heartily do I protler my congratulations on account of the hair-breadth escupes you have sustained and the marvellous charges of fortune you have oxperi- enced! Who would havo thought,” he added, drawing Charles a little aside, “that when I first know you as one of the junior afiachés to the Embassy at Naples, I should some day have tu felicitate you on becoming a wealthy nobleman? My dear Count of Camerino—for it affords mo pleasure to address you by that title—may I hopo that the friendship which commenced between ua at Naples, is now to be renewod and henceforth to endure until] the end P” Our hero’s aflirmativo answer was given with effusion; and tho two friends again pressed each other’s hands warmly. In the meantime Carlotta had beon conversing with Mra. De Vero and Agnes, who were at once prepared to like her, be- cause they saw that sho was thoroughly unaffucted, ingenuous, aud of tho most artless goodnature. Such was also the improssion she made upon Lord Ormsby. The reception was by this time commencing in the State-saloon: but inasmuch as we have no inclination fo dwell upon this ceremony, we shall pass it over ina few words,—cuntenting ourselves with informing the reader that tho young Count of Camerino was cordially wolcomed by the Grand Duke, who, as well as the members of his family, surveyed our hero with a visible and even marked interest. ‘The samo scntiment was manifested on the presentation of Lord Ormsby, Agnes, and Mrs, My 425°, S CO CoMmiclboo