Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 54: what you’re looking at

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

¢ 8 42 a ree ne ae a EO LORE Ne Om eee SO ee > Orme enen ow -_——< «What have wo here?” said Lord Ormsby drawing forth some papers that were at the bottom of the box, and which were tied round with a piece of red tape. “Jt is legal or official writing; and Ah! stamps! Why, these are the impressions used in Piedmont! Look, Charles! you are a better Jtalian scholar than I, What mean theso documents P” Our hero opened the papers; and as he ran his eye hastily over them, the animation of an uumis- takable pleasure overspread his countenance: he glanced with mingled tenderness and joy at Agnes; and then he exclaimed, “ What munificence! what a proof of friendship!” “What mean you, CharlesP” asked Lord Ormsby, while the looks of the ladies were fixed mith curiosity upon his countenance. “I moar. my lord,” responded our gero, “ that in addition to the dower which you had so gene: rously, although so unnecessarily, promised to bestow upon your daughter, she will procecd as a rich bride to the altar. But, Ob! richer far art thou, dearest Agnes,’ cried our enraptured hero, “in the possession of thy many gracce and virtues, than with all the gold which tho world might be- stow upon thee !” Our heroine pressed her lovor’s hand: a glance of tenderness flashed from her eyo, whilo a modest bluah suffused her cheeks. *‘ By these documents,” continued the Count of Camerino, “tbe Countess di Milazzo assigns and makes over to you, dear Agnes, ,tho magnificent palace of Spartivento at Turin,—that palace which she herself only the other day received from her sister Bianca. But this isnot all! Tho Countess males over to you likewiso a sum of money cqui- valent to about thirty thousand pounds in English currency, and which is held by certain: eminent Sardinian bankers at her ladyship’s disposal.” “This is indeed munificent!” said Lord Ormsby. “It is almost ineredible!” ejaculated Mra. De Vere, who was now as rouch dazzicd and astounded by the gift as she hed been disappointed a few minutes back when she thought it consisted only of a simple wreath of pearls. Ae for Agnes, the tears wero rolling down her cheeks,—tears of the deepest emotion as she thought of Lucia di Milazzo’s proof of sisterly love; and she whispered to Charles, “ The gift is far too splendid! I cannot accept it!” Our hero reflected for nearly a minute; and then, drawing Agnes aside, he said, “ Ycs, dearest, I think you may accept it; for if I can rightly conjecture, the poor Countess is about to sock a retirement where there is no need to be the pos- seasor of palaces, and where the world’s wealth is of but little avail!” Agnes gave no verbal answer; but sho showed by her looks that she had already entertained tho same idea in reference to the intention which the generous Countess di Milazzo now cuerished. While these pereuonages were discussing all this stupendous munificence, Lucia hereelf was already journeying ip Jr travolling-carriage along the road from —... 9» to Sienna. It was late in the evening when sho reached that city; and it was not until the forenoon of the following day that she proceeded tu pay tho visit which had brought her thither. Thbis was to her sister in the convent of La Trinita, AGNES; OR, DRATTY AND PLBAsSURR. \-- Nearly two months had elapsed since they sepa- rated; and when Lucia was shown into the con- vent parlour, she sat trembling on a chair, won- doring how the prisonage was borne by the peni- tent, and whether it had made a painful chango ia her appearance. In a few minutes the door opencd—and a tall form, wearing the conventual dress, with checks that were very pale, and with a slow and mournful step, entered the room. This was she who had so lately borne the proud title of Princess of Spartivento—she who was so lately tho rich and brilliant Bianca—a principal star amidst the galaxy of the beauty and fashion of Turin— and a presiding genius in formidable conspiracies ! But no longer was sho the patrician Princess of ee ene reed ote NCTE mi NATE Rs me spate. CTS ms Spartivento—no longer tho brilliant Bianca! She was plain Sister Agonia. Sister Agonia therefore must we call her. She did not rush forward into Lucia’s arms: she did not bound towards her as ono who beheld a coun- tenance breaking like a cheerful light upon that monastic gloom: but she advanced slowly, with a solemn ghost-like step, and with a look which not by means of a smile, but with only the assump- tion of serene resignation instead of deep mourn- fulness, did she expross a welcome. But it was otherwise with the Countess di Milazzo:—sho stood still for ¢ few moments, gazing upon her sister as if to fathom the preciso stato of her mind; and then sho eprang forward and caught her in her arms. “ Bianca! dearest Bianca!” ejaculated tho loy- ing and affectionate Lucia. ‘VIlush! that name is not known here !”—and “ it was in a cold tone that the recluse spoke,—not as if she were deficient in feeling towards Lucia, but as if all tho power of giving it vent were paralyzed by a frozen condition of the heart itsclf. I am Sister Agonia.” “And do you regret—do you regret,” asked Lucia, “ that you have retired from the world ?” Regret itP—no!” replied Sister Agonia: * how could 1 regret it? Of what use was I any ongor in tho world ? how could I have remained there in honour and safoty for myself? Lesidea, were there not crimes whereof it was needful to repent P and thoreforo I regrot not my soclu- sion from the world. But I will confess one thing e “And what is that, door sister P” asked Jucia, quickly. ‘Ido not know but that I am committing a ain,’ said Sister Agonia, hesitating, “to allow my thouphts to travel in such a channel even fora single instant 2 Pray tell me, doar sister!” interjected the sountess, Tho recluso suddenly bent upon Lucia a look that was much altered from that which she had _ust before thrown upon her:—it was a look which showed that the ice of the heart had begun to thaw—a look wherein was reflected something of that tenderness of former days which had ex sted with so much fervour between the two sisters. “ Lucia, dearest Lucia,” she said in a voice that ikewiso seemed to indicate a reviving emotion, ‘ there are times when if I have a single regrot, it is—it is ” The brow of the Countess clouted, and her look became serious. COMmicboe®