Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 67: what you’re looking at

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262 me scquainted with the fact that he was charged with cortain letters and tidings of importance for Captuin Belluno at the Castle of Bagno. It was then his turn to become the querist ; and glancing at the upset chariot in the road, he expressed a hope that no ono had been injured. It suddenly struck me that his name had been in some way or another mixed up with those tragical affairs at Naples which regarded the Count of Camerino’s wife and son ; and I hastened to explain that the Qount himself was tho traveller in the chariot to which the accident had occurred, and that he had been conveyed in a very precarious state into the little wayside inn. On hearing this intelligence, Father Faloonara gave vent to an ejaculation of wild grief—and he flew to the chamber where the Count lay. I also proceeded thither. The me- dical man had by that time ascertained the state of the injury: and he informed us that the ekull was severely fractured at its base, and that reco- very was therefore next to impossible. Father Fal- conara displayed the deepest sorrow, declaring that nothing should induce him to abandon his bene- favtor, except the sense of duty which compelled him to bear esfely to Bagno the letters with which he was charged. I¢ appeared from what I gleaned from Falconara’s lips, that the Count of Canerinu bad supplied unto him the place of a perished father. 1¢ occured to me at the moment that by beoomivg the bearer of those despatches to Cupiain Belluno at the Castle, I might by some accident or another be enabled to forward my own views in reference to Carlotta. I therefore repre- sented tu Fatber Faloonara my willingness to un- dertake the task ; and I bade him reflect that so lung a3 be obtained a trusty messenger in respect tu those ducumente, he need not entertain the punctilious notion that he was neglecting a sacred duty which had been cunfided to him. Hoe thank- fully accepted my proposal : he placed the letters io my Lund—and he gave me certain explanations which he requested me to repeat tu Captain Bel- Juno. It appeared that when the storm burst above tho head of the Count of Ramorino, a new Minister of Police was appointed in the couree of a few hours. Fatber Falconara had waited upon him toexplain for what purpose he had como to Flo- reucv ; and the new Minister had questioned him very clusely in referonve to the discipline observed in the furtrees of Baguo, the number of prisoners who were confined therd, their offences, and 80 forth, From all that Father Falconura said to the new Minister, the latter had expressed his resolution to send, with the least possible dolay, an Inspector or Commissioner to visit tho castle, and draw up a report of the state of the estab- hiehwent, with a view to its complete reformation. It was this piece of intelligence which Father Fal- conara desired me to communicate to Captain Bel- luno, so that he might not be taken unawares by the appearance of the Inspector or Commis: sioner.” “And so you undertook the task P” said Flo- ribe ; “and by those meane you obtained an in- truduction into the Castle of Bagno ?” “Suttly, softly, myf dear Mrs. Lovel!” inter- jected the Barunet: /' the racinese uf the etury is now to come; for [4s that you have been impa- tient over those-Ory details wits: farmed the in- dispensable preface. Yos—A waifertouk the teakiy’ AGNES; OR, BHAUTY AND PLBASUESR. and with the despatches in my pocket and tho messdgo in my memory, I resumed my asoat in my postchaise to retrace my way to Bagns ~ But it was not plainly as Sir Alesander Holoroft that I returned thither; I was completely metamorphused! In the first place I travelled considerably out of my way to reach a town where I knew that I could purchaee certain little articles that I required———” she And what were those articles?’ asked Flo- “A black wig—a fine pairof moustaches, much larger than my natural ones—and a beard. These were for my own special behoof-——” “Good heaverts!” ejaculated Floribel: “for what parpose did you require euch masquerading accessories P”” “Tam mow about to explain my purpose and the mode in which I carried it out. Ah! I was going on to observe that I also procured a similar disguise for my valet; and I finally became tho purchaser of a third pair of false whiskers, with the accompan)ing moustaches.” “Three pairs altogether!” cried Floribel. “Yes. One disguise for myself—one for my valet—-and the third to keep in reserve for a special p There wis likewise a very protty little suié of male apparet’which I bought; and that was also to be kept in regerve.” “Ah! I think I bogin 46 understand,” said Floribel, glancing at Carlotta, who smiled signifi- cantly and at the same time blushed with modest confusion. “ Bat pray proceed with your narra- tive, Sir Alexander.” You will say,” returned the Baronet, “ that the scheme which I conovcted was one of the boldest and most impudent ever devised, and that it was a perfect wonder it resulted in success. But I must remind you that I speak the Itatian language with the fluency and accuracy of a native; and this circumetasce constityted the main element of that success. Add to which, I am by no means deficient in brazen bardihvod; and you will coase to be su very much surprised that the stratagem should have ended so triumphantly. And now for the explanation. Cuwpletely disguised, and at- tended by my valet, who was cqually well dis- guised, I presented myself at the gate of the Castle of Bagno, desiring to be immediately iotru- duced to the presence of Captain Belluno. The sentinela asked who I wus. I showed thew tip seals of tho official despatches whereof I was the bearer. In a few minutes I was in the presence of Captain Belluno. Then I boldly announced myevlf as an Inspecter sent by the new Minister of Pulice to draw up a report of the atate of Bagno Caatle. Captain Belluno became all civility and politeness ; for it doubtless at once struck him that the tenure of his cituatiog depended upon the naturo of the report that I should make. I gave him the de- spatches from the new Minister of Police; and inasmuch as they ordered certain emoadations to be accomplished in the discipline of the place, pre- peratory to the introduction of otber and still more sweeping reforms, they seemed to corroborate me in the story that I had framed, and tv confirm my representation that I was an Idgpector ap- pointed for this particular business, Cartuin Belluno at onve offered to introduce me to his wite and daughter; aad I expressed myself delizhted at the pruposed honour. 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