Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 71: what you’re looking at

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She bad risen from her seat, avd she accepted the bouquet—for it wae proffered with eo much woll.bred courtesy, and with euch an easy olegant respectful gallantry, as to render the donor’s man- ‘ner indeacribably winning—we had almost said fascinating. “ Pray be seated, my lord,” said Floribel, with an amiable smile, as she indicated a chair. “Not until I eve you sit down first,” eaid the Marquis, with a low bow; end it struck Floribel that his voice was somewhat nervous and trem- bling for aman who had the hale appearance of about forty years of age, She eat down; and ¢hen the Marguis took a seat likewise. “I went last night,” he pursued, “ to witness the debit of a new actress and thé representation of some dramas which are great favourites with me: but I saw neither debitante nor perform- ances. I beheld naught but you.” “Your lordship can speak very pretty flat. tories,” replied Floribel, “ as well as present very protty nosegays.” “Traths are not flatteries, my dear madam,” re- joived the Marquis; and thie time as ha bowed, the conviction flashed upon Floribel that the beau- titul black curling hair was only a wig most artis- tically got up. “ Your presence last night at tho theatre, so sudden and so unexpected,” he con- tinued, “came upon me with all the effect of a delightful dream ; and when you departed at the close of the performance, it appeared as if dark- ness had suddenly fallen upon my eyes.” Floribel was just thinking to herself that even though the Marquis wore a wig, he had nevor- theless very beautiful teeth, when a slight move- ment onthe part of the entire upper range sent another disagreeable conviction flashing to her mind ;—and this wae that his teeth were falee! “ You cannot be surprised, my dear madame,” be continued, “that after your appearance made such an impression on me, J should venture to pre- aeut myself here to-day. Tell me in one word that my visit ia disegreeable—and I depart with a thousand of the humblest apologies for having paid it. But tell me on the other band that I am not too bold, and you will infuse a perfect rap- ture into my soul!” “You come to me, my lord, with so much kindnese,” replied Floribel, glancing at the beau- tiful bouquet, “that it is impossible I can say your visit is displeasing Yet after all it must bave an object ?” “I¢ has an object—and it bas a hope,” re- sponded tbe Sardinian nobleman. “You are beautiful—and I worship you. Consent to become the idol of this worship—and see with what choice gifts I will enrich the temple that eball enshrine you! There is a spacious mansion not far from; hence, bearing the mame of the Crescentino| Palace. Ten leagues from Turin there is a beaue | tiful country-seat ina park, bearing the name of the Creecentino Chateau. Kither is at your dis-' posal : or you may divide your time between both. ' At each there are numerous equipages and troops of domestics : the former are at your command—! the latter would be proud to obey you as their’ mistress. There ie in the next atreet a banker who will honour your drafta, no matter for what amount ;—and there is in your presence an indi- 4GNNS; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. vidual who will never weary of affording proofs of his devbted oe if you will but condescend ta ab- cept it!” re While the Marquise of Crescentifo was thus speaking’ Floribel discovered that hie whiskers, which at firet bad seemed to be of a glossy bisck, were in reality dyed ; for they had that peculiar tint which betrays the artificial colouring when the sunbe:,me fall upon the heir whose natural greyness is thus disguised. And she furthermore became convinced that the well-fitting coat was akilfully padded so as to vet off a figure which ago bad emaciated ; and ehe perceived that brilliant diamond rings glittered upon wrinkled fingers. In abort, es she thus discovered in detail how com. pletely the Marquis was made up, she was gradu- ally led on to the conclusion that insteed of a man in the prime of life who was thus entreatiug her love, it was an old man whose age exceeded sixty. Yet this discovery was socompanied by no sensation of disgust; for, in the frst place, it came upen her gradually~and in the second place, his bearing’ was eo gentlemanly, his manners so polished, hie demeanour so kind, that if he had presented himeelf as a friend she would have been quite prepared to take a liking tohim. And then too, his person conveyed the idea of the most scrupulous cleanliness and the most fastilious nicety ; eo that notwithstanding all the artifices and succedanecus contrivances which were so skil- fully combined for the purpose of knocking off twenty years in his appearance, there was naaght to mapire a feeling of loathiag and disgust for the Marquis of Cresee::tino. “You have fraukly made certain proposals, my lord,” said Floribel; “ead I will as frankly tell you that I am propared to take them into con- sideration. I give you no definite answer now— but to-morrow you shall hear from me.” “I bow to your will and pleasuro,” responded the courteous nobleman, rising from his seat. “Yos—I yield submiosively: but, Ob! it will be with suspense and impatience, 6o far ae i myself am concerned! In the meantime is thore any- thing I can do to serve you or to save you the slightest trouble ? You may command me. Make me your banker—-your messenger--your escort— or your lacquey—and I shall be happy! And even if your decision should to-morrow prove un- favourable, at least suffer me to continue your friend.” ‘I am really touched by your kindness,” re- joined Floribel; “and I wish that I had some setvies which your lordsbip could render me in order to prove that I do not hesitate tu appeal tu youe friendship Bat thore is none, You shall hear from me to-morrow, my lord.” The well-bred aud gallant old nobleman took Floribel’e hand—bent down and just touched it with bis lips—and then with alow bow quitted the apartment. Again did Floribel give way to her reflections on the incidents of the morning; and with a amile of triumph upan her lips, she murmured, “I may now take my chvive amongst four persons! There ie Captain St. Didier, with his handsome face and medioere means: there is the Baron von Frigi- burgh, with his odours of tobacco, his self-aufii- ciency, aud bie well-filled purse: there is tho Marquis with his well-bred air, his riches, and Oo COnmniclooe® SS CO