Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 74: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASSTRE, « Fuough!?” ejaculated Carlotta. “If you do pot marry nie, it must be because you intend sume day or ancther to ecparate from me. I will not wait “fort misery 1—I shall be constantly living /$n suspense With the knowledge that the fatal day youst eooner or later coine! Answer me therefore, Alosander ;—for though it will be death for me to tear myself away——” “Then do ngt, do not think of such a thing!” ejaculated the Buronet,— much less talk of it ! Come, Carlotta—resolve to make yourself happy (o make mo happy likewise !” She scomed to hesitate: her bosom heaved and sank convulsively—the colour went and camo in rapid transitions on hor countenance —and her eveiids quivered as if tears were about to gush forth, Dut suddenly her strength of mind becaine uppermost; and that young lady so ingenuous and go incxpcerienced—eo artless that her conduct had often seemed to be characterized by a girlish silli- ness-—developed a powerfuiness of purpose which astonished her libertine seducer, “It is death, I repeat, to part!” she cried: “ but it shall bo death rathor than a prolonged dishvnoutr ! Fareweil, Alexander !” She wes hastening to the door, when it opened with violence; and her father, foiloWed by? the young pri-st Falconara and a middle-aged gentle- man cressed in black, entered the room! Carlotta shricked: her first impulse was to fly into ber in'her’s arms—but reoullecting her degraded posi- tion, she sank down at his feet, exclaiming, “Perdon! pardon!” “Daughter,” said Captain Belluno, “am I to welcome you as an honourably wedded wife? or ami (o lcok upon you as a dishonoured creature ?” ile puused for a few moments: Carlotta only an- swered by eobs as she clung to her father’s knees ; and then ho said, “Ah! all thig is eloquent enough: It only speaks too strongly of your deyradation! Rise, girla-rise! You havo yet a ehance of being enabled to look the world in the face, without a blush upon your cheeks!’ Sir Atesuuder Dolercit. was startied and even afiehted by tho sudden appearance of Carlotta’s fotl +, accompanied by the young priest and the micdle-aged siranger, Whoever he might be: but quickly fingivg a wental glance over the whole procecding in reapeeé tu the young lady, ho felt that he was sate {rom any viher species of mischief beyond that of a mere provocation toa ducl. He therefore saw tho necessity of assuming a de- mennour of haughty self-pussession: but he spoke nuts word. He waited until the visitors should explain their purpose. Carlotta rose from her suppliant posturo before her father; and covering her blushing cheeks with hor hands, she sank upon a sola, “Sir Alexander Holcroft,” said Captain Belluno, | walking straight up to the Baronet, “is it your) intentiun to cspouse my daughter f” “That is a question, signor,” responded the | Baronet, “ which had perhaps better be discussed between you and me alone.” 259 mean to do nothing of the sort in respect to my own life,” Carlotta’s mind was relieved; and she retreated to the sofa, on which she sat down again; and now it was with a less horrifiod feeling of suspense that she awaited the issuo of the present scene. “No,” continued her father, “1 do not intend to risk my life on behalf of a worthless daughter—or’ on that of a man whom J. can only regard as a felon unless he consent to make honourable repa- ration and atonement for the injury he has ine flicted,” “A felon?” exclaimed Tolcroft, starting abruptly, while an angry flush came upon his countenance, “Yes—I repeat the word,” said Captain Bel- luno, whose demeanour was stern, sel{-pussessed, and full of confidence, “This language, signor, cannot be permitted,” said the Baronet, “no matter how preat the in. jury I may have done you. Ask your daughter whether I have not treated her with love and ten- dernoss “ “ Have you promised to marry her ?” demanded Bolluno. “It were useless to condescend to a falsehood. You havo already more than conjectured that yoar daughter is not my wife—but J will not do her the injustice to dery that 1t was under a promise of espousal she consented to flee with me.” “Then that promise must be kept,” rejoined Belluno; “or you will submit to the altcrnetive. But again I give you to understand that .t is not a duel to which I purpose to provuke you.” ‘Explain yourself, Captain Kelluno!” said Hol- croft. “ What is this alternativo whereunte you allude P” “The alternative is imprisonment for seven years in the dungeon of a tortress:”—and it was with an indescribable sternness that Belluno pro- nounced these words. “ No, no, father !” cried Carlotta, again springing forward. “I do not wish him to be punished. For all the wrong ho has inflicted upou m®, J would not have a single hair ot bis head injured !” “ Be quiet, girl !” interjected Bellunv sternly, “You need nut prieve on my account, desr Car. lotta,” said Holerott, witha hght laugh. “Itis a mere threat al “ Make nut tuo sure,” interrupted Belluno, “Vain and self-sufficient man!” said Father Faleonara, now for the first time taking a part in the present scene: “ you are like the generality of mortals!—you fancy that your habitation is built upon a solid ruck, when it veriiably rests upon a shifting sand !” Holcroft considered the priest’s words were ominous: but still he was utterly at a loss to com- prehend by what meatus the menace of seven years’ imprisonment could be carried cut ; and banishing the sense of alarm, he said, “I am well enough acquainted with the Tuscan law tu be aware that it 18 no crime to run away with a young lady, pro- vided she of her own accord » consents to be run The idea of a duel flashed to the brain of the | | away with,” unbappy Carlotta; and starting up from her seat,; “A truce to this flippancy!” interposed Father she threw berself betwixt her sire and her seducer, Faleunara, “It ill becomes you, Sr Alexander ex@uiming with passionate vehemence, “Oh! peril Holeroft, to display such want of feeling in the not your lives on my account |” presenco of your victim and of her injuggd parent. “Rest assured,” said her father coldly, “ that I | But let this scene bo brought to an end !” MIGOIOOKSHEO CO