Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 79: what you’re looking at

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964 certain weapons of defence against you. This I did ; and I rejoice at my prudence and forethought. Now tell me whether I may not defy your threats ! For if it should ever-come to the knowledge of my cousin Agnes that Floribel Lister and the Signora Ciprina were one and the same person, I shall at once take it for granted that you, Hector Hardress ~either directly or indirectly, either anonymously or in an open and avowed manner—communicated the fact. And then, by way of reprisal, I shall proclaim to the world how the Hon. Mr. and Mrs. Hardreas made together an infamous compact, by virtue of which the busband was suffered to woo me as his migtress, while the wife obtained leave and license to bestow her favours upon Charles De Vere!” While Filoribel was thus speaking, the very individual whom she last mentioned—namely, Charles Do Vere himself—opened the door of the apartment. He stopped short on the threshold, transfixed with an amazement amounting almost to stupefaction at the words which came from Floribel’s lips;—and we should add that his presence remained unnoticed, as the opening of the door had been previously unheard, by Hector Hardress and the young lady. ‘These threats shall not serve you!” exclaimed Hector, furious with rage and maddened with the passion which the spectacle of Floribel’s charms had inspired him with in the morning. “You shall be mine! you shall be mine!” He sprang forward—he seized her in his arms: but the next instant Charles De Vere rushed in to afford his succour. He tore Floribel from Hector’s grasp; and upon the young patrician himself did our spirited hero bestow a buffet which sent him recling to the opposite side of the apartment. Fioribel sank down fainting upon the floor; for the sudden excitement of the scene had over- powered her. Fortunately at that moment Lady Holcroft made her appearance. She had just re- turned to the hotel after her marriage with the Baronet: she was coming to announce the joyous intelligence to Floribel; and she therefore just arrived at the very nick of time to render those succours which women can best afford under such circumstances. “Myr. De Vere,” said Hector Hardress, walking straight up to our hero and speaking in a low hvarse voice, “ you bave insulted me, sir !”” “Vastard that you are!” responded Charles ; “if was you who first insulted her who now lies inanimate there! Sut this is not the place for disputing. You may hear of me at the Hotel de l'Europe. My time is valuable—heaven knows how valuable !—but I wi remain in Turin for a little time longer than I originally intended, that I may again have an”opportunity of chastising you.” “And this time,” rejoined Hector, with deep bitterness in his accents, and with a look full of concentrated rage, “the ground shall not be left until one shall have succumbed! I¢ shall bea duel-unto the very death !” With these words Hector Herdress hastened from the room. Floribel was already returning to Gconsciousness: she caught those words that were thus uttered: they smote hg comprehension in a moment. “ A thousand, thousand thanks, dear Carlotta !" | man named Charles De Vere. AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. she said, speaking in Italian: then springing up to her feet, she turned towards De‘Vere, saying in the English tongue, “ Charles, is it possible that you intend to fight a duel on my account ?” “I wish to epeak to you on most tmportant tub- ects, Floribel,” said: our young hero, evasively. “Pray get.rid of Lady Holcroft for a few mi- nutes.” “Carlotta, my dear friend,” said Floribel, now quickly turning again towards the bride, “ leave me with Signor De Vera——”’ “One word!—only one word,” whispered Car- lotta; “and I leave you! Ob, I am supremely happy! I can now look the world in the face! I am merried !” ** Married P’ echoed Floribel, half in amaze- ment and half in credulity. *Yes—it is so, I can assure you!” ejaculated Carlotta, though in a whispering voice. ‘ Mar- ried by the priest, and married by the chaplain ! But I will tell you all about it prosently, my dear friend. Ab! what was that rude person who has just left, doing that you fainted ?” “Tin my turn,” rejoined Floribel, “ will tell you everything presently. Meanwhile accept my sin- ceresé congratulations, Lady Holoroft—for it de- lights megthus to call you!” The warm-hearted Carlotta kissed Floribel on the cheek, and then hastened from the room. The moment the door closed behind her, Floribel said to De Vere, “Excuse me for a few minutes, Charles. Iam overpowered by my feelings—I muat retire for a brief spaco to my chamber! I will rejoin you again.” “J will await your return, Floribel,” said our hero, taking a seat. The young lady proceeded to her own chamber; and thero flinging herself upon a sofa, she pressed her hands in anguish to her brow, exclaiming, “ A duel on my account! No, no! heaven forbid ! But how to prevent itP Ah! a thought strikes me!’ ‘ She opened her writing-desk, and hastily penned the following linea :— = - “I promised that you should hear from mo: T have thought well of all you said, and I fee) that I oan love you. But you must give me a prompt and immediate proof of tho love which you have avowed. A duel is meditated between two young Englishmen ; and the quarrel has arisen on my account, I will explain everything when we mect, Meanwhile, believe me when I assure you that it was through no imprudence, nor coquetry, nor folly on my part that this serious complication has arisen. You must likewise un- derstand that I have the most urgent reasons for desiring that this duel shall not take place. You must prevent it—and I will tell you how. Uso your influence to procure the immediate arrest of the Hon. Hector Hardress, on the ground that he meditatesa hostile encounter with another English- I believe that Hardress is staying at this hotel: De Vero is at the Hotel de l'Europe. At the same timo thut Hector Hardrese is arrested, let an intimation be sent to De Vero commanding him to quit the Sardinian territory forthwith. Fulfil my demand and I am your’s!” ™ Floribel sealed the letter and addressed it to oO comicboo S C©