Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 93: what you’re looking at

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278 of vour honour and integrity, of your excelent , principles and high mindedness, I need not Bay that I hope you will respect that oath as devoutly as if it were sworn with your hands placed upon the breasts of the veritable corpses of the deceased patriots !” “ Whatever I have undertaken to perform, shall be accomplished!” said De Vere. “Life is sweet, my Jord; and in-order to save mine J have ac- cepted the conditions which you had the power to impose.” “And you have acted wisely,” said the Mar- quis. “T know,” rejoined Charles, with a look expres- sive of fervid gratitude, “that to your lordship and Father Falconara I am indebted for my life ” “ Aye—and to the Countess di Milazzo also,”’ said the Marquis emphatically. A slight blush crossed the beautiful countenance of the Italian lady: but instantaneously regaining her sclf- possession, she said in her usual composed, placid manner, “Come with me, Signor De Vere. | I am about to put you to the test. You are to! obey the orders of your superiors; and the Mar- guis of Ortona will now tell you that you are to receive these orders frum my lips,” * Assuredly 60,” said the Marquis. Charles bowed an acknowledgment of tho autho- rity; and he followed the Countess from the cham- | ber where the waxen effigies lay. She led him alung the passage: they reached the staircase— | the Countess grasped the bandle attached to the | wheel fixed sgainet tho wall of masonry—and as she turned that whee), the moveablo part of the | floor was seen tu open overhead. They ascended ; and once more was he in the apartment lighted by the lamp fed with perfumed oil. “You will remain here for a few minutes—will you uot?” said the Countess, with an amiable siile. Charles bowed an assent ; and the lady left tho apartment, Our hero might now escape if he thought fa:—he had nothing to do but to open that door and juin the crowd of guests, amongst whow ho might find some whose aid he could in- | voke to save bim from recapture by any of the desperado band: er he might escape by the win- dow. But no!—ho dared do nothing of all this: : the oath which ho had taken withheld him~and | he was tuo honourable to viviate it! | In a few minutes the door opened, and tho two sisters mado their appearance. The Countess di AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. will be iu any way outraged,” answered the Prin- She led him forth from the apartment : thoy descended the staircase, and reached the little ves- tibulo which Charles had first entered on his ar- rival at the palace. “You are about to see the police-agent,” said the Princess ; “and you may truthfully inform him that your visit to me this evening has delayed your departure, but that you are fully determined to set off at midaight~—for which purpose you empower him to order a postchaise to come and take you up here. Your luggage can bo sent from tho hotel; and my steward shall call there in the morn- ing to defray the expenses you may havo con- tracted ” Charles now bitterly repented that ho had taken the oath; and he could not avoid a gesture and an expression of vexation. The Princess flung upon him a glance of inquiry. “TI have acted foolishly, signora!” be said ; “‘and your Highness’s sister has played her part with a policy which has successfully outwitied me.” “What mean you P” inquired the Princess. “I mean,” responded Charles, with bitterness in hig acconfs, “that the visit of this police-ayent to your palace to inquire for me, might have been the means of my safety and rescuo—and J ought to have availed myself of the incident. have played my cards badly !” “T hesitate not to confess,” said the Princess, “that the visit of this agent might have been most embarrassing for us.” © Yes!” exclaimed our hero; “for he would have insisted upon seeing me—hoe would have taken no excuse—you must have produced me— and then I could have at onoe claimed his ‘protec tion !” “You need not be angry with yourself,” avid the Princess calmly: “for you could not have acted more prudently than you have done. No doubt the incident was embarrassing; but you are wrong to think that we should have produced you. No!—we would rather have iucurred any risk than bave placed ourselves so completely in your power. Repine not at the course you have adopted; for you have assuredly saved your life thereby.” The Princess of Spartivonto spoke with a calm confidence blended with a gracious condescension ; and her voice was full of a golden harmony. We have already said that she was of a graud aud Milazzu at once descended into tho subterranean, | striking beauty; hor age was only twenty-six ; the moveable part or the floor closing over her and it must havo been difficult for any young manu head ; while the Princess di Spartivento said, with to gaze upon her without tonder emotion. Equally of mingled condescension and affability, * Bo yo kind as to give me your arm.” Charles at once complied with this request, aud | the Princess, leaning lightly on bis arm, said, “My sister is compelled to rejoin the conclave below ; but she bas informed me exactly how mat- ters stand—and therefore instead of taking your instructions from hor lips, you will be so good aa to receive them from wine.” “ Provided that they are consistent with the con- ditions of the compact,” replied our hero; “ and that thoy enjoin the performance of nothing repug- nant to my feelings.” “Fear not that your opinions or sentiments Gifficult were it for an admirer of the fair sex to contemplate her sister the Countess without sense of fascination. But Charlus Do Vero passing through the ordeal without the slightest infidelity tu the image of his beloved Agnes. It should however be mentioned that the locke of the Princess of Spartivento were as replete with modesty as those of ber sister had been. “Now,” said the Princess, when that little col- loquy in the vestibule was ended, “ we will repair to the room where tho police-agent is waiting your appearance,” She opened the door: they proceeded along ..- passage which led into the great hall of the muan- MICLOO CONMIG S CO