Agnes: A Tale of the Streets — page 97: what you’re looking at

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282 her into the long passage branching off from the hall, and where they might be comparatively alone tovether, “How is it that I find you here?” hoe at once inquired, Floribel blushed—hesitated—and then answered, “Captain St. Didier introduced me,” “Captain St. Didier, Floribel ?? said Charles in a reproachful manner. “And who is Captain St, Didier? what is be to you that he should be inti- mate enough to introduce you hore P” Again did Floribel blush—again did she look confused for a few moments; and then suddenly recovering her self-possession, as well as the forti- tude which was necessary for one in hor false position, she said, “ You have already conjectured in your own mind what Captain St. Didier may be to me; and it is therefore cruel of you to seek to draw out the statement word for word and syllable for syllable from my lips.” “My God, Floribel!” cried Charles, “is it pos- siblo that you are fixed in pursuing a career of- Of a”? “And pray,” she added, with a cold air, “ how is it that I find the very virtuous, delicate, and over- sernpulous Mr. De Vere on the most familiar and intimnte terme with the Princess of Spartivento?” “Bloribel!” he ejaculated, half indignantly, half reproachfally, “It is uscless for you to deny it,” she imme- diately rejoined, in a positivo tone. “ Was not the Princess loaning upon your arw,—her dark eyos bent admiringly upon you—her smiles dis- closing her pearly teeth—her voice of golden har- mony wafting joyous language to your ear——~” ‘he urbanity of a hostess,” interjected Charles, “towards a guest whom she was pleased to distin- guish with more than the usugl honour.” “ Ob, Charles!” cried Floribel, * do you think I am ao ignorant of tho world as to receive for gospel such an explanation as this? At the very outside you could bave only known the Princess of Spartivento two or three hours; and such a de- gree of ixtimacy as that which unquestionably existe botween you———” “I entortained the hope, Floribel,” interrupted Charles, gravely, “that you know enough of me to be convinced 2 “[ have seen so muck of the world,” said Flo- ribel vehemently, “that I believe in nothing which is not fully proven to me, I have told you how I came hither. 1 bavo passed under tho pro- tection of Captain St. Didier; and he begged me to accompany him this evening to this palaca, to which ho has a general invitation. I will te!l you candidly that I was in no particular humour to | Plunge amidst scones of gaiety after the informa- | tion you had given me that Agnes has found a| father aud that I have an uncle living,—a father | whom she must love—an unole whom I must fear ! | I would rather haye remained in the solitude of | my chamber, to reflect upon all these things: but: St. Didier pressed me—and I came. 1 need not tell you, Charles, that people are not ao particular on the Continent as they are in England, and that even in the very best society porsons may find an entrance who would vainly seek tho same privi- lege in our own native land. St. Didier's presen- tation was therefore euflicient ; and £ was suilingly Welcomed by her Highness, 1 have now told you | AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. the truth as it regards myscif. I pray you to be equally candid towards me, and tell me how it is that I find you at the Spartivento palavc, when, as you rightly concluded, 1 thought you were pre- paring to depart from Turin.” “I can give you no other explanation,” re- sponded Charles, “ than that I wae invited hither and I came. If you do oot know enough of my principles to believe that I am incapable of an act of infidelity to Agnes, you must at least have safficient faith in my honour to be assured that I would not pledge my sacred word to a falschood. Bat I swoar to you, most solemnly—by everything I deem sacred—that no impure thought has on- tered my head in reforenco to the Princess of Spartivento, and that the conduct of her Highness towards me has been perfectly consistent with the modesty and dignity of a distinguished lady.” “ T must believe you, Charles !” said Floribel : and then looking round, and lowering hor voices, , sho added, “ Nevertheless, I deem it right to givo you a warning. Although the demeanour of the Princess has hitherto beon correct towards you, yet as a man of the world you cannot do other- wise than mistrust that extreme friendliness of manner which sho was displaying as she leant upon your aym. For my part I have much reason to believe, from whst I have hoard, that she and her sister are two wantons.” “Again this calumny!” montally ejaculated our hero: and theg he asked, “ What reason have you for ontertainit such a belief P” “I will tell vou,” replied Floribel. ‘Some- thing has come to tho ears of tho Sardinian Go- vernment which has induced tho Minister of the Interior to request that Captain St. Didier would institute a wateh over the proceedings in this mansion. He came hither this evening for that purpose ; and he requested me to accompany him the better to guarantes his visit against any sue- Ppicion.” ‘And what is it that tas thus been heard ?” inquired Charles, inwardly agitated and suddenly filled with anxious suspeuse. “It is positive that a great numbor of young mon secrotly visit the palace at night,” said Filo- ribel; “and thorefore tho two sisters must either be gallant ladies who carry on various a'aours, or else they are engaged in a conspiracy. ‘Iieso al- ternatives suggest tho only solution of the mys- tery.” “Ab! is itso?” ssid De Vere, assuming a somo- what careless manner. “ But surely your Captain St. Didier beholds nothing here, in this festive scene, to justify either suspicion P” “No,” rejoined Floribvel. “ But this very even- ing he has managed to introduce a spy into the house. Of course all that I am telling you is perfectly confidential, aad intended only as a friendly warning: but I need not give you such an injunction—for I do indeed think too well of you, after all you have said, to suppose that you would surronder to the wiles and blandishments of the Princess of Spartivento—whiloe as for your en- gaging in a conspiracy, I am sure that such an idea is simpty ridiculous.” w And that spy whom the Captain has intro- duced,” said De Vere,—‘“is ho amongst the a5- sembled eompany P” “Ob, no! Lut I do not exactly know where Comicoooks.com