Agnes Vol. 2 — page 102: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OB, BHAUTY AND PLEASURE, 93 “We are speaking within four walls,” resumed Lucrezia,-—‘ beyond which nothing can transpire. and within which no voices but our own can be heard. But still you must not suppose that it is through any fear of your ulterior measures that I am making propositions or seeking to come to terms. Nothing of the sort! I bave naught to ap- prebend. But at the same time if is odious and horrible to be thus at war with one’s fellow: oreatures !” ‘ Yes — odious and horrible,’ said Marcellin. ut if I were disposed to accapt either of your iaddebip’ propositions—what guarantee can you offer Wit”? “ Wied prarenies do you require or demand ?” asked Lucréja eagerly. “In the firsé place,” responded Edgar, “ that you summon the girl Antonia hither so that I may at once receive a proof of your good faith and friendly intentions, by hearing you proclaim your forgiveness of any grievances, real or imagi- nary, which yéu may have against her.” “Ah! that is quigkly done!’ ejaculated the Marehioness. ‘I will hasten and fetch Antonia hither !” ‘But why not ring one of these bells ?” de- manded Edgar. “It would be her business to respond to such a summons.” ° Lucrezia looked confused; and she rapidly sought in her mind for some pretext or excuse in this new emergency which, had just arisen. “Ah!” anid Marcellin; ‘“I see that I cannot trust you! At the very moment when I was about to yield to your overtures for peace, you refuse me that slight and simple proof of your good faith which it is so necessary for me to acquire under existing circumstances !” ‘“No~I do not refuse that proof of my good faith !” ejaculated the Marchioness. “ But I will deal frankly with you; and then you shall judge whether these overtures of mine. are made in ear- nest or otherwise !” ° “ Yes—let us deal frankly with each other !”’ replied Marcellin ; ‘‘ for heaven knows there has been tvo much dissumulation and underground work—too much mining and counterminiug ” “And all this shall cease!’ oried Lucrezia, while joy went on expanding in her heart as she fancied that each succeeding moment afforded an additional proof of Edgar Marcellin’s willing- pess to conclude a treaty of peace. “ The only reason why I hesitated in respect to Antonia, is this—that she is in my boudoir !’’ “Let us ring all the a interjected Mar cellin: “some one else will anSwer the summuns —and then we will send for Antonis. Ab, by seaven | even thi8 proposition does not please you! —a shade comes over your countenance! Now, will you etill have me believe that you are dealing Tankly, and that you wish for peace P” “Ob, leap not to such hasty conclusions!” ‘ried the Marchioness. “I really mean to deal rankly—as I hope that you likewise do! Ina vord, therefore, Antonia is locked in my bou- Oir——-"” “ Ab !” ejaculated Edgar. ‘ And the key ?” “JT have it about my person,” was the re- sponse. “Thea, as an additional guarantee,” said Mar- rellin, whose handsume countenance now under: went a sudden change, “ you must permit me to bind you.” “To bind me ?”’ echoed the Marchioness, in ac- cents of affright. “‘'Yes—to bind you!” repeated Edgar. “It is & mere ceremony—an idle furm—quite harmless, you know !”—-and while thus speaking, he was taking forth shawls and kerchiofs from Ciprina’s drawers, Allin a moment the Marchioness darted forth from the chamber, her object being to rush to- wards the outer door of the suite and make her escape from Edgar Marcellin’s power. But quick as lightning was the young Frenchman upon her track : he seized upon her-—he dragged her back into that chamber from which she had sought to flee. Her countenance was white with rage : it was a look of demoniac wickedness which she bent upon Edgar Marcellin. Oh! then indeed ‘she seemod to be of a fearful beauty—the personifica- tion of all the worst passions that are known to the human heart,—~as on that memorable night when she stood before Ciprina in the portrait- gallery, with the dagger in ber hand and the bleeding form of Edgar Marcellin at her feet. But the young Frenchman reckod not for her vindictive regards; and brandishing the iron weapon in a menacing manner, be commanded her to kneel. She was now afraid !—yes,, once again she was full of the direst apprehension; for there was the light of a firm and resolute purpose shining in the handsome eyes of Edgar Marcellin. He proceeded to bind her wrists behind her back with Ciprina’s kerchiefs: but he bound her not in such a manner as actually to hurt her: his object vas simply to render her powerless for a certain ime. He then fasteped her in such a manner to a solid marbie pillar belonging to an alcove, that ihe could not reach the bell-pull. Having thus aken his measures 80 far as fhe security of the Marchioness wes concerned, he searched in her pocket for the key of her bouduir ; and on finding it, he said, “ You will be wise if you follow the counsel which I have to give; and this is, that ou attempt not to raise any alarm—for I shall not be very far distaut nor very long absent; and ‘f cries so reach ty eare, depend upon it I shall urry back quickly and show you no mercy.” Edgar Marcellin then proceeded into the antes ‘vor, closing the intermediate doors in order the more effectually to drown the cries of the Mar- ‘hioness in case she should disregard his warning. ~assing forth by the outer door of tho suite, he ocked it behind him, securing the key about ia person. He thence procveded straight to sucrezia’s buudoir: for not merely had he been 0 that boudoir before, on the night when he pos- essed himeelf of the garments and the pistol, but moreover he was intimately acquainted with all he principal turnings and windiugs of the man- jon, thanks to the information which he had ‘eceived from Lisetta in London. In a few mo- ments he reached the bouduir of the Marchioness, having fortunately encountered no one on the way. The key which he had taken from about he person of Lucrezia, proved to be that which he had required; and thus in another moment he found himeelf in the presence of Antonia. The young girl gave utterance toa cry of joy as ene bounded towards him; and if it worqstified some- ECOMRRICLO© SS