Agnes Vol. 2 — page 121: what you’re looking at

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

112 The quadroon flung a look of indignation upon him for a moment; and then suddenly altering tho expression of her countenance, she said, “Ob, signor! have mercy! have mercy !” “My dear young lady,” anawered the Mayor, whose naturally bumane heart was again moved towards that superbly handsome quadroon, “I beseech you to tranquillize yourself, I am a father—I have sons and daughters—and I would not willingly inflict pain upon anybody. I am now only doing my duty; and if I performed it not, I myself should be called ¢o an account. I! beseech you, therefore, not to harbour ill-will towards me! young lady, how I can execute thie most un- ploasant duty in the way least annoying to your- self; and you have only to express your wishes to find them fulfilled.” “Oh, signor!” said the quadroon, drawing her kerchiof across her magnificent eyes, “you are really good and generous—and I am not ungrate- ful! Oh, no! believe me, I am not ungrateful ! But my poor husband—if he be informed before- band " “ ‘Why need he be informed P” asked the Mayor, “TI had the misfortune to conduct a relative of mine to. @ madhouse some six or eight months avo—I pretended that I was going to take him on a visit of pleasure—he was delighted— On the contrary, tell me, dear | ACGiNES; OR, REAUTY AND PLRASURE. my poor husband perfectly wild. He has all the spirit of an Englishman—be cannot bear to be interfered with! So long as he finds in you— which of course he must do—an agreeable travel- ling-~ocompanion-——”’ Here the Mayor bowed complacently. “ He will be as quiet and as tractable,” con- tinued the quadroon,—“ aye, and as lucid and us intelligent as you could possibly wish. T'-.:’Only just let a sbirro approach bim—or ever let him so much as catch a glimpse of a police-uniform whiie journeying along the road~-and I will not answer for the coneequences!”’ “ Well, signora,” said the magistrate, “ all this is very easily managed. He shall not ase these sbirri~we will travel with the silken blinds of the chaise drawn down———” “ Oh, signor, if you will do all this,” ejaculated Emily, with a look of the most fervid gratitude, “ averything will be well !” If I may rely apon you to conduct the matter as woe have suggested, so far.as your part is con- cerned,” rejoined the magistrate, “ you may rely upon me. I will begin by giving you a proof :’ —then turning towards the sbirri, he said, “ Go and conceal yourselves behind that clump of trees ; and jet the chaise draw close up to the door.” The police-officiala disappeared through tho casoment; and the magistrate, then addressing Ab, 1 comprehend !”’ ejaculated the quadroon | the quadroon very seriously, went on to say, “ I “A thousand, thousand thanks for this kind sug- reation ! aeart ! uliiete me “ Name, name it, my dear young lady!” said ' he magistrate. “You see that I am fertile in| Oh, you have lifted a burden from my But, Ah! there is yet something which , taken love of a wife, you scek to effect your hus- do not wish to insult you, signora: heaven forbid! But permit me to remark that if with the mis- band’s escape ” “Signor!” interrupted the quadroon, drawing up her fine tall form in the most dignified manner | ‘xpedionts ; and theso officers are really excellent ‘I am incapable of repaying so much goodness on ellowa— good-hearted—and merciful in the exer- your part with so black a treachery! In threo ‘ise Of their duties. They will show every indul- | minutes my husband shall stand in your presence. rence.” | Yea—three minutes are suflicient for me to prepare “The truth 1s, signor,” murmured Emily, in a! him to expect that he is going on a pleasure jaunt, oroken voice, “I never, never could travel with | with a friend who has conceived a kind interest in ny poor dear husband to Florence — knowing | us both. Le ie fortunately in one of his mild, ibat his ultimate destination must be a lunatic- ductile humours—he will believe anything I tell ssylum fi bim 7 “ By the saints, signora! this is easily managed !” * Not another word, signora!” interrupted the ‘esponded the magistrate. “ Can you cuntrive to magistrate. “I have the fullest feith tn every- mtice your hueband into that vehicle P I myself thing you tell me. Go, and take your time in vill conduct him to Florence; and he need not , telling whatsoever tale with which you may deem ee that these officers take their station behind the haise,”” Emily appeared to reflect for a few moments ; ind then she said, as if with the sudden eagerness f one who clutched at the best alternative whick was suggested, “ Yes, I can do so !” is expedient thus innocently to beguile your un- fortunate husband.” Emily Barrington flung another look of grati- tude upon the Mayor, and issued from the room by the door communicating with the passage, and not by the one which led into the apartment where “Very good,” said tho magistrate. “Then why | Charles De Vere was now most anxiously awaiting fannot you fullow in the course of the day? I: iuppose you tnean to proceed to Florence, to watch ; wer your husband’s interests P”’ “ Oh, yes! Oh, you!” cried Emily. hus arranged !’—then grasping ‘he magistrate’s sand, she pressed it with the utmost fervour. There, there, mpoor young lady! You see ve are managing this unpleasant business in the est manner possible! Novy, is there anything lee which we can do for your comfort or satis. action P’”’ Emily again reflected for a few moments; and hen she said, “I will cell you frankly, signor. ‘he aigut of a police: official in his uniform drives her presence. Yes—most anxiously ; for he had overbeard every syllable of this colloquy between the quadroon and the Mayor, and he had failed “ Lot it be ; not tv comprehend the project which hia dusky- complexioned friend had conceived on his behalf. In a fow moments he heard the three gentle taps given at the door; and the next instant Emily was in his presence. She placed her finger upon her rich red lip: her eyoa were luminous with an expression of arch traumph. “TI have heard aN!” hastily whispered Charles. “avo I rightly understood——” ; “Yos,” she resyuvdod in the same low hurried fone as that in which he had spoken. ‘You see COMIC OOOKS.COM