Agnes Vol. 2 — page 123: what you’re looking at

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

114 AGNES; OR, BRAUTY AND PLEASURE. center seneeniremarerememniieereyiticinris tila pTLA LL They then issued from tho roow together, and au infiatte varioty of subjects ; proceeded by the passage to the apartment where in a guy strain; end every now and thon he the magistrate had remained, This functionary adroitly threw in some compliment to the village rose frum his seat, aud made a polite bow to our fuactionary—who kept on muttering to himeull, herv, —at the same time thiniing to himself, ! “Ah! it is a great pity that this young mart t ye nothing Du! Do Vere responded “Well, really this is an exceedingly handsome : should be given to drinking! ‘that which has turned his brain ; But the greater is the misfor- ' weeks’ subriety in some comfurtable asyluin, by young man! We neither looks like a drunkard nor a lunatic! and with a fow tune; for he is all the more dangerous on that ! will bo as lucid and clear-headed as I am jw y- account!” “So I understand, signor,” said our hero, “ that you have somehow or another formed my wife's acquaintance —and you are going to be kind pnough to take me to Florence—and she is to selt,”’ wt The equipage pursued its way: and ‘at the ex- piration of about an hour it halted to change horses. The Mayor was however cureful not to allow the blinds to be raised ; and the reader may folluw—and you will be our guide in that beau- be well assured that Charles did not express any liful city P” “Tt will afford me the greatest pleasure to act ings. On went tho vehicle agaitt in this capacity, Signor Barrington,” responded the magistrate. “I think we need not delay. I | happen to have a postchaise waiting.” “This is very strange !’’ ejaculated Charles, now assuming as vacant a look as he could possibly | impart to his naturally intelligent countenance ; | “but I bad made up my mind to go to Florence : -] hate this dull neighbourhood ” Well, signor,” said the magistrate, “ we will pet off at ounce. It is just noon—we have pretty nearly twenty-four miles before us—it will take 8 good three hours—and your excellent wife has promised to pack up all your things with the least possible delay, so that she may follow in the course 1f the afternuoo. Are you ready P” “Oh, 1 am ready,” rejoined our hero, with a till better semblance of a vacunt air. “ Ready this poment.”’ Tbe guadroon had stepped aside as if to conceal er tears; but she now dashed her kerchief across er eyes, and turned towards Charles with a iniling face. He threw his arms round her neck : he magistrate, with a delicate discretion, averted is louks, so as not tu embarrass the farewells of he “husband and wife,” as be took them to be; ind our bero whispered in the quadroon’s ear, ‘ Belicve me, my dear friend, vour kindness never, ever shall bo forgotten !” He then quitted her, and followed tho magis- rate through the casement which opened upon he tront garden. They entered the chaise to- ‘ether; aud the pvstilion, who had already ro- eived his instructions, drove rapidly out of the nolosure. The equipage passed the knot of rees where the sbirri were cuncealed, and there hese two officials jumped up behind. “There is certainly a little vacancy in his looks, ifter all,” thought the magistrate to himeclf, as he at by our bero’s side in the chuise :-—then turning owards Charles, he said, “ ‘The sun is vory power: ul, signur, considering the season of the year.” “Very,” replied the young Kuglishman; “and . do not hike it.” “Ob, well,” exclaimed the magistrate, “no- hing can be more easy than to remedy this little patter! Liere! we will pull down the blinds.” Charles ke answer; and the village magis- rate drew dowm the silk blinds accurdingly. Kvery- hing was thus progressing in the mos» favourable aanner in behalf of our hero—indeed to such an xtent that he could scarcely believe in the reality | f the circumstances which had thus transpired in istavour. The Mayor proceeded to chat upon | desire to interfere with his com»anion’s prucoad- another hour passed—and there was a second halt. * Ido not think,” said the magistrate, “ that it is necessary to alight ; for we shall very soon be in Florence.” “T confess that I am rather thirsty,” responded Charles, thinking it prudgpt to sustain hia cha- racter as the drunkard Gustavus Barriugton ; “and I should like a glass of wine. But never mind, since you say we shall soon be in Florenea Then we will have an early dinner or a late lunch; and all the best wines of the hotel shall be placed on the table.” “Ab, yea!” exclaimed the magistrato: “ that will be much better than halting now any longer than is absolutely necessery.” The equipage once more pursued its way: and the nearer it drew to Florence, the moro quickly beat our hero’s heart. At length it rolled into the Tuscan capital: it proceeded thruugh the strects— and it turned into the court-yard of the British Ambassador’s mansion just as the clocks wero chiming half-past three in the afternoon. Tho magistrate drew up the blinds: a lacquey came furward and opened the door; and the Mayor jumped out first, saying, “Come along, my dear friend !—come along !” Charles descended: the sbirri wore keeping themselves out of sight. The magistrate hastily whispered in the ear of the lacquey, “Conduct ua without delay intu the presence of bis Excellency your master, who I hope is disengaged.” The domestic—porceiving that there was some- thing unusual in the affair, and therefure deeming it tu be ono of importance—hastened to comply with the request that was made. LHe conducted Charles and the magistrate into the private cabinet of the Ambassador, simply anuouncing that they had just arrived, and that their business was urgent. “Muay it please your Excellency,” said the villago Mayor, advancing with divers low bows towards the great diplomatic functionary, “ per- mit me to present a fellow-countryman of your's —a certain Siznor Barrington " “Ab!” ejaculated Charles; ‘“ what namo was that which you were pleased to bestow upon me P” * Barrington, forsooth !" answered the Mayor: and then lookimg at the Ambassador, he made n compassiunating sign, as much as to indicate that the young man was not right in his inteliects, “ You never wre more mistaken in your life” said our hero, |“ than you are in respect tc my name. sheers hens I have no card t: present to his Excellen ne put his Excellency van testify ElOOO o) SS ceo