Agnes Vol. 2 — page 124: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURR. 1s to you, that I am an attaché to tho British Embassy at Naples when I state my name to be Charles De Vere.” “This is most true,” said the Ambassador “there cannot de the slightust doubt of it. Bu what has bappened to you, Mr. Do Vere P—fo; inat_now I had the proprictor of the hotel where 4 you took up your quarters, calling in the greatest ‘tribulation—not knowing what had become of “yoy.” «"]nthis is indced a history which I have pre sently for your Excollency’s ears,” answered Charles. “In the meantime let us get rid of this worthy man—who certainly has played a very kind part, and to whom [I lie under an immensity of obligation.” The village Mayor was now given to understand that it was really a Mr. De Vere, and not a Mr. Barrington, whom he had brought to Florence. Ho was at first exceedingly angry; he vowed that ho had been grossly duped—that he would apply to the Ministers, and even to the Grand Duke hirnself, if necessary, in order to obtain justice: but the British Ambassador very soon gave him to understand that his threats were of little avail --while Charles, taking him aside, significantly whispored that if he stirred any farther in the business he would only becomo the laughing-stock of everybody and cover himself with ridicule. This was the most cogent argument that could be adduced to tranquillize the Mayor, inasmuch as it appealed direct to hia pride and vanity; and he wound up the scene by imploring that our hero would place the seal of silence upon hie lips, and forbear from making a joke of the matter. Charles promised everything calculated to appease the crestlullon Mayor; and this functionary took his departure, utterly bewildored as to the motives which could have led to the extraordinary choat of which he had been rendered the victim. CHAPTER XX, CARLOTTA. We havo alluded to the Signora Carlotta Belluno ; but we have not, as it were, formally introduced our readors to this young lady. We have said that sho was a nice-looking girl, about sixteen years of age, and posacasing a8 figure which had all the justness of proportion without the voluptuous fulness of her mother’s shape. She had light harr, which was of an exceedingly silky contexture, and very luxuriant. She had blue eyes, and delicate features ; the expression of her countenance was agreeable, without being particularly intelligent : she seemed a good-natured creature, inexperienced, simple, and confiding. She stood in tho greatest awe of her parents—but most especially of her futher, who was a veritablo domestic tyrant. In- deed, Captain Belluno had a very mediocre opinion of the integrity of womankind ; while bis wife, Signora Belluno—perbape judging by her- aelf—thought that the less license that was given tu her daughter the better. The consequence was that between the two, the poor gi‘l was almost as much a Prisoner a8 any other capt.ve in the fort- ress of Bayuv; aud even when she did pass beyund the gates, it was only under the strict guardian- ship of hor parents. As for going out alone, it was an absolute impossibility. Thus poor Car- lotta Belluno did not lead the blithesat existence in the world. Although Bagno was a small place, there were several genteel families living there and in the im- modiate neighbourhood ; and as the Italians are very fond of company, it happened that evening parties, balls, and conpersaziones prevailed at Bagno as well as anywhere else. A couple of Koglish families were settled there ; and though their object was to economize, yet they in their poverty were actually rich, in com@rison with the generality of their mighbeure alt they gave fro: quent entertainments. Captain Belluno was very tund of cards and good suppers; and thorefure ho seldom missed being at the gay assemblies which were given in the town. His wife frequently ac- companied him—his daughter always; fag these were the only occasions on which poor Carlotta injoyed the slightest shadow of liberty, and could fur an hour or two hold herself emancipated from hat species of passive coercion which was exer- ised over her. We have explained how Ckarlas Do Vere was consigned to the particular comptrtment of the ‘ortress-prison to which he was allotted : we have lhown likewise how he escaped : but we have not as ‘ot seen how Ciprina endured her own captivity, xr what treatment she experieneed. The reader as already learnt that Ciprina and Florib1 Lister were one and the same person: but perhaps we ad better—at least for the present—continue to ‘all her by that name which for some time past he had chosen to assume. When separated from Charles De Vere in tho restibule of the castle, Ciprina was conducted ‘brough one of the three doors opening from that ‘estibule-—thence along a pasasge into a court- ‘ard surrounded by buildings. Here she was con- ngned to the charge of a matron—an olderly female, with a weather-beaton countenance, a form hat looked as if it would bave served for a grona- dier, and a voice as rough and as hourse as if she had been bawling for three or four hours from the op of the castle in order thereby to carry on a ‘onversalin with her friends in the town. In ‘bis compartment of the fortress, as well as in that to which Charles De Vere had been consigned, there was an array of doors com- municating with an equal number of cells; and those doors were duly numbered. Ciprina was Number Thirty by name; and it was into a corresponding cell that she was now conducted. The matron pursued towards Ciprina just the iame course which Roderigo the turnkey had adopted towards De Vero: namely, insisting that ihe should give up whatsoever valuables, money, 1 papers she might have about her person. Ciprina was likewise informed that she would be allowed to take exercise in the yard at such imes as no other prisoner should be there; and nasmuch as there were only two female captives besides herself in the compartment, sho saw that she should not be very much restricted in this respect, Lastly the matron observed to her that here was an excellent chaplain who would visit her if she thuught fit; and Ciprina replied that EOMRniicooolkxs