Agnes Vol. 2 — page 131: what you’re looking at

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

122 glad to render you my assistance. Now then, Carlotta, to the point !” “The fomale turnkey Gudalla will be here presently,” proceeded the young damsel; “and if you signify to her your desire to pay your devo- tions in tho chapel, the request will be immedi- ately conveyod to my father, and his reply will be in the affirmative.” “ But bow will this serve your purpose P” asked Ciprina. “ Because my mother, who is a great devotee and is very fon’ of compelling me to attend the chapel as often as possible, will be sure to throw out a hint to the effect that I should do well to be present with you, as you are a newly arrived prigoner———” “In short, my dear Carlotta,” interrupted Ci- prina, “vou are so sure of being enabled to manage the point with yaur father, that -it is needless for us to discuss it. Well then, so much the better! But now give me your con- fidence entirely—and tell me how the final ar- rangements are to be carried out for your libera- tion.” “Yes—I will tell you everything,” exclaimed Carlotta. “The plan is wonderfully ingenious ; and yet, my dear friend, J am afraid you will laugh when If oxplain it—you will thiuk it very ridiculous ~—~and really 1 wuet confess that it ia buat little consistent with the policy and romance of a love- affair.” “No matter, my dear Carlotta,” said Ciprina, * provided the desired end can be attained. You are su difident and timid! Do speak out! What is this plan that has been devised ?” “Perhaps you may have noticed,’ continued tue young damsel, “ the mode in which the bread is brought into the fortress 7” ~iprina started—and she was suddenly seized with a violent inclination to burst out laughing ; a? for a suspicion of Carlotta’s meaning had flashed | She however kept her counte- | IT was about twenty diinutes to two o'clock wh upon her mind. nanoe as she said, Yes-—I have observed that tho bread is brought into the castle in enormous panniers or baskets.” “ And it isin one of those baskels,” rejoined Carlotta, “that I presently hope tu pass through the gates of the fortress.” “Ah!” said Ciprira: but she now experienced no inclination to laugh:~—on the contrary, sbe reflected profoundly for nearly a minute. “Then I suppose,” she at length said, ‘that everything is arranged with the bakers who bring in the bread ?” “Yes —everything,” responded Carlotta. “To tell vou the truth, my dear Ciprina, it is one of those men who has served as an intermediary of corresp ndence between Sir Alexander and my- solf. I think you now understand -——”’ “T understand everything >” interjected Ciprina. “ But at what bour dues Father Falconara attend in the chapel ?” “At about a quaster before two. He enters the confessional at orth that is to say, if there be any person present who desires his sacred ministrations. It will be necessary for me to go AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEAm KE. seem strange to the old sextoness. Besides, the ceremony, 80 far as I am concerned, will bo over just about two o'clock ou ” “ Enough, my dear Carlotta!” interrupted Ci- prina: “I comprehend it all!—the plan is most admirably arranged!—and it cannot possibly fail to succeed! Most cheerfully shall I assist you <u the extent that you require.” Tne young damsel threw her arms about Ci- prina’s neck, and embraced her fervently. “T must now loave you,” she-said; “Cudulla will be here almost immediately —and you must make your request in reference to the chapel. It ia close upon one o'clock,” added Carlotta, look- ing at ber watch. “In another hour " “Yn another hour,” rejuined Ciprina, “ you will be thinking of a speedy meeting with an ardent ‘lover.”’ Carlotta Bellano flung a look of gratitude upon her new friend, and then issued forth from the cell. Shortly after one o relock the rough-voiced Gu- dulla made her appearance, followed by another female turnkey bearing Ciprina’s dinner; and then the captive proffered the demand in reference to the chapel. “T will sev that your wish is at onco convered te the Governor, Number Thirty,” answered Gu- dalla, who was now exceedingly polite and cervil after her own fashion to Ciprina, because she had seen that the beautiful captive was in favour with the Governor's daughter. CHAPTER XXL THE BASKET. Carlotta Belluno returned to the cell of her friend Ciprina. The young lady had thrown on a species of mantilla, or cloak, with a hood fringod with a deep black lace, which might serve as a veil in case of need. She had also secured about her person tho articles of jewellery which she possessed ; and ad she entered the cull, Ciprina immediately perceived that she had been weeping. “ Do you repent the step which you are about to take, Carlotta ?” she inquired. “Ob, wo! no!” responded the young damsel fervently. “ But still, my dear friend, it wis a painful, thing for me to leave my father and mother in such a way-~then to fling a last look as it were upon my homet, Ah, Ciprina! you cannot be surprised if I felt all thig, ‘and if for an instant I was overpowered by- tha. Miglewes: ‘of my go>. tions !”’ i¢ will not then seen. - singular if I quit the chapel without waiting for “Yes, Carlotta, it was natural}?--replied Gi prina. “But now you are courageous——" “Oh, yes!—courngeous and resolute!” was the answer. “And, Ah! my dear friend, whet an immense debt of gratitude shall I owe you!” ‘Do not speak of it. I shall miss you, dear through fhe ceremony first, because it is always! Carlotta!—but still I have every reason to hope my customs to do so when I uccompany any female | that my own sojourn here will not be a lengthy | prisoner iuty the chapel; and if I were on this | ono, and we shall perhaps soon meet again. ” occasicn tu deviate from the rule, 16 would | “Qb, what happiness ‘that would bel” ejacu- o) OO ( SS