Agnes Vol. 2 — page 134: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. 125 mado prisoners and burried off to the fortress of on topics which disagreeably reminded her of the Bagno. “And now, I presume,” said Holcroft, ‘ that you are anxious to get back to Flurence and trounce this Marchioness of yours as quick as possible P” “Yes,” returned Ciprina ; “my object is to got to Florence without delay. But if you will only follow up your generusity so far as to find me some safo means of reaching the Tuscan capital, I will not ask you to accompany mo further than is necessary.” “J will take you to the nearest town,” replied the Baronet; ‘and there we will procure a post- chaise to convey you to Florence. I have some blank forms wf passports about my person, seve- rally signed by all tho British diplomatists who happen to be scattered about amongst the petty Btates of Italy; and ono of those forms can speedily be filled up to suit your personal appcar- past, she inquired, “Are those English people going to make a long stay at Bagno P” “On the contrary,” replied the Baronet: “I fancy they are going to leave this very day. I should be glad of the opportunity to place you amongst the2—ys;0u would have companionship aod protection to Florence ” “No, no! that could not be!” interrupted Ciprina: “for Mr. Hardress knows me—and so does his wife. However, let us talk on some other |subject. And now tell me candidly, do you love Carlotta Belluno 2?” “TI love her,” anawered the Baronet; “ but not quite so much as 1 was prepared to love a certain Floribel Cliffurd—or Floribel Lister—a_ twelve- month back.” “Ob! we need not refer to that!” exclaimed Cipriva, laughing. “Do talk to me about Car- lotta Belluno! Is it your intentivn to espouse ance. With-that passport no one will dare molest | ber P” you; and ipasmuch as captives making their escnpe from such cofbfortable places as Bagno, do not generally bring away much money with them, if you will permit me to become your banker ” ‘Thts is the s¢cond time, Sir Alexander, that you will have rendered me a pecunmry service,” replied the young lady. “A ycar back—in Naples —you sent mo two thousand guincas. It was under peculiar circumstances —you were revoking | a promise which you had mado—and at the timo I felt somewhat angry—though my position was such that it did not render me eufficiently inde- pendent to refuse your generous gift. Yet you must have thought it very strange that I did not acknowledge it——” “TY acquired the certainty that it was delivered into your band,” answered the Baronet; “ and that was sufficient. Let us speak no more on the eubject. Ah, by the bye! do you happen to have heard what has become gf Theodore Clifford ?” “No,” replied Ciprina, ‘‘ What has happened to him?” “ About three weeks ago—or scarcely so much indced—-for if I recollect right, 1t was in the middle of October—and this is only tho 3rd of November—is it ?”’ “ Yesa—the 3rd," answered Ciprina. what of Clifford ?” “Wo was killed in a duel, in the neighbourhood of London,” returned the Baronet. “ [ read the account ouly two or three days ago in an English paper that was sent me. But it is extraordinary that the very persun who killed him, should also have been at Bagno for the last two or three days—the Hon. Heotor Hardress.” “Ab! Carlotta told me that she mot that gen- tleman, bie wife, and hia sister at the same party the night before last where she likewise met you. But Clifford killed in a duel!—and by Hector Hardress !” ‘‘Yes, It appears it was some dispute at cards —and I don’t exactly know what. Of course, it was a delicate subject ; and I could not touch upon it with Hardress— whom, by the bye, I only know slightly.” “And ev Theodore Clifford is no more!’ said Cipréa, in a low musing tone as abe refi cted on the death of the man who had first seduced her ‘rom the path of virtue: but not chousing to dweil * But “ Really, my dear madam,” rejvined the Baronet, “ this is rather a home-tbrust question : but still, if you insist upon having a reply, I must give it you in terms less satisfactory with respect to pretty Miss Belluno’s hopes and ideas, than you | may have probably anticipated.” “ On the contrary, Sir Alexander,” said Ciprina ; “I was fully prepared to hear that you did not intend to espouse the poor, simple-minded, con- fiding girl. Yet she loves you!—yes, she does indeed love you!” “Very likely, madam,” said Holcroft, coolly. “ If she had not conceived some affection fur me, she would scarcely have consented tu an elupe- ment ; for, as you say, she is simple-minded ~—and I think that her ideas are but little settled on the title or wealth which I may possess.” “It would be a pity, Sir Alexander,” resumed Ciprina, 10 a strain of scrious remonstrance, which was indecd most unusual with her, —“ yes, it would bs a pity, I repeat, to take advantage of that simplc-mindedness — that Jove—that confi- dence ——”’ : ‘ My dear madam,” interrupte§ Holcroft, “ be so good as to recollect that I am devoting all pus- sible interest and attention to your own effuire at the present moment: but I do not, on the other hand, ask you to interfere with mine. Ab! here woare at the town where we shall part cum- pany.” In a few minutes the chaise rolled into the place thus alluded to; and as it was not one through which Ciprina had previously passed, she had no foar of being recognised or molested. Be- sides, even :f she were known, she felt that the presence of one of the superior members of the British Embassy to the Court of Naples, would serve as a Shield and as a protection. The chaise drove up to the principal tavern in the town ; and Ciprina being conducted to a private apartment, where refreshments were at once served up— Hul- croft proceeded to make inquiries in reference toa vehicle to convey her on to Florence. Whius Ciprina was thus left alone in the parlour to whica she had been shown, a bandsome travelling. carriage and four horses drove up to the front of the hostelry. Ciprina glanced from the window ; and she recognised Hector Hardress, who ear seated on the box next tu *'- valet, and smoaio; ECORDICELO© () S