Agnes Vol. 2 — page 135: what you’re looking at

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

28 AGNES; OB, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE aciger. Tbe Hon. Mrs. Hardress, whom Ciprina a mock-marrisge—and that it was not your fault if had known as Cicely Neale, Jooked out of the you had been thus betrayed. This gave a com- carriage-winduw as Sir Alexander Holcroft has- plete turn in your favour, for Mrs. Hardresa im- tened forward to speak to ber. There was an- mediately appeared to recollect certain pieces of other lady inside the carriage; and Ciprina had no intelligence which she had at different times re- doubt that this was Josephive Hardress, of whose cvived from your cousin Agnes.” beauty Carlotta Belluno bad spoken iu such bigh ‘“ And those pieces of intelligence P” inquired terms, At firet Hardress ‘uerely looked round, Floribel, quickly. uudded, and went on smoking his cigar: butina “ That after soparating from Clifford, you had few minutes he seemed to grow interested in the rotired into sume seclusion, and were loading a conversation, whatever its nature might be. At perfectly pure, correct, and honourable life—and vength Sir Alexander Holcroft retreated from the that after all there was really nothing bad known travelling-carriage, re-entered the tavern, and as- against you. ThenI myself throw in a few words cended to the parlour where he had left Cipriua. tho beautiful Josephine grew much interested in ‘My dear madam,” he said, with a balf- your behalf—indeed she alsv spoko in your favour soudpnatured, lalf-familiar smile of triumph, “the —-and the climax was that a hearty invitation was Hon. Hector and Mrs. Hurdross, together with sent for you to join the party.” the ion. Mies Josephine, send you their compli: “ Under these circumstances, I can no longer ments through me, and beg that you will tuke a hesitate,” rejoined Ciprina. “ It is indeed an im- place in their travelling-carriage.” mense advantage to travel under such protection ; “You do not mean this, Sir Alexander!” eja-| and you have conferred an additional boon upon culated Ciprina in amazement. | me.” “Imean it, my dear madam. ItisasI tell; Sir Alexander Holcroft sat-down at the table, you.” ; and speedily filled up one of the passport-forms “ But you must have made some misreprosen-| which ho carried about with him, He then, tation! You must bave forgotten that they | in «a delicate manner, spoke of money-affairs,— know me !" cried the young lady. | whereupon Ciprina said, “I have in the hands of a “T have made no misrcpresentation—and J have : Florence banker a very considerable portion of the forgotten nothing. T simply tuld them,” continued; amount which [ received from your bounty a Sir Alexander Hulerott, “ that Miss Lister I| twelvemonuth bick. I have thorefore no need of knew not what other name to give you ——- was further funds—tbhough you rightly conjectured here, most anxious to get to Florence, having that Iam penniless at this moment; for every- escaped by extraordinary means vut of the fortress thing of value which I had about me was taken by of Bagno,”’ the officials uf Bagno Castle.” ‘But in one word, Sir Alexander, understand ‘In that case,” replied Sir Alexander, “ you we!” ejaculated Ciprina. ‘ Mrs. Hardregs was aj must permit me to be your banker for your imme- Mass Neale~and she knows me well, The Hon.| diate wants; because no one can tell what may Hector Haridress used at one time to vimt at tho: happen on the road.” house where | dwelt: ho likewise knows me.! He hastily folded up in the passport a liberal They both know that I fled with Theodore Clif-} sum in gold and bank-notes. He then exclaimed, ford; und of course they have by this time told} with a sudden peal of hearty merriment, ‘“ By the same to their sister Jesephine, even if she; heaven! you bear abuut you cortain indications of were not previously acquatuted with the circum- the mode of your escape!—in vulgar parlance, stance.” . patches of flour upon your clothes ;—and these * All this is wery likely and very true,”’ an- ust be taken off.” ewered Loulcroft : © but those two ladies and that By means of his kerchief he speedily accom- gentleman will troat you with the utmost courtesy | plished his object; and looking forth from the and distinction, Now, you are a woman of the! window, ho said, “ ‘Tie pust-horses are changed— world—I will tell you buw the game stands —an | | the carriage is in readiness.” then you can play your cards according to your ‘* Beforo we separate, Sir Alexander ITolcroft,” own inclination,” said Ciprina, in a voice that was full of emotion, “Ah! if you wall be explicit,” said Ciprina, “2: “permit me to thank you most sincerely for the shai know bow to act !” ' numerous kindnesses you have now rendered me witbin the brief space of two hours. But Ah! sumed the Baronet, “I went out and epoke to tbe} let me plead unco more on behalf of that simple. cecupants, Ithen began telling a leng story to! minded creature Carlotta !—let me breathe one Mire. Hardress—Low a fellow-countrywoman of | parting word to conjure you ” her's found hersolt in certain perplexities and em- ‘Madam,” interrupted the Baronet coldly, barrassmente—and how it was a matter of lifeand “this is my affair. I know not in what position,” death for her tu get on without delay t» Florence. he went on to say in bis wouted tone of courteous I then spoke of Bagno and the escape ; and having familiarity, “your little stratagem at the castle thoroughly enlisted the attention and interest of may have left the poor girl—or whether I shall be the two ladies, 1 mgmtioned your name—Floribel enabled to make any fresh arrangements. But, Lister. ‘ue coudNenauen of Mrs. Hardress be- however this may be, I beg that you will leave me came clouded : that of Josephine showed that she to my own business in consideration of the geal knew who you were. 1 thought the point was which J have shownt in furthering your interests. lost,—when, to my surprise, Hardress turned And now permit mo to hand you down to the car- round upon the box, declaring that you were more riage.” ty be pitied than blamed—that you had been in- Cuprina dared} not plead any further on Cs sumcusly used by Cliffors through the medium of | lotia’s bebaif ; aad she forthwith accompanied “When the carriage drove up to the door,” re- ecomnicloooks ©