Agnes Vol. 2 — page 136: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; CR, BEAUTY ANP PLEASURE. Sir Alexander Helcroft. He had in no way de; Before concluding this chapter, it is ueccasary reived Jer iu reference to the welcome which for a certain reason that we return tothe Castle cf she might expect at the hands of those whom sbo ' Bagno, to sce what there took place after the fliybt wax now to join, Cicely, at once addressing her , of Ciprina. Wo will at once direct attention to is ‘¢ Miss Lister,” greeted hor with cordiality, end ‘ Carlotta Belluno, whom we left in the confessional, introduced her to Josephine, who bent upon her a ‘ saparated by tho almost impervious screen of compassionating look. As for Hector Tardress, trollis-work from Fatber Falconara. The youn: he tossed away his cigar, leapt down from the box, ' priest, we have alroady said, was Iater than ususl and spoke to Ciprina in the most friendly manner. ‘in the chapel; but his admonitions, so far frown She took her seat thside the carriage: Hector ; being abbreviated on that account, were samewhat followed her into the vehicle—hands were shaken . lengthened—asa if he deemed it needful to convince with Sir Alexander Holcroft—and the equipage his penitent that because he was lato it wae no rolied on ita way. reason why he should be considered indolent or At first Ciprina felt sightly ombarrassed by the , neglectful. Carlotta was quivering with suspense : position in which she found berself; but this sense ‘she heard the clock strike two—and still the of awkwardness speedily wore off when she per- admonitions of the priest continued. However, ceived in how agreeable and friendly a wanner her | she consvled herself with the idea that the hakers companians were chatting with her. Tho fact was. would be sure to stop a few minutes—and “hat they all threo believed that having been made. they would not argue trom her non-appearance rt Clifford’s victiin, she had since her separatiun from . the exact monient, that sho did not oan, or was him led a virjuous life. Cicely was good-bearted ; unable, to keep the appointment at all. [t was after her own fashion; and she felt interested in | quite five minutcs past two when Carlotta Belluno the cousin of Aynegiivelyn. Josephine, having issued forth from the confessional. She then suffered ag well ss Ficribel herself through the turned towards tho altar where she had lets viliany of Clifford, was naturally inclined to sym- , Ciprina kuecling: but that young lady was not to pethise with ber: while Hector, having remem- , be seen. Carlotta thought tha; she had simply bored that Miss Listor was endowed with a tran- ; atraycd away into another part of the chapel; and scending beauty, had instantancousl® entertained she quickly made tle circuit of the place tu louk certain ke pea ond idess which rendered bim thus. for her. Not finding her, she said to herself, avsious to bave ber as a travelinyg-companion. | “Ciprina must have been taken ill and gone back But durit gy the journey Hector was completely on to her cell, On no othor account would the rex. bis guara; for be hoew that bis wile Cicely pus- , douess have allowed her to priss.”’ sessed keon eyes aud a strong spirit—and he did Towards the door did Carlotta basten : the «ld not choose to excite ber jealousy by any direct sextoness was there; and the damael ingaired, attentions towards Ciprina, Ag fur Ciprina her- |“ Whee is the prisoner—Nuinber Thirty —who self, she had not failed tu comprehend Sir Alex- | entered with me P” | | ! ! ander Holcroft’s meaning, when he jad said ' © T have not seen her, signora. Is she not still “that be would tell her how the game stovd, and , in tho chapel ?” asked the sextoneas. she might then play her curds acvording to her! “No. But perhapa you may have left thia inclination :? for the decerip’ion of Heetor’s ready door for a moment or two interferencs on her behalt hul afforded a cius to, “ Yes -fo give adumissivu to a couple of the the B:ronet’s idea. En Plain terms, Ciprina under- male prisoners.” atuud that she tsist mate a ecunquest in’ this “Ah, well!” said Carlotta: “then Number quarter, if sho tasuaiet fir, Thirty moy have pone into the yard to walk—or It coeurred to ber that Josep ote Hardress was) sho may have returned to her cell if she be iudis- not altogether happy in her wniad; for every now . posed ; aud Gudulla may have given her adinis. and then she sighed audibly, or else hac come dif. sion thither.” culty in repressing the sigh that was rismg up into =“ Very likely, signora,”’ said the sextoness, who her throat. It also oceurred to Cipsina tbhatantwo for an instant had looked frightened, because the or three cecasions Heetor darted a yaick look upou recollection uf the escape of the preceding night his sister, as if to reeall ber to herself; and that was fresh in the minds of every individual within then Josephine gave u sudden slait avd assumed the castle walle. an air of paiety. Ciprina fancied that Josepiins Curloita passed out into the yard with palpi- was unbappy vn account of her brother having tating hoart and quickly-beating pulses: but been uufurtunate enough tu kill « person in a bakers and basket—where were they P Ob! per- duel. haps thoy had not as yet come ? It was only a tew It was about six o'clock in the evening when twinates past two; and thoy might not have been the travelling-carriage entered the court-yard of able to keep their appointment as punctually as one of the principal hotels in Florence. As usual, they bad expected. Carlotta ran across the yard the domestica hurried out to receive the new arri- to Ciprina’s cell; she opened the door with her vals; and as usual hkewise, a number ol bevears pass-key Ciprina was not there ! camo grovelling towards theia—for this exhibition “ Well then, after all, I must have missed ber of moadicancy is invariable within the precincts in tho chapel ’' the damsel mentally ejaculated. of Italian hostelries. On entering the hotel, Back to the chapel she sped : Ciprina was nut Hector gave one arm to his wife—the other to there. Carlotta knew not what to think: but Ciprina—while Josephine followed ; and this little not for a moment did she suspect what the weiual preiereéuce towards Ciprina over his sister, was truth might bo. anyther proof for the young lady that the bint’ “ Thia is most extraorwinars |* elie gait tu the she bad received from Sir Alexander Holcroft was old sextoness. “TL cannet find ber.” well grounded, if she thought fit tu prefit by it, You dy not (lick, stguors -you do notezage- COUMIC NOOKS CO