Agnes Vol. 2 — page 145: what you’re looking at

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

188 something must be known of the young gentle- man at the British Embasay—and therefore I am no longer uneasy on his account.” “Tf he should happen to return,” said the Minister, “lose not an instant in forwarding a message to me at the Prefecture to that effect.” The Count then tovk his departure from the hotel; and he proceeded straight to the British Embassy. On announcing his name, be was at once conducted into a waiting-ruom, while his card was taken to the British Envoy. Iu a few minutes one of the attachés of the Embassy made his appearance; and courteously saluting the Tuscan Minister of Pulice, ke said, “1 regret that his Excellency’—thus alluding to the Invoy— “ should be unable to receive your lordship at this moment: but he is exceedingly occupied ? “Tt is unnecessary that his Excellency should disturb himself,” interjected Ramorinu. ‘ The object of my visit is sv simple—and you can doubtless give me the information 1 seek. Intel- ligence has been communicated to tho police that a young English gentloman, named Charles De Vere, has been unaccountably missing “This information,” interrupted the allaché, “has also been forwarded to the Icmbassy.”’ “ ITave any tidings been received ——~” “1 hm really unable,” at once interrupted the attuché, “tov gi.e your lordship any information ou the,puint : but I will presently repurt to his Excelleney this kind visit on your lordship’s part, and I have nu doubt that you will be communicated with so soon as thore way be anything of conse- quence to impart.” | The Minister of Police failed not to perceive that the attaché was speaking evaeively; but with- out suffering his countenance to betray the sus- picion which he thus entertained, Ramorino said, ‘| just now called at the hotel where the young EKuglish gentleman had put up; I learnt that inquiries had been made tor his letters on the part of a domestic from this Embassy.” “Oh, yes,” said the attuché: “ that is our rule. ‘Whenever auything doubtiul or mysterious happens to a Griti-h subject abroad, the first duty of the British diplomatic agent in the particular country, state, or district, is to look after the missing one’s property and letters.” “No doubt of it,” said Ramorino: and perceiv- ing that-it was useless tu endeavour to sift tho attuché any further, he took his leave, with a re- quest that should tidings be reccived concerning Mr, De Vere, they might be at once communicated ty bim. “ Touat fellow was playing a part!” said Ramo- ring tu himself as he issued forth from the portals of the British Embassy. “There is asturm brew- ing!—that is perfectly claar! Doubtless this Ciprina has told Jo Vere everything that she herself knows or suspects; and De Vere purp.ses to range himseif on the same side with Ciprina and Marcellin! Ab, and what if Marcellin should uve alau suught @lhe protection of bis own Ew basay P To fight the. battle against them, if they be bucked by the power and influence of the two Ku bassivs,—this will indeed prove a hard struggle! By fupiter! it would be by no means amusing if in the very firet dd@ys or even hours of my honey- moon, J found myself called upon to issue a war- rent for the arrest of my own wife [’ AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. While making these reflections, the Count of Ramorino pursued his way through the streets of Florence, muffled in his cloak. As he approached his private residence—where, be it remembered, he had left Luerezia—he noticed a man, dressed in mean apparel, lounging about on the opposite aide of the street. Now, a Minister of Police has the best memory and the keenest eyes in all the world fur particular circumstances. Consequently, Ka- iuorino instantaneously recollected that when he had just now issued forth from his private ‘resi- dence, he had seen a mean-looking person hanging about the premises ;~—and he now recognised the man to be the same. “Ah! ha!” thought the Minister ta himeelf { “this is an espial of some kind Y“But we will see,” Ramorino continued hie way without entering his private residence; and he walked in the direc. tion of the Mirano mansion. He lighted a cigar, and strolled along as if with the leisurely, noncha- lant air of one who has nothing particular to do; —and on erriving in the vicinage of the palatial establishment, he fluny his keen regards around. He now perceived another person in mean apparel, lounging about in this quarter ; and he muttered to himself, “ Ah! ’tis clear enough! The watch is set upon Liucrezia !” Continuing his way, the Count of Ramorino dropped the cigar from his mouth at the very in- stant he was passing the man to whom we have alluded. This individual rushed forward to pick it up; and the Count exclaimed, “Thank you, my good man! thank you!—but it 13 of no conso. quence! However, here is something for your trouble.” “Tl am obliged to your Excellency,” said the tnan, taking the coin which waa proffered him: aud he showed by his respectful demeanour, aa well as by his words, that he had recognised the Minister of Police. “Ab! you are not an Italian?” said Ramo. rino, as if quite carelessly. “ No, my lord,” was the response: “If am a Frenchman.” ‘‘ And a very civil person you are into the bar- gain,” rejoined the Count. ‘ Good evening to you, my wan.” The Minister of Polhce continued his way, making a circuit of the walls bounding the gardens in the midst of which stoud the Mirano mansion; and he said to himeelf, “ A labourer, who has ali the roady civility of a foutman, and who bows hike one! No, nu! that will not do! Coarse ap- parel and clean hands! Inconsistent! I under- staud it all! Itis asl suspected! Marcellin has taken refuge at the French Embassy — he has told his tale to the Aubassador—and Lucrezia is watched by two of the Irench footmen disguised as labourers! I will however assure myself more fully on the point.” Having made tho circuit of the grounds belong- ing to the Mirano mansion, the Minister of Police retraced bis way towards his private residence ; and by suddenly debouching, as it were, from a bye-street almost immediately facing bia abode, he came upon the mean-looking individual to whom weat first alluded. He purposely ran against him, but making it appear asif it were entirely av acci- ldent. The man apologized on bis own sido: Ra- GOMmIGOOo <S (©