Agnes Vol. 2 — page 153: what you’re looking at

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146 palpable and tangible, I give offenee—or if by ex- pressing the impossibility that I experience of congratulating you on your marriage, I likewise provoke your anger,—I must tako the conse- uences, Whatever they may be. But I repeat, my lord, I condole with you; for, on my soul! as a living man! you are not happy in the choice you have made — inasmuch, as within the last two hours a warrant has been issued from the Treasury, laying seizure and confiscation on all the property belonging to the Marchiunoss di Mirano.”’ A groan—or rather a sound resembling the rueful lament of a wild beast that is wounded, came forth from the lips of the Count of Ramo- rino. Ife staggered back a pace or two, and then recovering himself, he said in a hollow voice, “ Is this truce, my lord ?—is this indeed truce? or am | labouring under tho influence of some berrible dream? Tell me, my luord—am i wide awake? or am I sleeping? Good Gud! what does all this mean P”’ * The wretehed man seomed to be smittou blow upon blow; and strong-minded, energetic, sel{- possessed as he usually was, it must have been under the influence of very painful feelings indeed «oppressed by the most harrowing emotions, that he could have so far Jost his self-command as to givo vent!to such ianfuaze as that in tho presence of his most bitter enemy. Even that eucmy him. self pitied him for an instant: but this sympathy was transient a8 a passing wreath of vapour: and he said, “ Yes, my lord-—-a warrant of confiscation has been this evening issued frown the ‘Treasury — it is in the hands of the proper oflicers—and it will be executed tu-morrow.” Tremendous was the cffurt which Jamorino made to recover his sclf-command; and he said, * But this measutc can be only taken as the con- seguence of a criminal law procedure, or when some one ia accused of a very heinous crime ° “Such as poisoning, my lord,” interjected the Minister of Finance. “ Who better thar yoursell should know that for years past a woman of infamous character, named La Dolfina, bas dwelt in }lorence——” “Ah! Furlo was right!” muttered the Minister of Police. “Tow the storm is lowering over our heads !—how awtully the thunder-cloud 18 prepur- ng to burst !” “\'nder existing circumstances, my lord,” sail the Minister of Finance, “I cannot hold this cheque. 1t igs valueless. The bankers cBvoWnotice of the levy, scizure, and conliscation tho first thing in the morning, I leave you now. I was about to tell your Excellency how the Mar- chionesa di Mirano bought poisuns of a Do'” but | perceived that a mere reference to the in- famous woman’s name was suffimaent to make you comprohend—or at least to suapect " “Isnough, my lord! enough!” interrupted the Count of Ramorinu vehemently, “It seems as if you were bent ou persecuting me tu the very ut- most! Go!—do your worst! J care not! Con- fiscate my wife’s money—and you confiscato my owned I shall not be to blamo if I am begyared ! rd will re-- AGNTSs ON, RPAUTT AYD TLTASTRE. Ilaving thus spuken in a fierce, wild, impas- sioned manner, the Count of Ramorino—usually so calm, collected, and full of self-possession— rushed forth from tho room by one door, leaving the Minister of Finance to issue forth by another. Speeding to his own cabinet, Ramorino walked to aud fro like a wild beast pacing and chafing in its cago,—until he grew somewhat calmer. Io then rang tho bell, and asked if any arrests were reported? The reply was still in the negative ; and he said to tho man who had answered the summons, “i am about to return to my own house. Let those who have received narticular orders from me this evening, bring their reports as SU0N Aas they return and when they havu auy communicatiuns to make.” “ The Count of Ramorino then loft the Prefec- ture, and strodo rapidly through the now deserted strects to his own private residence, which he reached just as the clocks of Florence were pru- claiming the hour of midnight. * CITAPTER AXY. AMBASSSVNURS, We must now return to Charles De Vere, whe, ns we have stated in 4 previous chapter, arrive in florence in the afternoon of a day that was memorable in the fives of many persons, laying placed bimself under the proteetion of the Lritish Ambassador, he communicated to that fanctiouary everything which had occurred, and they had a long consultation togethor. A messenger was sent to the hotel at which Charles had originally pat up; and the man brought back a letter addresses to our hero. ‘This was the one which Kdgar Mur- cellin had deft for him there on the preceding day, and Charles was rejoiced. to loarn therefrom that the vouny Jerenchman was safe and under tho protection of bis own Ambassador. Marcellin said in Ins letter to Charles that he would immediately cbey any summens which might bo sent or any appointment whica mucht bo made: but he nevertheless recommended enu- tion and prudence inp whatsvevor proceedingy should be adapted, for reasons that eould be plained. Acting by the advice of the Mnghah Ambassador, Charles wrote to Marcellin, announc- ing lis safe arrival in Florence alter having ex- | perieuced many strange adventures, and requesting | | Idgar to come to him after dusk at the British embassy. It. was half-past six o'clock in the evening when a Jady, closely veiled, presouted herself at this Embassy, and requested an inmediate interview with the British Armbassador. She declared her business to be of the utmost importance, and thus she had no difficulty in obtaining the gratification of her requeet. Jn a tow minutes she found herself in the presence of the /urlish ropresenta- tive. “T have along tale to tell your Excellency,’ Thad a right to spond what I pusseased when cal- | slo began,—“a tale of crimes in one guarter— culating on the receipt of vast riches from this marriage of mine. 4 envy not your feelings in goading to desperation a mam vue is already unhappy enouck!” (Food night, my lord | --and | ventures and buir-breadth oscapes } wrongs and persecutions in another—singular ad- v9 6 “Indeed, madam!’ ejaculated the Ambassador. “hig ig an afternvon repleto with singular ad EORAIC OO® SS