Agnes Vol. 2 — page 156: what you’re looking at

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

w AGNES; ON, BRAUTY AND PHEASURE, and who immediately set off to bear it to its desti- nation. “7 will now inform you,” said the British Fin. voy, “of the steps that bave beon taken—or rather which are immediately about to be taken, in this difficult and peculiar case. You may rest assured that the French Envoy and I have given it our very best consideration ; and I think you will ap- prove of the conclusion to which we havo arrived as the most efliciont means of bringing the entire matter to an issue. ur let it be borne in mind that the main object, after all, ia to clear your character, M. Marcellin, from any aspersion which Lucrezia di Mirano may in her dcsporatiun or malhgnity throw upon it. Well then, if wo can « the very outset prove the Marchioncess di Mirano to be capable of onc heinous crime, wo fur- nish a good ground for the supposition that sho was guilty of anvther. In plain terms, wo mean to accuse her at once of the crime of dealing with the poisoncr La Dolfina, and attempting to ad- mipister poison pufchased from tbat woman ; and wo shall demand that justice may promptly take its course on that charge.” This is no doubt well planned,” said De Vero; “for if once the Marchioness bo arrested as a poisoner, it will give weight to the other accusa- tion which will be made against her, And who indeed would believe her if, under such circum- stances, abe turned ruund and proclaimed you, M. Marcellin, to be the assasain of the unfurtunate page Giulio P” ‘* Besides,” continued the British Envoy, “in having two cases to deal with, we naturally select the strongor. Now in one instance the evidence is positive: in the other it is only circumstantial. We take the case where tho evidence is pugitive : we charge Luerezia di Mirano with being a great criminal—wo paralyze her—we beat down all her strongholds and defences—we render it imposmble for Kamorino, if he have any regard for his own character, to coutinuc his protection in respect to s0 vile a woman.” “ ‘Yes,’”’ said Marcellin, “ the arrangements are well taken. And now, what ia tho process tu be adopted with regard tu her P” “The French Envoy has taken the inatter in band,” replied the British Ambassador. “ Jinme- liately upon the receipt of the document which [ just now sent to bis Excollency, ho will proceed 0 the Minister of the Interior, to whom be will represent the facts. It is nut necessary in this ‘ase to gu to Ramorino for a warrant. Desides, it tan be proved by the letter which ycu, M. Muar- ‘ollin, found in Lucrezia di Mirano’s writing-dosk, Jhat the Minister of Police would rather shield hor rom arrest, or else aid in her csvape, than suffer ustice to take its course.” “To bo sure!” observed Marcellin; “and it is herefore fortunate that the intervention of Ra- norino need not bo sought in carrying out the pre- ent purpose. And what follows the application a the Minister of the Interior ?” inquired the roung I’renchman. “Two distinct warrants will be granted,” replied ho British Envoy,—“ one autborizing the arrest if Lucrezia di Mirano as a person accused of the eluny of dealing with poisuns; and the other Wanting from the Treasury, levying immediate vizgure and confiscatiun upon all the pruperty of 149 tho Merchioness, to await tho issue of the trial which she must undergo.” : * And theso warrants,” said Marcellin—“ when will they be issued P” Presently,” rejoined the British Eavoy. “ Ah! I forgot to observe that the Marcbioness is at Count Ltamorino’s private dwolling. One of the spies of the I*rench Ambassador tracked her thither at about seven o'clock.” “Will the warrant for hor arrest be executed there P” inquired Do Vere. “ No,” responded the Envoy. “The Minister uf the Interior will of course command that the privacy of his colleague's abode shall be respected ; —the warrant will not therefore bo executed until the Marchioness returns to her own house. In respect tu yourselves, thero ie little doubt that in consequence of the representations which the French Ambassador purposes to address to the Minister of tho Lnterior, your persons will be pro« tected against all molestation pending the proceeds ings that are about tu take place.” Everything that was thus reported to the two young gentlemen and Ciprina, exporionced their warmest approval; and the British Envoy was cordially thanked for the trouble he was taking ig the matter. t Tt was about a quarter tu nine o'clock whon the Ambassador was summoned from tho apartment : but he almost immediately returned, introducing the Freneh Euvoy. re ** IT have succeeded,” said this last-named funce tionary, “in overyvbing that I undertook with tbe Minister of the Interiur. In tho first place, he has granted his wurraut for the arrest of the Mar- chiuncss di Mirano, and which warrant will be executed either to-night or to-morrow morning, according to circumstances. In the sagond place, Ow the Minister of tho Interior has sent a form@l dee and to the Troasury, desiring his colleague the Minister of I-imance to issue a warrant of confisca- tion ayainst tho property of Lucrezia di Mirano. In tho third place, here is a safc-conduct, or special passport, for each of you three,—exempt- ing you from tho possibility of arrest un any ordi- nary warrant. Count Ramorino himself can now interlere with your freodom!” ‘“ Thus speakiug, tho Fronch Eavoy delivered the three passports, or sate-conducts, to Ciprina, De Vere, and Marcellin respectively. “You will perceive, M. Marcellin,” said the l'rench representative, “that tho names of Bere ~ Indeed, not oven all the power of. nardv and Antonio are included in your safe-cong - duct; and thys they hkowiso are free from the danger of arrest. By the bye, 1 ought to have added that the Minister of the Interior will be ° careful to avoid the chance of suffering bis cul- learuo Ramorino to know what is transpiring in this case, fur fear leat the Minister of Police showy give tiucly warning to his mistress Lucegia, and thus enable her tu escape from the fatal conse- quences of her crimes.” The thanks which had been previously piven to the British Eavoy, were now renewed towards the French representative: and then De Vere asid tc Marccilin—" Let us now go and mecot Paoli at Signor Petrove’s.”” “Ah! if 1 had thought of is,” oxclaimed the. French Ambassador, “1 would have prucured a ° COMIEIDOO <S co