Agnes Vol. 2 — page 159: what you’re looking at

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

152 Charles thanked the attaché, and passed on to his own room, where he ftouad Father Falconara waiting. “ 1 have to offer a thousand apologies,” exclaimed our hero, “ for being thus upwards of an hour be- hind the appointment which I myself mado with you: but businoss detained me clsowhe o . *“No excuse is necessary,” interrupted the ecclesiastic. “I know that you would have come soonor if you had been able.” “There is nothing 1 would not do,” cried De Vere enthusiastically, “to domonstrate my friend- skip and gratitude towards you; for never, never shall I forget the generous servico you rendered me !” “I rendered you a sorvice, Signor De Vero?” said I'ather Ialconara, with a severe tone and look. “Ought I not to complain of the treatment I have received at your hands ?”’ “Ah! to be sure!” cried Charles, laughing. “Well, we will not touch any more upon tho sub ject. But at all events wo are not now within the walls of the fortress of Bagno—you are not speak- ing to Number Twenty-nine, but to an individual posscased uf a namo. Let us converse freely. You unay now be permitted to liston while I tell you thetT weet carried off from Tlorenco by a mistake —I was taken for anuther—that very gentloman with whom you ere now saw mo. ‘It was at the in- stigation of a jady of high rank, but who is steeped to tho very Jips in crime ” “Ab!” ejaculated Faleonara: “can it bo the ‘lady whom I saw just now 2” “-4here 19 no sécret in the matter,” resumed De , M888; “for all Florence will to-morrow ring with tis name of that Jady !” | “Ah!” again ejaculated the priest: “is such a storm aa this indoed brewing ?” “16 is as 1 toll your reverence,” rejoined De Vere. “And you allude,” said Father Fulconara, “ to— to ; and he still hesitated to pronounce the name for fear lest after all there should be some mistake in the m«tter, ‘The Marchioness Charles, “ Then it is so!”’—and the priest looked con- founded. “What ! do you likewise know something rola- tive to this vilo woman ?” exclaimed our hero. “ But, Ah! doubtless you met her at the Count of Ramorino’s?—for I think you told moe ere now that you had been to make a cortain report ” “ Yes—it was thore that I mot her,” rejoined the priest. “ But tell me, of what is sho accused P why will all Florence ring with her name in the course of a few hours? Surely there must be g6ume mistake P The Minister of Polico him- pelf ” “ He is a villain, and he protects her!” cried Charles. “ Ho is her paramour.” ° “Not now,” answered the young ecclesiastic; and then he added solemnly, “ Count Ramorino is her husband.” Charles De Vere was strickon with amazement —as well he might be—at this intelligence: but it was now his turn to fancy there was sume mis- take—and he said, “ Are you sure of what you tell me? = This lady to whom I allude ” “Is young and beautiful,” interjected Father of Mirano,” exclaimed AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. Faleonara, “Ah! I recollect ! she was much ex- cited whon I spoko of the oscape of the young lady. But that Lucrezia di Mirano is now the wife of the Count di Ramorino vou may rest as- sured: for only three hours have elapsed since my lips pronounced the nuptial blessing.” ‘“ Crood heavens !” ejaculated Charlos, “ what a bride has the Count of Ramorino taken unto him- self! Can it be possible that he is acquainted with her iniquitios ?” “And those iniquities P” said the priest in- quiringly, ‘ She is a murdoress!” answored Charles. Father Falconara staggered as if the astonish - ment which smote him was a veritable blow physi- cally dealt ; and clasping his hands together, he murmured, “ Good heavens! that I should have pronounced a blessing on the head of such a sinner !”’ At this moment the door burst open, and Iudear Marcellin rushed into the room. CIAPTER XXXVI, eRAMORINO'S BRIDR, Tink inetant the young Frenchman mado his ap- pearance, 1b was easy to perceive that he was in @ very excited state; and Charles De Vere sprang furward to ask what was the imatter—for he dreaded leat some new misfortune should have occurred. “I will not endure this another minute !” ex: claimed Hdygar. “ No! I will not lay my head upon my pillow this night until some step be taken to vindicate myself! What to me aro all tho safo- conducts in the world if I am thus to bo accused of the most atrocious crimo ?” “'Tranguillise yourself, my dear friond,” said Charics. ‘* You need not leave the room, holy futher,” he added, turning towards the young priest. “ You already know that Lucrezia di Mirano 18 a murderess 7 ; “ But you bave yet to hear,” exclaimed Mar- cellin, vehemently, “that the vile woman dares attorupt tu cast the blood-rod shadow of her crime upon mo!” “fsplain what has happened!” cried Charles De Vere, “()n reaching the mansion of the Fronch Km- bassy,” said Marcellin, “a scene occurred of a nature similar to that which greeted us just now at the gato of this Embassy. I was suddenly seized upon by a posse of sdbirri, and tho officor in command said that ho arrested me on tho charge vf murdering Giulio Paoli. You may bo well assurod that I indignantly repelled the atrocious accusation ; and | demanded who was my accuser. To this no reply was given; and in my rage and anger L exclaimed, “1 know that it is Lucrezia di Mirano who charges me with this crime; but she herself committed it!’—The ollicer counselled me to hold my peace and accompany him quietly. | I produced my safe-conduct ; he seemed uncertain how to act ; but this indecision on his part quickly vanished, and he said that under existing cireum- stances he must execute the warrant which he held in his hand. At that very instant whose carriage / GOHMMGIOO (C CS CO