Agnes Vol. 2 — page 165: what you’re looking at

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

168 AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. “Ob, assuredly!” ejaculated Ramorino, who thought it better to take the matter with a high hand. “Good night, Father Falconara. Ah, by the bye! come to me to-morrow according to our | previous appointment ; and notwithstanding the terms in which you have now been speaking, I shall fulfil my promise of granting whatsvever buon you may have to claim. Good night, holy father.” IRamorino bowed the ecclesiastic out of the room ; and he was retracing his way towards the apartment where Lucrezia again most anxiously awaited him, when he was accosted by the domestic to whom he had entrusted the errand to the Mirano mansion. “ It is done, my lord,’ said the confidential de- pendant, “ Your Excellency will admit that all possible despatch has been used P” “ Kvidently so-——and I am well pleased,” rephed the Qopnat. “ Youu have procured the pictures ?” 'Yos, my lord. The steward at once delivered them up to me,” was the rosponse. ‘ And where have you placed them ?” demanded Ramorino. “In the uppermost room at the back part of the house, my Jord.” “ The uppermost room ?” ejaculated Ramorino. “ But what was the use of that P” * Your Excellency bade me lodge the pictures in the apartment most convenient for the purpose in that part of the house,” replied the domestic ; “and as tho uppermost room communicating with the private staircase was the only one that was empty ” * Well, well-—-there is no harm done,” inter- rupted tire Minister of Police. “ You may retire :” —and then, as tbe man withdrew, Ramorino mut tered to himeelf, “{t is only an extra flight of stairs or two for old Furlo to ascend presently in order to see the pictures—and a little additional truuble in taking them down to the vehicle which he may bring for the purpuse of fetching them away.” CHAPTER XXVIL THK CATASTROPIE. LET us pow return to Father Faleonara, whom wo left at the moment when he was bowed out of the room where his last interview had taken place with the Minister of Police. He left the house, saying to himself, “ Yes, Charles De Vere was rivht! Ltisthe sinful man protecting the erring woman! An identity of Interests of some guilty complexion or another, must have induced them tu Jon their bands with bonds even more powertul than those which had previously united them !’’ As Father Faleonara was slowly pursuing his way alung the street, he met Edgar Marcollin and Charles De Vere. “What iidings, holy father P” inquired the young Frevchmau: ‘“ have you succeeded with that vile woman?” “ “ No,” was the response, “There was an in- atant when I felt confident of success: but | fniled !” Sho is atill there?” interjected Marcellin, in- quiringly ** Yesa—she is still there,” rejvined the eccle- siastic. “She is evidently in a state of wild mental agitation ” “Thank heaven, she is there!” exclaimed Marcel. lin. “ We have seon the Minister of the Interior ; and the measures which are now taken are of a decisive character. that muffled individual gliding along on the other side of the street ? And there is another !—an-l look! there comes another !” \t ‘Yes. What means all thie?” inquired the priest. ‘ Are they the emissaries of justice P” “They are officials from the Ministry of the Interior,” repliod Marcellin: “ they are about to surround the Count of Ramorino’s house. Neise- lessly and stealthily they creep, because the arrest tself, though now fully resolved upon, is to be offected tranquilly and quietly——at least if Ra- morino himself will so permit it. But if other- wise, then . ‘TI understand,” said Father Falconara : “ force will be used if necessary P Ala3z, unhappy voman ! it isimpossible for her to make her peace with man! JI can only pray Chat she may recon. cile herself to heaven !” With these words Father Falconara was moving on, when Edgar Marcellin, grasping his hand, said, “ Although you failed to obtain from that vile woraan’s lips the confession which would have at once exonerated my character, yet let me proffer the assurance of my sincerest gratitude for the kind interest you have disp.ayed on my behalf.” Father Falconara expressed due acknowledg- monte fur the courteous language thus held to- wards him ; and he pureued his way in one direc- tion, woile Edgar Marcellin and Charles De Verco continued their own route in another. The two young gentlemen quickly arrived at the gate of Ramorino’s private residence; and ne of the muffled individuals to whom we have sv recently alluded, glided towards them. ‘It js all right,” said Marcellin. there” The individual spoke not a word, but glided way again; and Ide Vere now rang at the gate. The summons was immediately answered by a lacquey ; and Charles said, ““ We wish to speak to his Excellency the Count of Ramorino.” “What names shall [ bear to his lordship ?’’ inquired the domestic. ‘It is unecessary to mention any names,” re- phed Charles. “ Say simply that two gentlemen desire to see his Exeellency on most important business. Ab! when | bethink me, you may add, if you like, that one comes from the Frenci Euo- baxsy and the other from the English.” The domestic conducted the two young pentle- mon inty the waiting-room where the Cuuut of Ranworino had already seen 60 many persons on this particular evening. Jn the meanwhile Ramorino had rejoined Lu- cresia after having parted from Father Falcunara ; and he tuld her of the failure of his endeavours to effect the prorlsed arrests,—a circumstance which she had already more than half conjectured from 1 observation which had fallen from the lips of Father Falcunara. The Count did not think it worth while to mention that be bad sent for the pictures, or that he expected Furlo to supply him with the funds which should ensure his owa safety “ She is Look, holy father ! seo you , GOMMGIOOKSHEO inn