Agnes Vol. 2 — page 174: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BRAUTY AND PLRASURR. young Frenchman thus met,—‘“it would appeur that you had deserted the entertainment long be- fore 1 thought of duing so !” “I bave been to fulfil a promise,” returned Maurcollin,—“ a promise which I made in the morning=to the effect that I would call upon Floribel ——" Floribel P” ejaculated Charles, with a sudden stuart. “ What! hae she revealed herself? or how did you discover who she is? But Ah! doubt- Jess you learnt the fact from the lips of Heotor Huardross, or his sister " ‘“‘ No, my dear friend,” interrupted Edgar; “ I learnt tho fact fom Floribel’s own lips. Her con- versation has been serious even to solemnity: I offered cverything which the deepest, deepest sense of gratitude could suggest———yes, it was even marriage that I prqnosed——but she refused— we have separat.d—we shall meet no more!” “I was on my way to see her,” said Charles “and I also expect to have a serious and solemn discourse with her; for I feel it tobe my duty to make one more attempt to save the erring creature—to bring her back into the path of virtue - “She will not suffer you to act ds a medium of communivation between hereclf and Miss Kvelyn,” interjected Edgar. ‘“ But go and see her; for there are many reasons why she may listen to you in reference to matters whereon she would not permit me to touch.” The two young men separated ; and Marcellin, not feeling any inclination to return into the midst of the gaieties of the British Hmbassay, entered a calé to while away an hour with the newspapers. He had not been there many mo- moeuts when an Italian gentleman entered, bring- ing @ piece of intelligence which he at once com- municated to several acquaintances whom he met there. A decree had just been issued by the Grand Duke, removing the Count of Ramorino from the office of Minister of Police; and it further appeared that the disgraced functionary had already fled feom Florence, or at all events that be had disappeared abruptly to avoid the con- sequences of bis various misdeeds ; for the officers of justice had been vainly hunting for him in every direction. Meanwhile Charles De Vere proceeded to the hotel where Floribel Lister had taken up her quarters: but he inquired for her as tho Signora Ciprina, by which name she was known at the establishment. “ The signora,” replied the landlord, “ has just taken her departure.” “Taken her departure ?” ejaculated De Vero, in astonishment. “ How long ago P” “Not ten minutes have elapsed, signor, since the young lady departed. A postchaiso was ordered all in a moment . “ And whither hae she gone ?” demanded our hero impatiently. “ She said she was-going to Rome, signor,” re- joined the landlord. “ Nothing could be more hurried than the whole proceeding. I hope there is nothing wrong ?” “Nothing,” answered our hero; and he has- tened from the hotel, As he was retracing his way towards the British Embassy, absorbed in painful reflectiona with 167 regard to Floribel Lister, he again encountered Edgar Marcellin, who was just issuing from the ooffee-house. “Have you heard the intelligence ?” exclaimed the young Frenchman, “ Ramurino is displaced ewand he has fled !” “ And Floribel has departed,” cried De Vere. “She must have left as speedily as possible after bidding you farewell.” “TI am not surprised at it,” said Marcellin. “But Ab! if you wish to eee hor, it may not be tov late. Come with me !” A hackney vehicle was passing at the time : Marcellin stopped it—he and Charles at once took their seate therein—and the driver was ordered to proceed to the French Embassy. “You cannot expect to find Floribel there ?” gaid De Vere, in astonishment. “But her maid Antonia is there,” answered Edgar ; “ and rest assured that she will not leave Florence witbout ber.” * Ah!” ejaculated Charles; “ then there ie a chance for me to see Floribel again! But why did not Antonia join ber mistress sooner ?” *The French Ambassador considered that as Antonia was a witness in the case which has thie- day been investigated, it was better she should remain apart from her mistress, so that the Judge might not be led to suppose there was any collu- sion, or straining of any particular points, ia order to clear my character or to throw any additional obloquy on the deceased Marcbioness. Whon the investigation was over, Antonia and Bernardo were ordered to repair at once to the Mirano mansion, to receive from the steward the wages that were due to them, and also to procure vbeir personal effects.—But here we are at the Embassy !” Marcellin and De Vere leapt out. The former hastened to put a few questions to the porter at the entrance; and then, again turning towards his friond, he said, “We are too late! she is gone !” P “Gone? Who P Antonia ?” ejaculated Charles. ‘¢Yea,” replied Marcellin. “ It appears that Antonia only returned with her boxes from the Mirano mansion ten minutes ago; and at the very game instant a postchaise drove up——~" ‘Ab! I understand !” said De Vere. “ Floribe} came to fetch Antonia !” “ This is. what I thought she would do,” rejoined Edgar: “ but we are too late! Yet there is still « inance! Come quick, De Vere!” The young men again sprang into the hackney- vehicle; and now Kdgar ordered it to proceed te the Mirano mansion. ‘ Fioribel,” he said, “ will perhaps call thereto procure her own effects; # , the steward has re- ceived orders to give the « up to her.” *Ah! then there is still a chance!” exclaimed rd De Vero; “for I would not that we should part , ‘hus without one last effort on my part to establish her welfare on some solid foundation.” The two young men reached the Mirano msp._ { sion; but as they sprang forth from the vehicle, they beheld no postchaise waiting in front of the entrance. Their oyes swept along the street—bu no retreating vehicle met their view ; nor did th sounds of any equipage fall upon their earav “It ie imposmble,” exclaimed Mageellin, “ thie Oa COM * ElOOO SS