Agnes Vol. 2 — page 243: what you’re looking at

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

236 « “TY know nothing of his proceedings,” respondec Cicely. ‘And you aro also ignorant, perhaps, of th course which De Vero may have pursued? Surel: he would never dare to take his quadroon mistress to Naples, where his mother now resides: for I be lieve that she is a most estimable lady.” “I haye not seen Mr. De Vere,” answered Cicely, “since the day he was bold enough to call upon me as I have already told you: and then I ‘dismissed him from my presence. Yes—on dis- covering from his own admission how guilty he had been, I bade him leave the room !” “ But how did he become acquainted in the first instance with young Mr. Barrington and his wife ?” inquired Ormaby. “From something which the quadroon told me,” responded Cicely, “i¢ would appear that Charles De Vere partook of their hospitality when they were living at a retired village in the Apennines, aud when he was escaping from the fortalice of Bagno, during the many complications which were associated with the marvellously tragic history of Lucrezia di Mirano. No doubt on that occasion Charles De Vere repaid Gustavus Barrington’s generous hospitality by the seduction of hia wife !” “Enough! enough!” ejaculated Ormsby, “ it is indeed all too plainly apparent! Good heavens ! the farther and farther I get upon the pathway of the world, the more do I become acquainted with the iniquities, duplicities, and bypocrisies of human nature! Asif even all my former experiences were not sufficient, but that there must be new teach- ings to open to my knowledge fresh roads in the realms of crime ! hideous topic!—Ah! by the bye, Mrs. Hardress, you were speaking of the complications which arose in respect tu those recent circumstances that must have filled all Florence with amazement and horror. Now that I happen to be in this city, I would like to visit the Mirano mansion. Not that I have any morbid curiosity in respect to the place itself:—heaven forbid! But I have been informed that the late Marchioness possessed a picture of Lucrezia Borgia, to which she herself bore the thost wondrous resemblance.” ‘And you have been rightly informed, Mr. Hfargrave,” auswered Cicely. “That portrait, together with other pictures, was conveyed to the Count of Ramorino’s private residence: but it has now been restored to the Mirano mansion, which together with all the possessions of the guilty Mar- chioness, has been confiscated by the Government. It is intended, I believe, that everything should be sold shortly; but in the meanwhile visitors may inspect the picture gallery at the mansion.” “IT thank you for this information,’ answered Lord Ormsby ; “ and though but little inclined to sight-seeing in the present painful state of my feelings, yet 1 assuredly shall avail myself of the opportunity to contemplate a picture which may be regarded as the two-fold representation of ree markable female criminals. And now, Mrs. Hard- rese, with your permission I will turn to another topic. Might I inquire how long you have been travelling on the Continent ?” ‘A little more than a month — about five weeks,” said Cicely. ‘“-We left England imme- diately after that sad affair of which you may per- haps have heard: I mean the death of Mr. Clif- But enough, I say, upon that AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. ford in the duel which he fough¢ with my hus. band.” “TI merely put the question, Mrs. Hardreas,” resumed Lord Ormsby, “ because I was about to inquire whether during your travels on the Con- tinent, you had chanced to fall in with thet unfor. tunate girl————perhaps you know to whom I al- lude P—the cousin of Agnes !” *Ah!” ejaculated Cicely. “ You mean Filo- ribel ?” ‘*Yes—the unfortunate Floribel, who was so- duced under the semblance of a marriage by that villain whose name you ere now mentioned——= Theodore Clifferd !” | Cicely reflected seriously and deeply while Lord Ormeby was thus speaking. ‘He is almost sure,” she thought to herself, now that he is in Florence, to discover that Ci- prina and Floribel were one and the same person and if I tell hima falsehood on the subject, he may then disbeliove my statements in reference to Charles De Vere. I must therefore tell him ibe truth! But he need not know that my hue- band is upon Floribel’s track-~ perhaps by this ime with Floribel herself; who can tell ?” These:were the reflections which swept through Cicely’s mind; and then, when Lord Ormaby had i speaking, she said, “ Yes, Mr. Hargrave —TI have seen Fioribel.” * Ah! you have seen her?” he ejaculated. “ This i@ one of my objects in coming to Italy: for I ‘aithfully promised Agnes that I would discover, if sossible, the place where the unfortunate girl had iecluded herael ‘ “Mr. Hargrave,” interrupted Cicely, “I am bout to give you another proof of my friendship nd confidence. Prepare yourself to hear somo- hing extraordinary “What ! fresh marvels P” exclaimed the noble- an. “Ah! heaven grant that they be not con- nected with fresh iniquities also !”’ “Oh, again I am about to grieve you, Mr. Har- grave!” said Cicely. “You have heard of a cer- ain associate of the Marchioness of Mirano—one ‘hom report represents to have been almost as de- raved and profligate as the Marchioness her- elf - “What! CiprinaP” exclaimed Ormsby. “Yea -—-every one must have heard of her who has ieard of the Marchioness! But what, in heaven’s lame, can this allusion to Ciprina have to do with “loribel ?” “You are about to visit the Mirano mansion,” ‘esponded Cicely. “ There, amongst the new paint- ngs, you will behold a beautiful picture of a Bride, t was the work of one of the most eminent Flo- rentine artists ” “Well—and this portrait ?’’ cried Ormsby, iomewhat impatiently. “The face is that of Ciprins,” continued Cicely, It was she who sat as the artist's model. Goan ok at that face = “Just heaven!” cried Ormeby, “do you mean ——Bué no! no! itis impossible! As for me, I save never seen Fioribel herself: but I have con- implated a portrait of her, beautifully executed 'y the pencil of Agnes,” ‘Then go and look upon the face of Ciprina,” joined Cicely, “and you will kaow where i have et Floribel 1” ECORNICELOOO© SS COLUM