Agnes Vol. 2 — page 246: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE, Tg Catrina did not immediately reply ; but at the expiration of a myute, she said, “We are not very rich people, signor—money is an object to us --and though perbaps my brother would not have consented to take the Jady into the house if he had known that such instructions as these were piven, yet I was a trifle less particular—and—and—in plain terms I consented to all that Signor De Vere dictated. But as heaven is my judge, I fancied it was because the woman must be crazed—I had then no suspicion that——~” “That what?” demanded Ormsby, as Catrina stopped short. “That the lady was Signor De Vere’s mistress,” rejoined Catrina. “Ah! then you have made this discovery ”’ ex- claimed the nobleman. “TI fear there can be little doubt about it,” re- sponded Signora Petroro. “ Look you, signor! the very day after the lady was brought to the house, my niece—whose name is also Catrina—went up to present hes with a bouquet as a tuken of civility : he did not know that the young English gentleman was there—so she opened, the door without knock- ing—and then she was very sorry, signor—for both the young gentleman and the young lady looked very much confused. The gentleman euatched away his hand, which the lady was pressing in her own, or else to her lips—I don’t know exactly which; and whether he had his arm sround her waist or not, I cannot exactly say—for I did not hike to question my niece too closely—she ia only An innocent young gir] of fifteen or sixteen years of age ” * Ah, well,” said Ormsby; “but at all events enough transpired to convince you that the young lady is the young gentleman’s mistress!” ‘Oh, no doubt about it, signor!” oxclaimed the woman; “no doubt about it! The more’s the pity: for she is a splendidly handsome creature, although her skin is even darker than that of an Italian. And he too @vems such a nice young man! But they do not agree—and it is evident that there is an awful jealousy or something of that sort—for the quarrels—-Ob, the quarrels!” “ Good heaven, is this possible?” exclaimed Ormesby: then to bimself he added. “Ah! untor. tunate young man! thou art already most terribly punished! God help any one who comes within the scope of that quadroon’s fierce, overbearing, imperious temper !” “Oh, the alteroations are sad enough!” conti. nued Catrina: “but as they are carried on in the English language, we cannot of course understand a syllable of all that is passing ” _.. .And how often does the young gentleman visit pe dgfhanded Ormsby. *‘ kvery eday* regularly,” rejoined Catrina ; » Sometimes in the morning — sometimes in the evening. To-day, as you have said, gj ~» he was there two hours; and the best ffart of the time they were arguing and reasoning and quarrolling. It was lucky my brother did not overhoar it; or 1 do really think he would have gone up and turned the young gentleman out of doors. But now they must leave! I myself shall not try to shield them any longer. I shall speak to Signor De Vere to- mogrow, and beg him to find another lodging for the lady.” “I thank you for the information you have 230 given me,” said Lord Ormsby: “it is, alas! cor- roborative of all the misgivings that I had pre- viously entertained.” “ Perhaps, signor, the young gentleman is your son Pp’ said the woman; “or the young lady may be related to you P” “No,” interrupted Ormsby; “but for other reasons I am interested—alas ! deeply and mourn- fully interested, in all that has transpired to my Knowledge in reference to that young man. But do not mention either to him or the Jady that an English gentleman has been making any inquiries concerning them.” “Qh, no! I pledge myself to silence,” an- swered Catrina. Lord Ormsby then took leave of her; and as he was proceeding at a slow pace and with pen- sive louks towards his hotel, he met the Hon. Mrs. Hardress. She was alone; for her sister-in-law Josephine felt indisposed and remained in her own apartment. “Mrs. Hardress,” said Ormsbv, “JT have re- ceived the sad confirmation of everything that you told me. In the first place 1 have been to the Mirano mansion; and there I beheld the picture in which is represented the beautiful face of Floribe]l. Tell me—do you know whither the erring gir) has proceeded 7?” “That is a complete mystery,” replicd Mrs. Hardress: “she departed with a strange abrupt- ness.” * But this ia not all that I have to tell you,” resumed the nobleman. ‘“ Another statement that you made me, has just been confirmed. I allude to Charles De Vere and the quadroon wife of Gustavus Barrington.” “Ah!” ejaculated Cicely. “ And now, Mr. Tar- grave, have you ° ‘J discovered where the prefligate young man had Jodged the faithless adulterous wife |” “Oh, you have discovered her abude?” cried Cicely: ‘‘ this 18 most fortunate! Just at tho moment I was coming out of the hotel—not a quarter of an hour ago—a courier,arrived from Kngland from Messrs. Millard and Co.—I think that was the name ” “Yos, yes!” ejaculated Ormsby; “the London agents of Mr. Pinnock of Jamaica.” “ Well then,’’ continued Cicely, “the courier brings letters of the utmost importance from the Messrs. Millard; for it seems that Mr. Pinnock, her uncle, 13 dead a “Dead ?” echoed Ormaby. “ Yes—dead !—and he bag left her his entire fortune. All this the couricr knows; for he gave me the details, as the landlord had been recom- mending the man to address himself to me to seo whether 1 could afford bim any informatiun in re- spect to the abode of the lady whom he sought.” “These aro indeed important tidings for Emily Barrington,’ said Ormaby. ‘ You would be ren- dering her a kindness, Mrs, Hardress, if you would direct the courier to the house where he may find her.” Lord Ormsby then named the street in which Petroro’s house was situated ; and Cicely promised to return at once to the hotel to communicate to the courier the discovery she hed made. “She will doubtless have to go to Jamaica,” thought Cicely ; “and then Charles De Vere will COLL <S ClOOO CO