Agnes Vol. 2 — page 263: what you’re looking at

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

She bad risen from her seat, and she accepted the bouquet—for it was proffered with eo much woll.bred courtesy, and with such an easy olegant respectful gallantry, es to render the donor’s man- ‘ ger indescribably winning—we had almost said fascinating. “ Pray be seated, my lord,” said Floribel, with an amiable smile, as she indicated a chair. “Not until I eee you eit down first,” eaid the Marquis, with a low bow; and it struck Floribol that hia voice was somewhat nervous and trem- bling for aman who had the hale appeerance of about forty years of age, | She eat down; and ¢hen the Marquis took a scat likewise. “I went last night,” he pursued, “ to witness the debit of a new actress and the representation of some dramas which are great favourites with me: but I saw neither debdtante nor perform- ances. I beheld naught but you.” “ Your lordship can speak very pretty flat- teries,” replied Floribel, “ as well as present very protty nosegays.” “Truths are not flatteries, my dear madam,” re- joined the Marquis; and thie time as he bowed, the conviction flashed upon Floribel that the beau- titul black curling hair was only a wig most artis- tically got up. “ Your presence last night at tho theatre, so sudden and so anexpected,” he con- tinued, “came upon me with all the effect of a delightful dream ; and when you departed at the close of the performance, it appeared as if dark- ness had suddenly fallen upon my eyes.” Floribel was just thinking to herself that even though the Marquis wore a wig, he had nevor- theless very beautiful teeth, when a slight move- ment onthe part of the entire upper range sent another disagreeable conviction flashing to her mind ;—and this wae that bis teeth were false! “ You cannot be surprised, my dear madame,” he continued, “that after your appearance made such an impression on me, J should venture to pre- sent myself here to-day. Tell me in one word that my visit ie disegreeable~and I depart with a thousand of the humblest apologies for having paid it. But tell me on the other band that I am not too bold, and you qill infuse a perfect rap- ture into my soul!” “You come to me, my lord, with so much kindnese,” replied Floribel, glancing at the beau- tiful bouquet, “that it is impossible I can say your visit is displeasing Yet after all it must bave an object ?” “It bas an object—and it has a hope,” re- sponded the Sardinian nobleman. “ You are beautiful—and I worship you. Consent to become the idol of this worship~and see with what choice gifts I will enrich the temple that aball enshrine you! There is a spacious mansion not far from; hence, bearing the name of the Crescentino Palace. Ten leagues from Turin there is a beau- tiful country-seat ina park, bearing the name of the Creecentino Chateau. Either is at your dis- posal : or you may divide your time between both. At each there are numerous equipages and troops of domestics : the former are at your command the latter would be proud to obey you as smount ;—and there is in your presence an indi- i cheir medioere means: there is xistress. There is in the next street a banker burgh, with hie odours whe will honour your drafte, no matter for what ciancy, aud bie AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE, vidual who will never weary of affording proofs of his devbted love if you will but condescend ta ab- cept it!” _ _ While the Marquis of Crescentino was thus speaking’ Floribel discovered that hie whiskers, which at firet had seemed to be of a glossy black, were in reality dyed; for they had that peculiar tint which betraye the artificial colouring when the sunbo:,me fall upon the heir whose natural greyness is thus dieguised. And she furthermore became convinced that the well-fitting coat was akilfully padded so as to set off a figure which ago had emaciated ; and abe perceived that brilliant diamond rings glittered upon wrinkled fingers. In ahort, as she thus discovered in detail how com. pletely the Marquis was made up, she waa gradu- ally led on to the conolusion that instead of a man in the prime of life who was thas entreating her love, it was an old man whose age exceeded sixty. Yet this discovery was sccompanied by no sensation of disgust; for, in the first piace, it came upen ber gradaally—and in the second place, his bearing’ was eo gentlemanly, his manners so polished, hie demeanour so kind, that if he had presented himself as a friend she would have been quite prepared to take a liking tohim. And then too, his person conveyed the idea of tha most scrupulous cleanliness and the most fastilious nicety ; so that notwithstanding all the artifices and succedanecas contrivances which were so skil- fully combined for the purpose of knooking off twenty years in his appearance, there was naaght to mapire a feeling of loathiag end disgust for the Marquis of Cresew-:tino. “You have fraukly made certain proposals, my lord,” said Floribel; “ead I will as frankly tell you that I am propared to take them into con- sideration. J give you no dofnite answer now— but to-morrow you shall hear from me.” “I bow to your will and pleasuro,” responded the courteous nobleman, rising from his seat. “Yes—I yield submissively: but, Ob! it will be with euspense and impatience, so far as i myself am concerned! In the meantime is there any- thing I can do to serve you or to save you the slightest trouble P You may command me. Mako me your banker—your messenger—your escort— or your lacquey—and I shall be happy! And even if your decision should to-morrow prove un- favourable, at least suffer me to continue your friend.” ‘I am really touched by your kindness,” re- joined Floribel; “and I wish that I had some setvies which your lordship could render moe in order to prove that I do not hesitate tu appeal tu your friendship But there is none, You shall hear from me to-morrow, my lord.” The well-bred and gallant old nobleman took Floribel’e hand—bent down and just touched it | with bis lips—and then with alow bow quitted | the spertment. Again did Floribel give way to her reflections on the incidents of the morning; and with a smile of triumph upan her lips, she murmured, “I may now take my chvice amongst four persons! There io Captain St. Didier, with his handsome face and the Baron von Friad- of tobacco, his self-suffi- well-filled purse: there is tho Marquis with his well-bred air, his riches, and WOO @ COWL <S (SO