Agnes Vol. 2 — page 273: what you’re looking at

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

en AGNES; Of, BNAUTY AND PLRASURE, much my prayers, representations, and remon- strances may fail to divett your footsteps from the path of error, yet surely you will not prove equally indifferent to tho entreatics and the counsels which will no doubt be addressed to you by him who is perbaps seeking you in Italy-———” “What on earth do you mean, Charles ?” eja- culated Floribel: “to whom can you possibly allude ?” “The long lost is found—tho dead has come to life! Your uncle—the father of Agnes——"’ “Oh!is this possible?” murmured Floribel, as a faintness came over hor. “Guod heavens ! are you telling mo the truth P or is it mercly a strata- fom on your part—well meant, yet based on mis- represcntation,.for the purpose of wielding an in- fluenco over my mind—inducing me perhaps to return to Iin¢eland-———~” ‘* Floribel, I am incapable of deceiving you on so serious a subject! 1 take heaven to witnoss that J am telling you the truth. Morton Evelyn is alive!—he has proclaimed himself to me——~it matters not how nor why ho is rich and he 1s noble—ho is the veritable heir of the Ormsby race aftor al] {” * Good heavens! is thig truoP or is ita dream ?” murmured Floribel. “The doad alive! the lost found! Oh, what marvols! what wonders! Leave me now, Charles—I beseech you, leavo me to reflect _on all that you have been saying !”" “VYos—-f will leave you, Floribel,” responded our hero,—“ on condition tha6 you faithfully and sacredly promise me that you will not fleo from Turin as suddenly as you Lied from Florence—but that you will sce mo again.” “T promise you faithfully, Charles, I will not depart from Turin as abruptly as I departed frum Florence.” “} will return in tho evening,” said our hero; “and then, Floribel—ihen, you will suffer tac to have (he most serious conversation with you P” With these words Charles De Vere touk lis leave of Mioribel, and retraced his steps towards the Tote! de PEurope,—-there to await any message which Hector Llardress might thiuk fit to send him. The bi//ct which loribel ad entrusted to An- tenia, was quickly consigned to the hands of a porter, and by this functionary conveyed to the apartments of Captain St. Didier in the royal paince, The handsome young aide-do-camp was at home at the moment: ho pcrused the letter with oa feeling of delizkt, and immediately sot off to pay a visit to Signor Giovanni Petrucciv, Deputy-Inspector af the Central Bureau of Police, With this gentleman the business was quickly ar- ranged; and three police-agents in plain clothes, were at ones despatched to the Hotel do France. On arriving there, two of the agents remained in the street, while the third entered the cstablish- ment and inquired for the lion. Ilvctor Hardress. The walter at unce conducted the official to Lector’s apartment. Barely an hour had elapsed since the occurrence in Fioribel’s room; but Weetor was still pacing to and iro in the vain endeavour tu compose his foel- ings suuewhat, that he aight cciberate how ho wag fo proceed in order fo auake the requisite ar- ranpemonts for a duo} with De Vere. Dho waiter enicree, sesing, “Tf you piease, signor, a geatle- man wishes to speak to you.” “Ah!” ejaculated Ilardress —for it immediately struck him that Charles bimself must .have taken the initiative in the conduct of tho proceedings, “Admit tho gentleman, by all weans!” The police-agent in plain clothes was ushered into the apartment; and he at once announced himself as an officer of the law,—adding, “ It is exceedingly disagreeable, signor-—but I must re- quest you to follow me.” * Follow you?” ejaculated Hector. “ And where the devil am I to follow you to?” “Why, signor, if the truth must be told, [am charged to conduct you to prison.” © Prison P” echoed the young Englishman: and ho laughed scornfully. “D» you know who I am? Eam tho son of an English nobleman! Besides, there must be some mistake !—for I have done no- thing that could warrant you in arresting me.” “TI beg your Excellency’s pardon,” rejoined the police ayent; “you are charged with moditating a duel-——”’ “Ts it possible,” ejaculated Hardross, “ that Do Vere could have turned coward and poltroon— traitor and eneak—and that be has given infor- mation ad “So far from this boing tho case, signor,” inter- rupted | tho ? icial, “I have received orders to adopt particular measures against him alsv, ‘hese [ shall execute so svon as I have conveyed you to a place of security.” * Bat what are those measures ?” domanded Hector. “To seo that Signor De Vere quits Turin within six hours,” was the response. Aud if be do,” ejaculated ILector, “ then may I presume that my own term of imprison- ment Tt will not be necessary to rotain you, signor, anvther hour in custody,” was tho reply, dolivered with an cxceeding courtcsy. “Thon be 16 as you say,” said Wardross; “for i¢ is but a question of a few kuurs’ dulay—and if we aro not permittod to fight the ducl in Sardinia, I may follow De Vere iute France, whore they are less particular,” “In that respect, signer, you can do as you think fit,” rejoined the ailicer, with a polite bow. “At! I should observe that imasmuch as this arrest of your’s has been acconylished so quietly, no onc need know anything about it in the hotel. You can put a few little necessaries in your pocket—’tis but tho inatter of a few hours—and perhaps you will nut even be condemned to pags the night in gaol.” * Heaven turbid !” ejaculated Mardress, His preparatiuns were soon made; and in a few minutes he accompanied the police. officer from the hotel. About half-an-hour later, as Charles De Vero was seated in his apartment at his own hotel, the waiter entered and announced a gentloman who wished to havo some little discourse. Our hero naturally thought that it was a mossenger on be- half of JLector Hardress; and he was therefore startled aud amazed when the personage, on entering, at once said, “Signor, I am an agent of the police.” Charles, being somewhat moro keen-witted than, Hector, quickly began to suspect that the object of the oflicial visit was to preveut the duel: bué GOMMGIOOKSHEO inn