Agnes Vol. 2 — page 277: what you’re looking at

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

270 hero started: again his looks were swept around upon the assemblage—another surprise was in store for him~—for amongst those seated on the front bench he perceived Father Falconara! ‘But ere he had scarcely leisure to recover from this amazement, the Countess whispered in his ear, « Advance and salute the President.” Charles mechanically obeyed ; and his hand was warmly grasped by that of the Marquis of Ortona. Then Father Falconara, gliding from his seat, also pressed our hero's hand,—having done which, he returned to his place. “You are welcome amongst us,” said the Mar- quis, thus repeating those words which had ero now sounded with such ominous significanoy from the lips of the Princess of Spartivento. “ Brought hither by the same watchword which has assem- bled the other brethren who are so faithfully de- voted to the same good cause,~—-a cause which numbers among its disciples, not merely the pa- triotic sons of Italy themselves, but likewise Poles, Hungarians, French, and Hnyglish ad ‘My lord,” interrupted Charles, who had now completely recovered his self-possession, “before you proceed a step further—before you commit yourself by any fresh revelations—itis my duty to inform you that some grand mistake has been made ” ‘A mistake?” echoed the Marquis of Ortonn; and there was a murmur of surprise amidst the conclave, “ VYos—assurediy a mistako!’’? pursued Charles. *T came not hither knowingly through any watch- word i « low is this?” exclaimed the Marquis sternly ; while the murmur of surprise grow into ono of disupprobatiqn that was almost threatening. “ Did you not immediately recognise and ackuowledye the name that was breathed rapidly in your ear P” “The name of the Count of Camerino,” inter- jected Charles. ‘ Yea !—assuredly I know that name: and you, my Lord Marquis, must full well remember under what painful circumstances I be- came acqfainted with the Count last winter in Naples.” “And that name,” said the Marquis,—“ knew you not that it was a watch-word and a rallying sound 2” ‘Tl knew nothing of the sort,” replied our hero. “The name———” “Stop !” ejaculated the Marquis of Ortona, rising from his seat. “Ignatio, stand forward !’’ A man, whom our hero at onco recognised as tho individual who had guided him thither, stepped forth from his place at the further extremity of the vaulted subterrancan; and approaching the table, ho bowed respectfully to the Marquis. ““Tgnatio,” said this nobleman, “did you not ere now report to us that you bad found an un- doubted disciple in the individual who stands here-—that he had acknowledged the magical in- fluence of the watch-word, and that he had fol- lowed you?”’ “Such was the report I made, my lord,” re- sponded Ignatio ; “and it was a true one.” , “True to a certain extent !” interjected Charles: “but there was a misunderstauding betwixt us. Methought that the Count of Camerino summoned ‘me by means of an emissary, to visit hbin———”’ | “Ab!” said tho Marquis; “ then you aro igno- AGNES; Ok, BEAUTY AND PLEASUBE. rant of the fatal catastrophe which has deprived us of vur most intelligent leader and Italy of its best friend ?” “What mean you, my lord?” asked our hero. “Surely, surely, I am not to surmise the worst in reference to the Count of Camerino ?” Alas, yea!” rejoined the Marquis: “ the Count is no more! Upwards of throo weeks have elapsed since he perished from the injuries sustained by an accident which occurred to his travelling-car. riage.” “Good heavens!” exclaimed Charles, much affected, “that fine-spirited, magnanimous noble. man is no more!” “He is no more,” rejoined the Marquis, in a voice of profound mourniulness. “ Ho was juur- neying on businoss connected with the good cause, when the acvident occurred which led to his death. Father Valconara sustained him in his arms as ho breathed his last. From the moment the acci- dent occurred until the spark of lifé was extinct— an interval of some thirty-six hours—the unfour- tunate Count was unconscious of everything. I should perhaps inform you that the Neapvlitan Government had suddenly granted a free purdon for all pgst offences to the Count of Camorino; and’ I was expressly charged to bear that pardon to his lordship, who was supposed to be residing at the time on his egiates in Tuscany. I scent off specdy incssages to bid the Cuunt meet mo in Hlorence—but, alas! it was not dostinod that I should again bebold bim alive.” “and thus, my lord,” said Charles, “the timo came when you were to upen the sealed packet en- trusted to you by the Count at the close of last year, aud which I delivered to you according to his instructions P” “Rout assured, my young friend,” replied the Marquis of Ortona, “I have not forgotten that pucket. I deposited 1¢ at the time in a placo of security in my mansion &t Naples; and 1 have no doubt that it contains the will of my unfortunate deceased friond. Indcad, of this there can be no doubt: for, as you yourself have reminded me, thero 1s upon tho envelope an inscription tu the effect that tho packct was nut to be opened until the wriler’s death. 1 have sent a trusty messenger to my nutary nt Naples, giving him instructions how to act with regard to that packet. For imme- diately after the Count of Camerino’s death, it be- came incumbent on me to journcy hither without delay—so that I havo not beon enabled to revisit Naples since the deplorablo loss of our dear friend.” ‘* And where was ho interred ?” inquired sharies, “In the church of the town of Camerino, which ig upon the immense estates possessed by the de- ceased in the most fertile part of Tuscany. I fol- lowed his remains to the tomb—aud I shed many tears over the last scion of a noble raco!” ‘Ab!” said Charles wournfully, as he thought of Silvio who had lived so badly and perished s0 misorably; “there is no heir tu tho noble house of Camcrino !” “There 19 no hoir of that lineage,” said the Marquis of Ortona; “but whosuevor tho deceage4. roay havo designated as hia heir, will also associate with himsclf tho title of Count of Camerinn, in- asmuch as the distinction goos with the estate. I GOMmIGOOo <S