Agnes Vol. 2 — page 278: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLRASUTE, 271 am not selfish—heaven knows that Lam not, “This is too much!” exclaimed our hero, almast greedy nor grasping !—but I have little doubt that ‘indignantly. “I did not seek to come amongst my deceased friend has named me his heir. Long you—TI courted not the welcome which you gave— were wo as brothcrs to each other; and besides, the ,f am here through an orror, which even yet haa mero fact of his entrusting -his last will and testa- | not been cleared up or explained by the man Ig- ment to my keeping, sufticiently indicates the ' natio who sorved as my guide——” generosity of his design towards me. But whydo; “Enough!” interrupted the Marquis of Ortona, I at present mako allusion to the subjectP I will | speaking with a sevority that might even be deno- tell you,” continued the Marquis, raising his voice | minated sternness. “ We havo our rules and our go as to be heard by every one within that vaulted | regulations—and we are bound by our oaths to apartmont, “I¢ is because if my conjecture | carry them out. You must join us!” should prove true, and if the Camerino estates; ‘And if I rofuse?” domanded our horo, should be bequeathed unto mec, I swoar that all! “You will abide by the ponalty,” responded the their revenues shall be devoted to the furtherance Marquis in a tone of significant warning. of the good cause—the emancipation of Italy “ And that penalty?” asked Charles. from the sway of a number of petty tyrants, and “Death!” was the solemn rejoinder. the recognition of its homogencousness as a na- tion !” . Theso words were received with indications of applause, but of # cautiously subdued nature. CHAPTER XLVII Scarcely had they subsided, whon the threo pecu- liar knocks were, given outside the door; and the THE SPAKTIVENTO PALACE. Countess di Milazzo herself hastened to open it. Sho gave admittanco to a man whose garments For a moment a paleness appeared upon tho were travel-aviled, bué whose countenance instan- ! countenance of Charles De Vere—-but it was only tancously gluwed with enthusiasm as his eyes wore | for a moment; and in a firm self-possessed voice, swept around upon the conclave ; and with a hasty | he said, “Beforo God and man, I protest against but respectful salutation to the Marquis ofOriona, | the horrible iniquity of your conduct !” ho oxciaimed, “ Glorious news, brethren! Tvery- * At all evonts,” said Father Falconara, rising thing is ripe at Leghorn for the revolt—and dicre from his aeat, “ let the cause of the error——if crror you will be received with open armsby the popu- it be—uadergo the nicest scrutiay. We owe it to Jaco !” ourselves to ascertain by what means persons who Again were the indications of applauso mani- have nv business hore can bo introauved amongst fested, but still in a subdued and cautious mannor, us.” — though throurzhout the apertment every ayo “Yes,” said our hero, “let the matter be flashed with enthusiasm ; and ag Charles De Vere sifted to the very bottom; for with the present happened to fling his looks upon the Countess di 'comploxion that it wears, I fecl as if I had been Milazzo, he was literally amazed by the spectacle | inveigled hither under a moro pretext to be ren- of patriotic ardour which sho presented to the | dered the victim of a cold-bloodod murder.” view. ILfer eyes were inagnilicent in their Jumi- ~ 6You must not speak in this strains, signor,” nousness— her cheeks gluowed—her lips were parted | said the Marquis of Ortona. “But tho matter shall with « triumphant smilegand sho waved her | be investigated. Imgnatio, ’tis for you to give the kerchief in her boautifully formed hand. | first explanation.” All of a sudden wa mombor of the conclave rose Am I to speak out freely,” asked Ignatio, “in from hia seat, and said to the Marquis of Ortuna, the presence of one”—and he glanced tuwsrda Do “ My lord, our enthusiasia has hurried us beyond Vere—“ who is now proved to be a stranger the bounds of caution.” amongst us.” There was a sudden sensation, as if everybody “ Yes—-speak out,” replied the Marquis of Or. now allin a moment reculleeted something which tona; “ for either he will presently become one of an instant beforo had been forgotten ; and all cyes us or he will die!” wore fixed yon @burlos De Vere. “ My lord,” resumed Ignatio: “I may as well ‘Whatever mistake may have been made,” state for the information of any members present continued the previous speaker, “in respect to the | whodo not know mo, that Iam one of the numor- mode whereby this kinglish gentleman obtained | ous éravelling brethren whoso duty it isto bear admission amongst us, there can be now no mis: | verbal information trom placo to place, so that the take as to the way in which we must deal with him.” | initiated mey maintain a correspondence amongst “This is true,” said the Marquis of Ortona. | taemselves. Nearly a yoar has elapsed since I “Signor De Vere, whatever tho mistake may have | learnt, from Nino Corso in Naples, that this young beon, you are now compromised beyund the possi- | gentleman ”"—pvinting to Do Vero--“ was an in- bility of recall; and you must swoar according to | timate friend of the Count of Camerino. And now - the prescribed forms, to join us with heart and | permit me, my lord, to ask whether I did not re- hand—tfo succour our objects with all your re- | ceive from your hand certain papers ” sources, mental, physical, aud pecuniary -——” ) “I know what you mean, [zgnatio,” interjected “Stop, my lord!” ejaculated our horo: “you! the Marquis. “Tha other day, whcn our beloved are askin of me impossibilities! I will bind | and respected leader died, I found amongst otuer myself by oath never to reveal what 1 havo either ! papers in his pocket-book three or four lists of heard or scen in this plece ” | names; and raturally concluding that theso wero —“féis not sulicivat 1” ejaculated severul voices, | the desiznatiyns of persons devoted to vor Cause, speMing menacingly. © Xou must join us! You | 1 gave the papers to Ignatio that ho :0i7.6 use must be one of us!” them at his discretion.” EOMRniicooolkxs (C@