Agnes Vol. 2 — page 55: what you’re looking at

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

46 certain matters which remain wrapped up in mys. tery—say, for argument’s sake, the assassination of that young page of your’s some months ago-—they only continue unravelled because they are of too little importance to inducoe me to wasto my own time or the funds of my department upon them.” It was with a growing uneasiness that Lu- crezia listened to thia speech, as she half reclined in the arms of the Minister, who still had one arm clasping her waist. For an instant she darted a juick look up into his countenance, to ascertain if that allusion to the death of Giulio had any- thing pointed in if, or if it wore a mere random observation : but there was naught in the expres- sion of the Count’s features to justify the appre- hension, Nevertheless, Lucrezia felt from this moment a vague sense—a sort of conscience: stricken idea—that she was, or at least might be, more in tho power of that man than she had hitherto anticipated. “And now, my dearest,” resumed the Minister, “ let us revert to the subject from which we have wandered away. Tho secret passage still exists and the entrance is where you have described it. Whither doves it lead ?” “ The secret passago communicates direct,’ re- turned Lucrezia, “‘ with the suite of apartments oc- cupied by Ciprina and her vile puramour. The door at the extremity is set in the wainscot of that room; and it opens ¢nz2vard—I mean that it opens AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURR. Ramorino, “I had better not trouble myself with any names or personal descriptions at all. If you are sure that there will bo only tne two birds in the cage at the time, and those the right ones, 1 will issue my orders accurdingly.” “Nay—I do not affirm that thero will be on/y the two birds,” rejoined Luerezia, “ because Ciprina might possibly have her favourite hand- maiden Antonia with her on the occasion. There- foro you must be sure, my dear Count, to givo your mon tho description of Ciprina.” “ T comprehend,” cjaculated Rumorino. ‘The order shall be to this effect—do arrest the Siqnora Ciprina, and any man who at the time may be found in her company.” * Precisely so,’ responded the Marchioness, her oe ere | | heart leaping with joy at the decision which had thus been arrived at, aud at the prespeet of be- holding Ciprina and Edgar Marcellin immured in a fortalice for the remainder of their days, td CHAPTER IX, ANOTHER VISIT TO LA DOLIINA, Wer must return to tho very persons whose names we have moutioned at the conelusion of the pre- ceding chapter. The reader has seen that when intu the passage itself; so that if any pivee of fur-{ Antonia announced to them the intention of the niture be standing against it inside the apartment, | Marchioness to preceed to her villa in the Vale of it can afford no opposition to the opeuing of the; Arno, dgar Marcellin was at once smitten with dvor und no permanent barrier to the entrance of} the suspicion that some new treachery was de- any one. There is a secret spring, which on the, inner side is communicated with by means of a brass knob; while on the other.side—namely, that of the room itse!f—its precise position may be as: ecrtained by reckoning the tenth from the bottom of the middle row of gilt nails which embellish the panellings of the wainscot.” . All thts I bear in mind,” observed the Minister, “as completely as if I had known the secret as long as yourself. But now arises another point. My sbirri, whom I shall trust with the enterpriso, may be enabled to distinguish Ciprina, because L shall afford them an accurate description of your treacherous Iady-triend. But how are they to recogniee this paramvur of her’s?—-for, as yuu may understand, 1 am supposing that by scmo accident the vile couple may have visitors. You -had better give mea minute description of the paramour.” “It is unnecessary,” replied the Marchioness, who, for several reascns, did not wish to excite the suspicion that the individual was Iudgar Marcellin, for fear lest Bamorino should beeume mistrustful on account of all these complications. ‘“‘ Believe roe, it 13 altugether unnecessary! Ciprina and her paramour will be alone together. Of this there is no doubt.” “At least,” interjeetel Ramorino, “you had better tell me the man’s name.” Ah, his name!” said ucrezia. “Let me see? I have sem, eo little cf him——I held him in such abhoyggnee——— But ah! I recollect: It is Bourdov. <AtJeast 1 think Ciprina so called him —— But dvubtiess he has a devon different names to suit his various purposes,” sizned. Ile longed to get beyond the walls of that house of peril: ho was porfectly convinced that Ciprina was dealing most faithfully as well as most kindly with him; but he dreaded lest she herself should be overreachod or rendered power- less by the intrigues and machinations of the de. testablo woman. Yet he still felt too weak to leave the apartment where he was being ao tenderly ministered unto : he felt likewise that the instant when he should go forth from tho Mirano mansion, he must adopt some prompt and decisive course—ani he could not be bliud to tho fact that he was deficient in energy, alike physical and mental, for such a proceeding. Thus, as the hours passed onward during the day whereof we are writing— namely, that yon which the Marchioncas went to her villa—he grew foverish and excited. Hitherto he had been progressing favourably: indeed on the morning of this day he bad risen from bis bad—hv had put on a dress. ing-gown — and for change of air and scene he had removed into the boudoir, or elegant sitting apartment belonging to the suita, Ciprina beheld with increasing pain and anxiety, as those hours elapsed, that Edgar was chafing at his con- finement—that he was irritating and exciting him- self. She knew that this was natural enough, under existing circumstances: but it was not the less to be deplored—and, if possible, must be pre- vented, As the reader may ensily imagine, she eaid all kinds of thiuge with the object of con- suling --alo redoubled, if possible, her assiduities —her attentions grew more tender and delicate. Gnee——and ones only—-she ventured to imauire what his future plans might bo-—thereby alludimg “hen the long und short of it is,” said] to the Marchiouess: but she saw that the topic COMME HOG SS (C@