Agnes Vol. 2 — page 59: what you’re looking at

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

b0 AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURR. cage = dlg@bee = oe “tN Ct AP OPA RRaMndsth gS om aay o DEE My al DRG maton sy ponfidence with which I have treated you. Be-) not only in respect to what I have now in my sides, I know that I may trust you—thero is some: / hand”—and she chinked the gold—“ but likewiso thing in your lovuks—in your wor ds——~” — in reference to what I may obtain from Lucrezia “Yes, you may trust me!” exclaimed Ciprina, } Mirano. Love—jealousy—and & wounded young “And now——” gentleman! ‘hen, doubtless becauso the dagger “One word more,” proceeded the wise-woman. | had failed to do its work, recourse must be had to “You told me that you owed me your life—that | poison! The whole matter is as clear as possible! the antidote I furnished saved you from the effects of the Marchionese of Mirano’s poison-—~”’ “Ah! did I say that it was the Marchioness ?” cried Ciprina. “You did not say it,” rejoined La Dolfina; “but I had no difficulty in forming the conjecture after the turn which the conversation took relative to her ladyship. Doubtless there has been love— there has been jealousy—and the wounded young gentleman id “Oh, detain me no longer,” cried Ciprina; “but give me whatsoever medicaments you may decm requisite; and as your skill is great, I be- seech you to furnish mo with whatsoever hints and suggestions for his treatment you may deem it advisable to offer from all that I have told you.” Tho wise-woman bade Ciprina remain whero she was, whilo she passed into the adjacent room, closing the door behind her. In about ten mi- putes she reappeared, carrying two phials and a small box in her hand. “Thore,” she said, presenting one of the phials, is a potion which you must administer to your patient immediately on your return to the house. It will produce a long and deep sleep: but when the slumber passes away, you will be enabled to judge of the good effects of the medicamont, If Lo-murrow evening you find your patient at all restless and irritable—J mean, if any circum- stances should arise to counteract partially or materially the good effects of this potion—you must administer the pill contained in this box ; and a balmy slumber will again ensue. This second phil contains my suvereffn antidote, the pflicacy of which you have alrcady been cnabled to appreciate.” Ciprina received the two phials and the pill- box, and secured thom about her person. She then bestowed a urther proof of her liberality upon the wiseewoman; and she was about to tako ber departure, when recollecting something, shie in- quired, “Hus the Marchioness of Mirano been to you to complain that your poison was ineffectual, or to ask an explanation of its failure P” ° La Dolfina shouk her hoad. “And if she were to come and demand some poison which could not possibly fail ” “Set your mind at ease,” rejoined the woman. ‘Dil L not tell you the other night that the antidote is efficacious against every possible poison that passes the portals of the lips ?” “ Enough !” ejaculated Ciprina ; and bestowing upon the woman a goud-natured grateful smile, sie took her departure. As she proceeded along the afreets, she said to herself, ‘“‘ And thus I have discovered where the wretched Lucrezia purchased the puison with which she meant to take my life and that of Edgar !’’ On thgother hand La Dolfina, while counting over the pieces of gold she had received from the young lady, chuckled aud laughed as she sail to herself, “ This is a good evening’s work! Yes— Yes, yes !—~and if the Marchioncss comes to mo again, I shall know how to play my gamo with her. The pretty Ciprina revealud as much as it was important for me to know ; whereas I on tho — other hand cared nothing for revealing what I did in reference to myself in order to evoke her confi- dence and draw her out!” Meanwhile Ciprina was wending her way back to the Mirano mansion, which she re-entered without being observed by any one; and she asccnded to her suite of apartments. Antonia was in the ante-room, keeping watch: but hor services had not been required during the bour of Ciprina’s ab- sence. Tho young lady hastened to tho invalid’s chamber ; and she found him impatient fur her return—so that the moment sho made her appear- ance ho spoko fretfully and petulantly, complaining that she had been absent so long. Ciprina, with. out showing the least anger at the unjast and unkind accusation, replied with great sweotness, assuring Edgar that she had been detained by the wise-woman -nerself, and produeng the potion which she had brought with her. The young Frenchman, perceiving that he had spoken harshly, threw his arms about Ciprina’s neck-drew her face down to his own—and imprinted kisses upon her lips. He then swallowed the potion which sho administered ; and in a few minutes ho sank off into a profound slumber. Ciprina watched for a long time by the side of his couch; and she was rejoiced to perceive with what tranquillity and serenity he slept. At longth fucling assured that this slumber would last in its refreshing placidity throughout the night, Ciprina resolved to make preparations for retiring to her own couch. Assisted bY Antonia, she examined the pieces of silken thread which were hung along the walls of the bouduir and the two bed-chambers, to assure herself that they were all in order, and that the bell hanging over the head of ber bed would be rung by the slightest vibration of any of those threads. Antonia then mado her own bed on the sofa #hich stoud against the wainscot wall in the ante-room; and shortly afterwards tho silence of sleep prevailed throughout that suite of apartments. The night passed without any disturbance ; and when Ciprina awoke in tho morning and poeped into Edgar's chamber, sho found that he was still slumbering serenely. She let him sleop on; aud it was not until between ten and eleven in the furs. noon that be awoke. He was much refrosheod— his spirits were improved—his temper had lost that irritability which it had on the previous day diaplayed: his eyes were brighter—and thero was a slight eclour upon his cheeks. But this was not the hectic huo of fever: it was a wholosume sizn— his hands were cool—his lips were moist—and his tungue was no longer parched. “ Anothor night's rest such as this,” exclaimed Ciprina, with accents and luvke of delight, “ an you will be convalescent !” “'Y es—if the machinations of that vile wou an,” GOnRMGOOOKS (CO