Agnes Vol. 2 — page 67: what you’re looking at

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

4 ~_ -— —- we «© 48 proot which [I can give you 18 contained in the assurance that to-murrow evening, botween eight and nine o’clock, he shall meet you at Signor Petroro’s dwelling.” “Ah, that is more favourable!’ ejaculated Charles joyfully. ‘‘ But may I inquire the mean- ing of all this mystery,—why the young guide who brought me hither, maintained so studied a silence when asked whither she was conducting me—why I was not permitted to know to what mansion I was being brought—and why ” Charlies stopped short, looking slowly round the room as if in allusion to its obscurity, with that dimly lighted lamp—and then éettling his regards upon the mufiled and voiled form of Ciprina heraelf. “ Hverything shall be explained,” resumed tho younp lady: “but I am about to make an appeal to you <: a gentleman ” “ Madam, I begin to understand !”” cried Charles, as he fancicd that all ipn.a moment a light broke in upon bis comprehension. ‘“ M. Marcellin has duubtiess found a friend who for certain reasons would fain continue unknown to every one but himeelf; and tho mansion which now harbours him, must likewise continue unknown, lest the knowledge of it should at once indicate who the kind friend hersolf is.” “Your eonjecture is accurate,” responded Ci- prina. . “ Oh, sir! you now comprebend how it is that an erring but loving woman throws herself upon your mercy! ‘AGNES: OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. 2 ete Stems maiden opened a door—we entored a garden—and thea another door almost immediately admitted us into the bouse itself. I tell you all this in order that you may bo completely reassured of the com- bination of circumstances, together with my own inclination, to induce me to keep the secret.” “Every sy:lable that fluws-from your lips con- vinces me,” said Ciprina, “ more and more of tho. generous loftiness of your sentiments and of the chivalrous honour with which you are inspired,” ‘Nay, madam,” said the youth, “I am but pere forming a duty under the peculiar circumstances in which I find myself placed. Even if on going forth from this mansion I found the night as light as day, with the stars and moon shining—or if all Florence iteelf were brilliantly ifuminated —-I swear to you that I would speed away without casting a look behind me of impertinent curiosity. And now tell me, bow long has M. Marcellin been afflicted with illness?—and has ho made any pro- gress towards the elucidation of that horrible mys- tery with which you are doubtless acquainted ? Or rather, perhaps, I ought to ask whether he has succeeded in obtaining those evidences 7 Charles De Vere’s speech was suddenly inter- rupted by what appeared to be the bursting open of a portion of the wainscot; and in the twinkling of an eye half-a-dozen sbirri rushed into the ante. - room. <A scream rang forth from Ciprina’s lips: the youth started up from his chair, with an eja- My honour is invoived—and | culation expressive of a sense of treachery: but were it not on account of the deep anxiety of | both the young man and the young lady were Edgar Marecllin to see you with the least possible | seized upon in a moment. Carbines and drawn delay, you would not have been introduced within | swords menaced them in fearful proximity: thoro these walls!” was an jnstant’s struggle on De Vere’s part—but ““ Madam,” replied De Verc, “ I ama gentleman | it was useless—for be was at onse overpowered. A and a man of bopour. You may rely upon me! | thick shawl was thrown over his head, wh a tho J would not for the world do aught that should { same process was being adopted in respeot to Ci- menace the happinesn of a lady who throws herself; prina; and they were tied over their mouths in upon my mercy; I even regrot that circumstances | such a way as to constitute gags muffling and should have rendexed it neccssary for you to give | stifling any sounds to which they might have given an explanation which savours of an appeal.” vent. But they were both silent now,—for Ci- “A thousand, thousand thanks for this generous | prina had fainted; and Charles De Vere, perceiv language !” responded Ciprina: “but such conduct ing how useless it was to resist the will of } on your part ie nothing less than what I could have | captors in any way, deemed it moro prudent to expected from an English gentleman in the high | hold his peace. diplomatic service of his country. You promise The sbirri burried their two prisoners along tho me, therefore, that you will not make any attempt | secret passage,—one of them tarrying for a mo- to discover whose mansion this is to which you | ment to close the door opening into the ante room ; have been brought-—nor who the lady is that now | and as the foremost carried a light, there was no nddresses you P” delay in threading the mysterious corridor. Down “ f swear most solemnly,” exclaimed the chival- | the staircase they hastened: one of their com- rous-minded Charles, “ that unless accident should | rades had remained stationed at the door com- at any time reveal these secrets to my knowledge, | municating with the stable-yard; and this there- they shall nover become known to me through any Inquiry or research of my own.” “ Again | thank you, sir,” said the young lady. “ To-morrow eveniug, I repeat, you shall see M. Marcellin; and he will reiterate the entreaties which 1 myself have made to the same effect.” “It is absolutely unnecessary,” rejoined Charles, with vehemence. “I will not permit him to give utterance to a syllable upon the subject! Nay, I will toll youggmore! I am totally unacquainted with Florence; and from Signor Petroro’s dwell- fore was thrown open the instant tho party began to make its appearance. No intruder nor looker-on was in that yard: the prisoncrs were hurried onward to a gate opening into one of the atreets that bounded the premises of the Mirano mansion : and a postchaise was in readiness at a little distance. Into this vebicle Ciprina was lifted, and Charles De Vere was ordered to ascend. The former re- mained in a state 0! unconsciousness: the latter, ~ being blindfolded, had continued in completo igno- ing to this mansion Lam completely ignorant of | rance of the mode of egress by which ‘he had been the streots through which your handmaiden led me, I will tell youmore yet! The night is pitch dark—and | beheld not the aspect of the mansion. A wall, with overhanging trees, was skirted—the hurried forth from the interior of the mansion. A couple of the sbirri took their seata in the chaise, opposite the captives: a third mounted the box —and the epuipage at once drove away. i@i COMNMUG AOC SS