Agnes Vol. 2 — page 71: what you’re looking at

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

6% the British Ambassador at Florence and duly notify all that had occurred. Charles eutered the village ; and he looked about for a tavern to which stables might be attached— or fur a farm homestead—or even for the Govern- ment posthouee iteelf as a last resource. But it was the firat of these which arrested his view,— an inn of decent appearance, with a promising sign proclaiming “accommodation for man and boast,” and with stables adjoining. Charles rang the bell; but several minutes elapsed before his summons was answered. Then an upper window was opened; and a middle-aged man thrust forth bia head, demanding who wae there P “ An English traveller,” replied Charles, “ who by a vargety of circumstances has been deprived of his mody.cr ‘conveyance, and who has lost his we Lh “Ah (”? ejaculated the landlord—for such the in- dividual was: “ another tale of the robbers, I’ll be bound ! Wait a moment, good sir—and you shall be admitted.” . Cuarles Do Vere bad not thrown away his fire. arms; for with the prospect of eternal imprison- ment before him if he were captured, he had re- sulved to resist as long as pvssible in case of an attuck, and provided that be telt himself justified in running the chance. But he had secured his carbine and pistol under his upper cuat, which he buttoned across his chest. Ife bad already deter- mined to tell some tale of robbers in order to ac- count for the predicament in which he was placed ; and the words spoken by the landlord seemed at once tu show him that this would be the very best excuse he could devise. The front door of the inn opened; and the landlord, having huddled on & portion of bis apparel, made his appearance, in- viting Charles to enter. “There's a bed-cbamber all ready, signor—with nicy clean »c°etg. pired and put on yesterday; and the kitchen fire is now boing lighted—so that if you chouse .to have, any refreshment brought 93 URL) mrncceeen “My good man,’ interrupted Charles, “ I can- not tarry to partake of your hospitality, for I am sompelled to journey on as fast as I may be able; —and therefore, to cume to the puint at once, savo you a horse to sell or to let on hire P—and n either case, the price shall be of your own etthog.” ‘““A horse, signorP Yes-—to be suro and is good au animal—surefooted and fleet—aas ever rou could wish to sect eyes upon. But the price —the price, signor,” he added slowly, as be de. iberately surveyed our hero from head to fout, ~ “the price, signor, is a heavy one ” “No matter!” ejaculated Charles, delighted at he prospect of at once obtaining the means of acing bimeelf beyond the reach of danger. “ Well, signor, if you don’t mind sbuut the rice,” resumed the landlord, “the horso is yc ur’s. , suppose you are journeying towards I'lo- ence ” “ Florence? .«Nu—not cxactly. In fact,” con- inued our hes‘ I was guing in just the oppo- ite direction. Tke neighbouring Stato—— it is eally of little consequence to me whether I first gach the Duchy of Lucca or the Roman do- ainions I am only travelling for amuse- aunt ame Ox US a Sem, 0 a a G © ey Se ewmes wren Oe * ve AGNES; OR, BHAUTY AND PLEASURE. “Oh, well,” said the landlord ; “ then if that’s the oase, it must be a matter of indifference whivh road you take, signor. As for the horse, it’s close at hand But excuse me, signor—the bargaiu is ready cash, you know ?” “T fully meant it |” ejaculated Charles; and eager to convince the man that he possessed the means of completing the purchase, he thrust his hand into his trousers’ pocket, but without unbut- toning his coat, so that he lifted up a skirt for the purpose. “ Here!” he exclaimed, displaying lig purse, which was well filled with coin: “ you cau nu longer doubt-——” “‘ Duubt, signor P” ejaculated the landlord. “ I never for a moment duubted that I hyd to du with a gentleman. Please to step this ‘way, signof. Tho hostler is doubtless up by this time it’s getting on for four o’clock and the horse post stops here to change soon after four.” The landlord led the way into tho kitchen, where a woman of about his own age was lighting the fire; and he said, “ This ‘is my wife, si:nor, who will make you a cup of coffee befure you take your departure,” “Thank you,” returned Charles, fearful that his conduct would lovk suspicious if he declined the proffer. “This way, signor—this way, tv the stables!” suid the landlord, proceeding towards a side duor. “Dear me! how stupid! Where is the key, wife P”’ . “Here,” responded the woman, taking a key from the mantel. As her husband received it from her hand, he hastily whispered something in ber ear ; and then sped with every possible display of the must vffictous politeness to throw open the door at which Charles was impatiently waiting. They passed into the stable-yard: an old hostler was just unfastening tho dor of some outhouse where provender was kept; but he nvow has. tened to obey his master, who ordered him to bring out “the brown horse” from the stable, The anima) was accordingly led forth; and thougn his appearance certainly promised but little tu fulfil the high character which be had ere now ree ceived from his owner; yet Charles did not offer a single objection—he was only too glad to ensure the means of conveyance, as weli as only too anxious to obtain prompt possession of it. ‘The landlord made tho old hostier parade the animal to and fro after the approved fashion of all jobbers in such cattle; and he kopt cxpatiating on the merits of the brute until bis culogies began tou pass the bounds of ludicrvusness and 4 savour of the most barefaced cheating to which De Vere bad ever been subjected. He was therefore chafing, with mingled indignation and impatience; and yet he was 4o situated that he dared nut betray either. At length he began tu observe that tue landlord kept throwing a hasty glance in the direction of the door opening from the kitchen; and now it all in @ moment struck De Vere that the fellow was merely performing a part in order to gain time for the perpetration uf some treacbery. The youth telé that be was betrayed ; and he resulved tu muko one last desperate cifurt tur his escape. . “Bring the saddle!” he ejaculated — for the uniual was already bridled. ‘* Be quick with sou, vid man!” -he added, thue speaking tu the lb gaa Bo oe ue at os ted COMME HOG SS