Agnes Vol. 2 — page 72: what you’re looking at

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

Pe SPER Be PR 02 Rhye =e ‘hostler; “and here is something for your pains!” The latter, greedily grasping the handsome fee which Charles slipped into bis hand, sped to the stable and quickly reappeared with the eaddle. “Tere, my good fellow !’’ said Charles, now addressing himeelf to the landlord: “ here is my purse! What is the price you ask for that horse ?” - “The price, signor?’” responded the man, scratching bie head and pretending to reflect, “Why, now I remember, it has not as yet been mentioned between us-———and before I conclude the bargain I must go and consult my wife ” “ Very well! Be gone, and be quick !” cried oar hero, wi was heartily glad to get rid of hirn. The landlorf hurried into the kitchen; and Charles lost ‘not a moment in putting on the saddle: the next instant he had caught up a stick which happerfed to lie conveniently near~and then in the twinkliag of an eye he was on the back of the animal. Hallo!’ exclaimed the landlord, rushing forth from the kitchen: “the bargain’s not concluded ! I will not sell the horse!—my wife won't part with him !”” ° “Ah! isit eo!" ejaculated De Vere. “ Then ‘ake this!”—and be flung the purse towards Lim. “Stop, stop, thief! nurderers! assassins ! ord. “Stop! stop!” But Charles was speeding away at a rate which he animal had not accomplished for a long time ast, and to which it was urged by the belabour- ng that our hero bestowed on ite sides with the tick serving him as a whip. The gate of the table-yard opening into the street of tho viilage, vas shut; but at the opposite extremity thero was nly a little narrow ditch, or open sewer, separa- ing it from the adjacent field. The ditch was ‘rossed ; and away the animal sped as if it had all nm a moment conceived an affection for its new naster, and entertained the instinctive idea that it nust do its best to help him in an emergency that ras only too perceptible. The landlord hastily picked up the purse; and pening it, found that it contained enough coin in rold and silver to purchase half.a-dozen such horses it oven the most extravagant prices which the most nconscionable individual could possibly put upon Hem. “Why do you cry after the youth?” demanded he old hostler. “ By all the saints! you are well mid, master !”" “But | have Jost double as much!” exclaimed he landlord. “That fellow is one of the no- rious robbers—one of the banditti " “ Banditti P— Robbers P” echoed the hostler, 1ow turming pale and trembling. ‘To bo sure !” vociferated the landlord: “ the obbers on whose heads, each and all—collectively r individually—so immenee a reward is placed !” “ What, so young a man — and ovidently a oreigner too, by his accent and hia dress ?” inter- ected the hostler, with a doubt as to the accuracy f ‘his master’s statement. “Yes, yes! I tell you I am positive! I saw ‘musket under his coat! Why the devil doesn’t Help! help! tobbers ! Fire !”” shouted the land- AGNES: ON, NEAUTY AND PLEASURE. 62 my wife return P It may not yet be too late! I sent her off for the mounted police that came into village last night-——Ah ! here tbey are!” And sure enough half-a-dozen sbirri on borse- back appeared at the gate communicating with the street, just as the landlord gave vent to that concluding ejaculation. He rushed forward to open the gate; and pointing with his extended arm, he cried, “There! there!” thus indicating the direction which Charles De Vere had taken: but the youth was by this time concealed from the view in consequence of having passed the brow of an eminence and plunged into a deep valley which lay beyond. The sbirri, whose special duty it was ¢o scour the Apennine roads and extirpate to Handi which infested them, were mounted on stéeda ad- mirably adapted for the purpose bythe blended qualities of fleetness and strength. Away they sped !—tho little ditch was crossed in a moment— through the field they galloped—and on reaching the eminence, they sent forth a shout of triumph to inform the landlord that the fugitive was in view. “You are a witness,” exclaimed the landlord, rubbing his hands gleefully, as he turned to the old hostler, “ that it was I who gavo the information P Besides, my wife can prove it—and so the roward is certain to be mine!’’ Ge CHAPTER XIT. THE TWO FUGITIVES. Wa must now return to the postchaise, which we left at the moment whon it was dashing off at the most rapid pace to which the driver could pos- sibly urge bis horses. The whole incident—or rather series of incidents connected iti! Charles De Vere’s escape, had taken place with such start- ling rapidity, that Ciprina was overwhelmod with mingled bewilderment and alarm. First there was the explosion of the carbin@, filling the chaise with smoke, and eliciting from her lips that scream which indicated her terror lest some one should have been killed by the weapon which was dis- charged, but which weapon it was she could not immediately perceive. Then, while the din of the report was yet vibrating in her ears, came tho sounds of the heavy blows dealt in rapid succes- sion upon the heads of the two sbirré by the pistol which De Vere had snatched from the hand of one of them. Almost at the same instant the door was dashed open with another startling din; and the next circumstance of which Ciprina becamo conscious, was the rushing forth of Charles him- self, and his encounter with the police-official who had leapt down from the bux, The next instant away sped the chaise; and Ciprina, who waa on the very point of springing forth after De Vere, fell bavk in the seat, smitten with tho cruel con- viction that if he had succeeded in escaping she herself was still a prisoner. The smoke quickly cleared away, os tho apeed with which the equipage dashed on caused @ cur- rent of air to sweep through ; and now the young lady flung looks of horrified suspense upon the two sbirri, lest they should present ghastly and et COMME HOG SS (C@