Agnes Vol. 2 — page 81: what you’re looking at

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

73 The turnkey thrust his hands into De Vere's pockets, but found about his person no articles ‘9 addition to those which had already been pro- _rt . have now to inform you,” eaid the official, “that the other five colls in this building are occu- pied, each containing a prisoner ———” “Ab!” exclaimed Charles: “ who are the unfor- tunate beings P” “To you,” replied the turnkey, “they are Numbers 24, 26, 26, 27, and 28,—in the same way that you will only be spoken of to them as Number 29.” Our bero felt his blood run cold at being thus reminded in so forcible a manner of the complete loss of his identity within thoso walls; and scarcely even the hope which je had formed in consequence of encountering T'ather Falconara, could prevent him from sinking at that moment into despon- Gency. “Iwas about to inform you,” continued the turnkey, “that as you are now six in number, the day will be divided into as many periods for the purposes of exercise. You will thus have the priviloge of walking for two hours daily in that eourt-yard. It is almost unnecessary to warn you against seeking to communicate with any of the prisoners in the same compartment: but yet I may as well add that if by any possibility of acci- dent, oversight, or hazard, there should seem to arise an portunity for such communication, it were well for your own interest that you yielded not to the temptation. or if discovered, you would find to your cost that tho Castle of Bagno possesses dungeons to the subterranean horrors of which this cell is a perfect paradise in comparison. And now one word more! There is a chaplein attached to the fortress. Ah! I remember—you saw him just now in the lobby. You are not compelled to recoive the visits of his roverence against your inclination: but if if, suit you to have rpiritual consoler, you can have none other than he.” “1 shall be glad to receive his visits,” replied Charles, inwardly hoping that it would not be very long ere Iuther Falconara crossed the threshold of his cell. The turnkey now took: his departure: but in few minutes he returned, accompanied by a juni official, who brought our hero his breakfast. 18 consisted of a tin mug, or pot, containing about a pint of weak coffee, and a tolerably large piece of bread of inferior description, but by no means ‘un- eatable. When Charles was again alone, he sat down to partake of the food thus supplied him; for despite his mental anxiety, he felt the need of bodily refreshment. The cell was about twelve feet square, of alto- rable height, and with a window placed high up, and so cefended by a range of iron bars sloping up toward the ceiling, that no one, even if climb- ing up thereto, could obtain a prospect of what- seever premises lay beyond. The furniture con- sisted of a bed, a table, a chair, and toilet appa- ratue. The walls had been recently whitewashed ; and the place, was cleanly enough. Charles thought of FWibel, and wondered how she was bearing up against her captivity: he sighed also as he reflected that in all the circumstances which had thrown them together, there were the proofs AGNES; OR, BUAUTY ANP PLEASURE. nly too plainly apparent that ehe was still lexd- ing an immoral and vicinus life. Ob! if be ro- gained his liberty, and if he succeeded in pra curing her emancipation likewise, what measureba must he adopt to guard her against a relapse into 7 the ways of error? what saving treatment coi he possibly apply to her? Must ho send her back , to the companionship of her pure and virtuous, cousin? No!—this was not to be thought of y But what other influence would redeem her? i . A couple of hours had elapsed since Charleg/tirst crossed the threshold of that cell, and hg more and more impatient for the coming of Falconara. At length the massive bol drawn back—the huge key grated in the locg—th’ door was opened by tho turnkey—~and tlic Soup ecclesiastic was introduced. t “Return in half-an-hour,” said Fathor #4- conare to the gaol official. The man accordingly departed, having prez iously refastened the door; for all the rogulatio s of the prison-castlo were carried out with the strictest regard to discipline. . Now that De Vere found h-mself alone with the priest, he made a movement as if to grasp him by the hand: he could even have embraced him as a friend whom Providence itself had reared up to succour him in the midst of his misfortunes! But to his surprise, and even tu his diamay, Iathor Falconara drew back, and scomed anxious to avoid any unnecessarily closo contact with the pri- soner. “Good heavens!” ejaculated Charles, who sud- denly fancied that ho comprehended the cause of the young priest’s coolness; “is it possible that a vindictive spite, or else a guilty terror has gone so far in respect to mysolf, as to malign and miare- present me a “TI have heard nothing to your discredit,” in- torrupted Father Falconara. “No one has told me wherefore you have been brought bither, for the simple fact that ngbody within theso wall: knows anything on the subject. Noither am I permitted to inquire.” “But you may hear my explanation ?” exclaimed Clrarles eagerly. yy “No,” rejoined the young ecclosiastic. “I must not even give ear to your explanation.” “ Good God!” cried Charles, his heart now sink- ing within him: “then it is utterly useless for me to have fallen in with you! I dare not even hope for the sympathy of friendship,~I who had looked forward to its succour !” “J have already given you to understand,” said tho priest, “that though tho duties which I have sworn to fulfil shall be accomplished to the very letter, yot that no earthly power can stifle the throbs of a Christian heart in sympathy with the unfortunate.” * Ah!” ejaculated Charles, his countenance be- coming animated with delight; “now you speak ° in a strain which 1s welcome to my ears !”—and he rushed forward to seize the ccolesiastio’s hand. “No! no!—keoep back!” said Father Falconara, in a tone so peremptory and even stern that again was our young hero transfixed with astonishment and dismay. “ Good God!” he once more oried: “you tront me thus—and yet you say that [ have not bed maligned in your hearing ?” DOOKS (C@