Agnes Vol. 2 — page 91: what you’re looking at

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

BZ “Then at the prisoner be still in the castle,” hastily uw terjected the Giuvernor’s wile, “ho must be concealed somewhere in these rooms! Como, let us search! Lave you gut your pistols, lode rigs P”’ The man drew forth a brace from the breast of his surtout coat; and Signora Bolluno, catching hold of one of them, ssid with a resolute air, ‘ In ry husband’s absence Lo must du my duty with courage and firtoness. Cume, let ua seareh ?” Rouderigo procecded tu look belind the dra- peries, uoder the evfas, und in the greou-houso built prujectingly along the casements. They passed into the dining-room, where the search wag continued ; they entered the corridor, and they continued thetr tvestigations in three or four apartraonts which opened thence. On reaching the bed-chamber at the extremity, Signora Bel- luno said, “ Remain you here at the door, Ro- derigu; but be ready to succour me in case of neod.”’ She entered the chamber : she looked under the bed—behind the draperies and hanginge—and in the cupboard: then she entered the dressing-room, a pistol in ove bund and a candle in the other. Tbe instant she crossed the threshold, she darted & significant look up» Charlvs Da Vere ; and he comprehendéd the stratagem which she was cxe- cuting. © There is no one here,” she said, retracing her steps trom the dressing-room and closing the door behind her. * And thero is no other outlet!” ejaculated Mo. derigo. ‘‘ This is the most wonderful thing I ever knew in the whole course of my life! But we have sent off for bis Excellency ; and when he arrives we shall sco what is to be dong.” “ But have vou despatched persons on horse- back in pursuit ?’* demanded the lady. ‘“ This is of the utmost consequcace 1" * No—t have uot done sv, signora,” responded Koderigo, ‘In fact, it all bapponed so suddenly, and took ua 60 completely by surprise ” “No doubt!” no doubt !’ said the lady quickly. * Fat let thie now be done! Lave horacs sad- dled !—luse not a moment!” ‘* Not a mncinent, siguora!’’—-and away sped the turnkey tu execute the mandate which he had just receiwod, She Governor's wife threw hersolf upon a sofa lu the sitting-apartment, almost overpowered by the exeitement of her feelings, Ursula was there ; wand tucking pitecusly in the face of ber mistress, phe suid, “ Au, now, signora, what, in the name of the blessed saints, is to be done?” “I know not!” responded the lady, wringing her hande in despair. “Fur the present ho is tuncoaled : but heave only can tell how long he may be safe !” “And Jus Excelloney is sent for!’ exclaimed Ursula: © in a tew minutes he will be here !” “Ah? anidea strikes mo!” cried Signora Bel- lunv. “ Ye®! it is the only means! Hasten down to your sun—urge him*to get the horses saddled as speedily as possibletcll him that my husband will lose bis situation if the prisoner be not caught! Du your best tu create confusion—be- wilder the hostlors—offor to lead out the steeds into the yard as fast as they are saddied—and tuke care that there is a horse in readiness for any AGNES; OR, BRAUTY ANP PLEASURE. ove who whispers in your ear the number Twenty. MLHE Ursula hastened off to execute the commands of her mistress ; and we should here observe that. her son was the head hostler in the stables of theo Governor. Signora Belluno now sped back to the dreesing- room,—this timo with a candle only ii her hand, and with no pistol. Charles De Vere was most anxiously awaiting her presence. * Good heavens!” she whispered in an almost rending tone; “what am I suifering for yor sake! But you shall be saved if you follow nf counsel !—~and there is not a moment to be Ioat Here! put on thie uniform! Be quick! King minutes at the very outside are ail that can '; thus wasted !” While still spoaking, Signora Belluno tore open a clothes-press and displayed a martial suit which belonged to her husband; and she knew, or at least hoped, that in the darkness of the night, and in the confusion prevailing in the court-yard, it would pass for the uniform of one of the subor- dinate officials employed in the fortress. She left a light in tho dressing-room ; and retiring into the bed-chagnber, hastily touk the sheets and quilt off the bed, twisting and knotting them into a rope. She was a prey to the most feverish anxiety : ~——never in all her life had sbe laboured under such a state of excitement,—fur the return of her husband ere her projects were fully executed, would spoil everything ! The rope was finished —~and sho impatiently tapped at the door of tho dreasing-room. “1 am ready,” said Charles, at once opening it. The lady rushed in: and sure enourh, our young hero was completely arrayed in the uni- form which bad been furnished him. Even to the cocked hat the apparel was perfect ! — but the garments bung somewhat lonsely on De Vere’s form, for he was more elender than the Gtuvernor of Bagno. Signura Delluno opened the window of tho dressing-room, and made one end of the rope fast to some massive article of furniture which stood conveniently at hand, The night was pitch dark ; but it was ovident that the utmost excitement prevailed throughout the castle; for the trampling of steeds, tho sounds of martial weapons, tho ex- clamations of many voices, the openiag and shut- ting of doors and gates,—all combined to fourm one general din, which had already reached tho ears of our hero and tho lady even before tho window was opened, but which now was heard all the more plainly. “ Descend by this rope,” said the Governor's wife, speaking in a rapid and cxcited manner. “ It is long enough, I have no doubt! You will find yourself in a small yard, the walls of which are not very high. Ixactly facing this window there is @ cistern, up which you may climb ; and by the aid thereof you can scale the wall. You will then be in the yard attached to the stables of the oili- cers. Soo! there are lights now moving about in that yard! Bustle and confusion thore prevail! Ursula is there—she will have a horse in readiness for you! Look out for ber-—and whisper in her ear the number Twenty-nine / Ah, 1 bad well- nigh forgotten! Have you money for your «x- penses ou the road Pr” ~~. ECORNIEOO (C <S ©