Agnes Vol. 2 — page 96: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLRASURR. bad done; and the consequence was that 1 came not near the suite of apartments after having in- troduced Mr. De Vere nither.”’ Antonia now separated trom Edgar Marcellin ; and her first care was to ascertain whether the Marchioness had returned from the villa. Sho was answered in the nepativo: her ladyship was still at ' her beautiful littl country-seat in the Vale of the | Arno. put on ber walking apparcl—-and steuling down the private staircase, Issued from the mausion. Ina very short time sho was at Potroro’s house. “ Jiave you seen the English gentloman,” cuired Antonia, “ since he quitted your house last night a “ No—I have not scen him,” was the responee. But 1 havo bad a letter from Signor Paoli—that | person, you know, whom you have inquired about un former occasions ” “Truo!” ,ejaculated Antonia. “ What tidings can you give me respecting Signor Paoli P” Ho is obstinatesrash, and infatuated,” rejoined Petroro. “ He is determined to return in some disguise into Florence—be feels that he has dutics 39 to perform—at least so he phrases his letter ‘‘ And where is his letter P” inqujred Antonia all along koown that Lucrezia di Mirano was a hastily. “There,” replied Petroro, pointing significantly to the fire. “ You do not think that I would keep such a document in my house, when I be- lieve that 1 am already more or less suspected of eaning too favourably to the democratic cause in zencral and to Signor Paoli in particular? Low- ever, ny pretty young lass, you need not think , i—there was such a sunny light in ber large blue that because tho letter is destroyed, its contents are lost. Nota whit of it! Signor Paoli will bo were tasmourow evening between nine and ten Yclock :—L would rather that be had made his sppointmont for some other place—but since ho 1a8 tukon this liberty with me, I supprse I must submit to it and run the risk. Now, my pretty iguoretta,” added Potroro, bluntly, “ 1 have po- ‘hinge more to say.” “But the voung English gontleman, Mr. De | Vore P” inquired Antonia. “T have not seen him since be left my house . inder your guidance last night. Perhaps he went traight to his hote),” added Petroro. “Perhaps sv!” ejaculated Antonia. hereforo you must have the goodness to inform ne at what hotel Mr. De Vero is staying ?” Petroro named the establishment, iped Autunia to make furthor inquirios. She ‘cached the hotel; and the answer sho received to ler question was the following :—“ The gentleman | ‘mean you P” vent out last evening, immediately after partaking yf his dinner ; and he has not yet returned. iad better call again if you wish to see him.” Tho domestics at the hotel as yet thought it by | 10 means singular that Charles De Vere had not ‘vturned ; for it was not ten o'clock in the fore- 1von—and it seemed only too natural that he | hould be beguiled elsewhere by those attractions | n which the city of Florence was by no means de- icient. Antonia hastened to retrace her way to the Mirgng mansion. Sho glided up the private italrcase— sought her own chamber — threw «ff her valking apparel—and was then speeding towards he suite of rooms where sho had left Edger Mar- Antonia glided up to her own chamber— | In- | , what must I say? and how must I act? and away You | BE -——I did not like tu be too sure 87 cellin, when she encountered Teresa, one of the maids specially attachod to the service of the Marchivness. “ Ab, Antonia!” ejaculated Teresa; “I was looking for you! Her ladyship wishes to speak to you. She isio her boudoir.” “ And when did her ladyship return P” inquired Antonia. “ Only within this quarter of an hour,” rejoined Teresa. “ But make haste, or the Marchionusa may think that I have been remiss in secking you” Antonia accordingly turned her steps in an- other direction ; and instead of immediately re- jeining Edgar Marcellin, she bent her way towards the boudoir of Lucrezia di Mirano. “It is fortunate that her ladyship has returned at this moment,” thought Antonia to herself; | for I may thus perhaps be enabled to fulfil every But Ah! of e-urse I must know that the S:ignora Ciprina has disappeared !—and in everything elsc 1 must be guided by circumstances,” In another minute Antonia stood in the presence of the Marchioness. The young girl had of course portion of M. Marcellin’s instructions. profligate in respect to the sensual passiume: but it was only on this memorable morning far the firat time that she had learnt tu look upon ber as a being steeped to the lips in crime and whose soul was stained with the blackest iniquities. For an instant Antonia actually felt incredulous on the point. The Marchionres appearod sv beautiful —eyes—tho har of golden auburn wes thrown back from a forehead sv high, sv pure, and so stainless, that it seemed to be the throne of the noblest thoughts,—thero was such frankness and open- ness in the expression of her countenance, with the winning half-smile upon the beautifully formed lips—and there was such an air of perfect calroness and self-possession about thie lady of extraordi- | nary loveliness, that it actually syemed im possible ' to associate her with tho blackest turpitude, or to look upon her as the personification of all the passions that might be suppused tu concentrate in | a fiend ! © Now | “ How fares it with your mistress, my beloved friend the Signora Ciprina ?” inquired the Mar- Chiioness. * Alas, my lady has disappeared !” “ Disappeared !’’ ejaculated the Marchioness, as if seized with amazement and grief. “ What 1” repliod Antonia, “my mistress rejoined Antonia, “ that ry “L mean, my lady,” the Signora Ciprina is not in her apartments “Have you made any inquiries, or mentiuned this to any of your fellow-sorvants P” demanded Lucrezin di Mirano. “No, my ludy. In tho first place I have only | Just discovered that my mistress has disappeared I tbhou.rht I had better wait until your ladyship returned home~ “You bave behaved very discreetly, Antonia,” interjected the Marchioness. Ah! I think I understand wherefore P Yes, yes !—you are in- deed a very prudent and good girl! Of course EORAIC OO® SS (CO