The Duchess's Revenge or The Three Warnings — page 11: what you’re looking at

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THE DUCHESSS REVENGE. } 9 what shas the duke been kind enough to say of me ?’ ; ““He did confess he loved you not; in fact, declared he never had or could.” «owas well and-bravely spoken.’’ ) “He further hinted that, had he a frien who would move you from his path, that he 7 “Well!” ‘* Would honour that same friend, and make him rich and happy.” “A goodly promise, truly. And what said you P”’ “T—why I at first did take it for a joke; but, seeing him in earnest, I did inveigh against such base designs, and with descriptions of your numerous excellences, all gilded with my love, did try to win him back to love again; but all in vain. He threw the many favours I had done him back in my teeth, and called me_ coward. Once I thought he would have struck me, but that his prudence o ercame his passion, and bade him leave his sword still sheathed.” « And now what does he propose to do with this fair lady of his choice P” ‘‘T believe his lordship starts from here to- night on special business, to his Castle Mugnone. The lady will be carried off some hours later, so I understand.” ‘© Some hours later to meet her lover at the Castle Mugnone. Is it not so?” _ “T believe so, madam. The duke will use force, if necessary; so he declares.” «© Oh, trust me, sir, no force is wanted there ; the bird will answer the whistle.”’ ‘But, madam, you perceived the maiden spurned the duke,” cried Bentivoglio, in some alarm; “did she not bid him think of you ? did she not tell him how she loved your very name— nay, worshipped yon P” ‘‘You listened well, Bentivoglio: far better were you concealed than I was.” ‘©T do confess I overheard theirtalk. I came, for from your manner I feared much ill might ‘come. The way you gave me the dagger, and = “Enough, enough, good signor; I blame you not; but, trust me, there will be, shall be, no need of Fetal The lady will consent to go to Mugnone; or if she should refuse, J will send her there. Not one word of this to the duke. Play well your part, and you shall have your _yeward. If you deceive me, you are lost. Now, your arm, sir; lead me to my waiting-women, for I would ietire. Remember, you promise the duke that Constantia Gornito will be at Mugnone before the morning; and see that certain trusty fellows are left with orders to | convey her there, and I will see that she is sent.” Bowing low to the duchess’s orders, Benti- voglio took her hand and led her back to the castle. The news soon spread that the duchess was ill; the festivities were broken up, and the euests retired to rest, all unconscious of the eventful proceedings of the evening. The duchess had no sooner retired to her chamber than she dismissed her maids, and, pacing up and down her chamber, began to think over the scene she had witnessed. “So!” she exclaimed, “he loves this girl: that she loves him I doubt not. I cannot trust that Bentivoglio. He has not an honest look; besides he never forgives, and I deceived him. Deceived him! No,it was he who deceived me. He won my girlish affections, hoping to gain thereby a step to rank and fortune, but my eyes were opened in time. That the duke hates me I long have known, and patiently have tried to make him lovye—to win those affections he throws away upon that girl. But shonld she love him—love him as I have loved him—were it not better to sacrifice myself than to commit a crime? I will see her; see her unseen, so that I may judge whether she be moved as I am moved.”’ | Taking a lamp from the table she passed behind the arras, and touching a secret spring a panel shld back; she entered the aperture, and closing the panel, passed along a narrow passage, descended some narrow stairs till at last she came to another movable panel, which she moved without making’ the slichtest noise, and the next moment was standing behind the arras of Constantia’s apartment. She quickly extinguished her lamp and listened attentively, for to her surprise she heard two voices in the room. ‘Do you love this man ?”” asked a stern voice that she knew to be Bentivoglio’s. “Yes and no,’ replied Constantia, for the other speaker was the duchess’s rival. “T do not understand you; you must speak plainer; I am not used to riddles.” “T lke him, inasmuch as he flatters me; I hate him because you rule him.” * And if you marry him, will you, Constantia, | break my rule P” ‘No; if he be fool enough to be ruled, let him be so, as long as you do not interfere with me.” ‘A sensible speech, truly,” replied Benti- voglio, with a cruel langh. ‘“‘ One worthy the master who educated me, is it not? Iam an apt pupil.” a “Of a truth you are; so remember, the duchess must be removed, and you married.”’ « Just as you will; but tell me how would you have this done P” “To night the duke departs for his castle at Mugnone, about three leagues from here.” “« And you go with him, I suppose. He cannot do without his constant friend.” “Exactly. I gowith him. You will join us there in a few hours,” said Bentivoglio. “Tndeed! But how shall I manage to leave the duchess? She will not let me go.” ‘¢ She is more likely to command you fo depart. Men will be ready to guide you.”’ ‘Be it as you will,” replied the young beauty, languidly. ‘I can’t plot—it tires me.” For a moment all was still, and then Con- stantia asked, carelessly : “But what is to become of that terrible creature, the duchess? What a tigress she is.” comicbooks:co