The Duchess's Revenge or The Three Warnings — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

THE DUCHESS'S REVENGE. | : 11 he had left me one faint hope that love for me might still burn in his breast!”’ “Who ig the duke’s mistress ?” Gianwnetto, passionately. “He has not one. The girl he loves scorns him—spurns him from her.” % The gods be praised she is of so virtuous a nature,’ said Giammetto. | “Virtue! she speaks it as one speaks in de- lirium, but knows not that of which she talks. his girl—this waiting-maid, will not be mistress to the duke. be more.” ‘““More! Why, lady, she must be mad; or perhaps your jealousy, well founded though it be, has made you see these things in a strange, distorted way. What more can she be?” “The Duchess Vergelleai!”” ** Bat how could she become the duchess, you being still alive ?” “Tut,man! Are youan Italian and ask me that question? Look at your belt, Giammetto; see you not the dagger by your side? If menspeak truly, that dagger once found a sheath in a rival’s heart. Think you this girl would shrink from sacrificing me to her ambition? I tell you that my death is planned ; nay, worse, my honour aimed at. this fair beauty.” For a moment both remained silent, as if fearful to disturb the silence. At length Giammetto heaved a profound seh! as if relieved from some intense weight, threw back his head, stretched his broad chest, and in a clear, firm voice demanded— ‘‘ What are your orders? Trustme, they shall be obeyed.” “Tthark thee, Giammetto. JI knew that I could trust to wy father’s faithful servant.” “You may indeed, my lady. I promised your father to protect you, and [ will.” “Thanks; the lady is Constantia Gornito.”’ “What! Constantia GornitoPp That far lady : 5)? / “* Fair fiend, rather, She has east a spell on _ my dear lord, and now aims at my life.” exclaimed “‘ Tt seems almost impossible that such a fair creature should work so foul a plot.” “Not she alone, but one whom you know well aids her in all she does.” “What! is the plot of some extent? iow . many have worked this damned web ?”’ “Oh, only two; b’t they are clever enough to catch the foolish fly--my husband.” << We lose time, my lady ; who is the other? Man or woman, none must escape.” “Thanks, good Giammetto ; the duke to-night departs for Magnone Castle.” “Tt was but this moment that he and Signor Bentivoglio took horse and rode away upon some special business.” “That special business is to plot my ruin. Within an hour Constantia follows them.” “Then Signor Bentivoglio is the other who is doomed ?”” “He is the one who has formed the plot, and led the duke.” She will brook no rival. She will | _ the gardens. | Mugnone to-night, - meeting there, and trust me, Constantia’s golden All to be sacrificed at the shrine of | “Trust me, my lady; he shall plot no more this side eternity.” “You know the castle well. room is a carved oak caoinet.” ‘T remember it; there once you'hid, to tease the duke.’’ “The same. Supposing you and some two other gentlemen left here within an hour, could In the duke’s | you reach Muenone before the duke ?” “By riding : across the country—yes; bat *tis a, difficult road.” “It must be done. You see this secret pas- sage?” said Fiammetta, drawing back the - tapestry, and showing the passage which Jed to Constantia’s room; ‘“this leads down to my rival’s room, where now she is preparing for her fiicht; after which it leads to a door opening to Order two trusty followers to be here with you directly; place yourselves by the door leading to the room of this would-be duchess, and when IJ eall, enter directly. Have your horses placed in readiness, and also order my ladies in attendance to prepare to depart for Oh, we will hold a merry locks shall canse more notice than they have done before. This letter contains my instruc- tions to you; see that they are Simiciny per- formed.” Giammetto bowed, and took the letter, makmg no reply, then left the room. Passing to her dressing-table, the duchess took therefrom the beautiful sparkling diamond aigrette that she had worn on her forehead during the evening, and again fixed it on her brow. She then opened a beautiful casket, and took from it a splendid pair of opal ear- rings, and holding them to the lamp. examined them intently, whilst her face worked with violent emotion. | ‘Oh! luckless stones!” she cried, ‘‘ harbin- gers of evil fate, thon wert the first present that he gave me. ‘ Wear them,’ he said; ‘’tis but a foolish superstition that calls these gems uulucky ; but were they twice as evil as idle talk would give them ont, they would become pure by being near to thee.’ Oh! had I died that moment, I had indeed been happy.” Slowly she placed the ear-rings in her ears; then seating herself, waited patiently until Giammetto returned with his followers. Rising from her seat with her usual denity, she demanded, in a cold voice— “Gentlemen, are you prepared to avenge my grievous wrongs.” ““We are!”’ was the firm reply. “Swear upon Signor Giammetto’s dacrger- hilt that you will not stay your hand or falter until my wrongs are avenged.” “We swear,” replied the men, raising the dageer’s hilt which Giammetto held to them as though it were a crucifix. ““Tnough,’’ said the duchess, “ your ‘task will soon be over. Follow me; make no noise, and wait at the spot I show you until I call.” They entered the narrow passage and follewed the duchess, as with hasty steps she hastened GomicbookssGco