The Duchess's Revenge or The Three Warnings — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

12 THE DUCHESS’S REVENGE. towards her rival’s room. As she neared the door she motioned her followers to stop. The next moment she entered Constantia’s apart- ments. Seated ata table, admiring herself in‘a mirror, was Constantia, her golden hair falling in mas- sive ringlets on her ivory shoulders. She was dressed as if ready for a journey, and by her side lay a richly-plumed riding hat. The duchess gazed at the beautiful figure before her, looking so innocent, and yet so full of deep passion and deceit. Unconscious of her mistress’s presence, Constantia, as she played with her beautiful hair and admired her own lovely image in the mirror, spoke her thoughts aloud. * Duchess!’ she exclaimed. ‘“ Yes, I like the sound, and better still I love the power. Oh! how I love torule. To be able to command, to be feared; it must be glorious. ‘l’o make others tremble when you frown; smile when you smile; to take their very tempers from your looks. How I do detest the duke! a weak fool, who allows Bentivoglio to rule him; though, for that matter, Bentivoglio rnles everybody; but when once Iam the duchess, his rule shall end. He little thinks I can plot as well as he; but my end gained, l’ll have no such dangerous people at my court. If the duchess only knew her fate!’ “She does know her fate,” said the duchess, in a stern voice. Constantia started up in horror as she beheld her outraged mistress. “Yes, little as you have thought it, I know myfate. I knowthat itis misery and crime,” said | the duchess. “I cannot rule my own destiny, but I can yours. I have come to bear you a message, Signora Gornito, a message from the duke. He wishes for your presence at Mugnone, to-night.” Constantia gazed in wonder at her mistress. Could she possibly be so weak as to submit patiently to a rival? Then the remembrance flashed across the girl’s mind of what Benti- voglio had said to her when she asked how she was to leave the duchess: ‘‘ Sheis more likely to command you to depart.” “Tf the duke wishes it, I must obey,” she murmured, at the same time casting a tri- umphant look at her mistress. ‘You are right; his wishes shall be obeyed. But first,as I have some message to send to him, sit down and write for me,” Constantia seated herself at the table in mock humility, scarcely able to hide her contempt for the duchess. | ‘“Are you ready to commence?” demanded her mistress. | “ Perfectly, madam ; I wait but for your dic- tation.” “Commence then—‘ My dearest lord, as you have chosen to honour me with that most precious thing on earth, your love, I have be- thought me how best I might show you my gratitude. Would you have my life? T’ll give it you. You oft have praised my hair, my face, | She live, will be your duchess. | orders—take her to Mugnone!’’ ee my lips; I give themto you. All these I give to you; and in return I ask that you will seek in the old oak cabinet that stands in the hall at | Mugnone'; therein you will find that which you love best.’ ”’ “The letter is finished,” said the duchess; ‘‘cive it me, and as reward, take this aigrette of diamonds. Nay; do not refuse them—they are worthy of a duchess. Come, bind them on your brow. So—see how the pure gems suit your hair, seeming set in threads of gold. Now place these ear-rings in your ears. The duke loves them, and doubtlessly will think them finer in their new abode.” Overcome with astonishment, Constantia per- | mitted herself to be arrayed in the jewels. “Now sit down by the mirror, and gaze at your fair face—that face so full of beauty, a thing to ruin happiness, to break men’s hearts, and crush women!” “What mean you, madam?” exclaimed Con- stantia, alarmed at the duchess’sthanged manner. “You will need some followers to take you to the duke. I have provided you with some. Signor Giammetto, come forward !’’ The tapestry was drawn aside, and Giammetto entered the room, followed closely by his two | companions. ‘“Gentlemen!’’ cried Fiammetta, “‘ behold the lady who intends to be the Duchess Vergellesi when I am deposed. The duke requires this lady’s presence at Mugnone; it is my command you take her there! ’’ “Spare me! spare me!” cried Constantia, who saw in the duchess’s face that some terrible fate awaited her. ‘‘ Spare me, I beseech you!”’ « Away with her!”’ cried Fiammetta. ‘Spare you! Would youspare me? You ‘do not like the sight of blood ;” and so I was to be killed out of your sight. Listen, woman! jBentivoglio plotted well; butin his wish to cause more sin and crime has ruined all. I knew his spe- cious lies were but to trap myself, so that, with serpent tongue, he might turn the duke against me. Giammetto, there is the woman who, if You have my The men advanced towards Constantia; but, with the swiftness of afawn, she flew past them, and throwing herself at the duchess’s feet, begged | for mercy. _ “Mercy! mercy !” she screamed, in piteous tones. ‘‘Oh, madam, have mercy onme! [am too young to die; life is so sweet, so beautiful. _I will leave the palace, and live in a cottage— anywhere, so that you will not hurt me. Look | at me, madam, and have pity. I do not love the duke. I have been tempted. Was it my fault that he loved me? Oh, madam, have mercy upon me!” , 5 ““ Away with ner!” cried the duchess. ‘‘ You would have doomed me to death—worse, to dis- honour! You would have made my name a disgrace—one to be shuddered at by all. You have ruined my life—my happiness. Away with her, gentlemen, and be merciful unto her as she | would have been merciful unto me!” Gomicbooks-com -