The Duchess's Revenge or The Three Warnings — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

THE DUCHESSS REVENGE. 5 The young girl appedred not to notice him, but sauntered from the group as if weary of the dance, and followed Bentivoglio as if by chance. She soon overtook him, for he no sooner perceived that she was near him, than he slackened his pace, and entered into a con- versation with her, in such a manner that the passers-by would have thought they were flirt- ing; but far different was the conversation. “Tt is a fine night, signora,”’ said Bentivoglio, in a light voice; then added, under his breath: ‘1 have placed the net and caught the fish; it is for you to land it.” | “‘Ts it not a gay and lovely scene?’ replied the lady, in a tone intentional for any one to hear; and then whispered: ‘‘and where—the place and time?” “The place,’ answered Bentivoglio, ‘‘the arbour by the statue of Diana and Hndymion; the time, ten o’clock. Our suspicions are true, the duke hates the duchess, and needs but slight inducement to substitute another in her place.” “But how >” ‘Ask not the means, so that you gain the end, Constantia. fear not butI willguideitwell. Butmark methis, you must not love this vacillating duke; no, not even should you become the Duchess of Ver- gellesi. Remember,there are wrongs to revenge; aye, though it costs us our lives!” “But am I to pretend this love P”’ “Yes and no; be modest, coy, and play on and off till his passion madden him. Do you think you could love this man ?”’ “No! have ygu not brought me up from a child to hate his very name? Nay, more—to hate all mankind. To hide my hatred beneath a cloak of smiles was a difficult lesson at first, but you schooled me, and I am perfect. How am I to meet the duke to-night P”’ “Be surprised at his attention—gently repel them. Keep your eyes upon the left avenue, and, should any one approach, raise your voice ; upbraid the duke for his persecutions, pity the duchess, who is the best and kindest of mis- tresses. Aye, praise her as though she were present.” « And will she be P” asked the girl. « Ask no questions—it is sufficient for you to know that I will protect you. Hark, the clock is striking the quarter; it is time you should to the trysting place. Trust me, the duke will be there already.” Leading her a little way down the avenue, he pressed her hand, raised his hat, and departed without saying another word. With‘a light and easy air he strolled back to the ladies, and, singling out one of more than usual height, placed himself by her side. She was a tall, graceful woman, dressed in black velvet, trimmed with rich gold lace. The front of her dress was low, so as to show a bosom of the purest snow; her jet black hair was looped back with diamond pins, and a cluster of the same gems hung on her forehead, sparkling through the gauze of a thick veil which the lady, The plot is in my hands, and | though masked, held carefully drawn over her face. | “Tt is a gay scene, signora,’ said Bentivoglio, in his softest accents. « And a beautiful night,’”’ replied the lady. “To me it seems somewhat dark,” replied Bentivoglio. “Indeed! I donot understand you.” “Has not the queen of the night veiled her- self ?P”’ | « Signor!’ exclaimed the lady, haughtily. “Pardon me, signora, if I offend; but those who love can see through the best disguises.” “Tf, as you say, you know who I am, I would warn you to beware.” | “Tove that is true should have no fear, but venture life itself to gain a smile.’’ ‘‘Such love were indeed venturesome,” re- plied the lady, trembling with passion, “and might cost'the venturer his stake.” ‘And what of that? What is life without our love? The earth becomes a barren wilder- ness; the very flowers lose their hue, the sun its cheerfulness, and the moon her beauty.” ‘““Hnough, sir!’ exclaimed the lady. ‘If you do know who I am, such conversation is im- pertinence ; if it be but an idle boast, be warned in time, lest your rudeness,should ontstep for- giveness.”’ ‘“‘Pardon me, noble lady, should I offend, but I have a secret I would tell; one fhat shou'd reach your ears alone.” big) ‘““T warn you, sir, that 1 am not to be played with,’’ cried the lady, impatiently. | “Task you but to give me some minutes con- versation. If mysecret be not worth the having, then treat me with scorn.” | With a haughty movement of impatience the lady drew further from the crowd, then, turning round, demanded in a sharp voice what the secret was. “Pardon me, my lady,” replied Bentivoglio, “but first give me your word that you will never divulge who told you this secret.” “YT make no bargains,’ replied the lady. “Wither tell me the secret or depart at once. Remember, I did not ask for it, but that you pro- posed to tell me.”’ : ‘“And would so willingly but that another’s life is imperiled by the disclosure.”’ ‘“‘ Another’s life! What mean yon P” ““Swear not to reveal how you learned this secret, and to spare the woman from all punish- ment, and I will reveal all. Believe me, were the girl guilty, I would not ask you to spare her, but she is innocent and persecuted ” “The girl! What girl?” “ Will you swear ?”’ “T will give you my word: that will suffice if you know me.” | , “There was a time when I would have taken the word of Frammetta Malatesta for anything.” *‘ Would you dare to doubt me?” ‘“No; and yet you broke that word once.” “ Bentivoglio, I know you,” exclaimed the duchess; ‘‘be warned in time, and push this matter no farther, If, when I was a child, you GomicbookssGco