The Duchess's Revenge or The Three Warnings — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

: THE DUCHESS’S RHVENGE. ‘ strike! > kill the duke. You tremble! Do you fear the deed ?”’ Pt | x “Nay, madam, I have no fear; but I have prudence. To kill the duke is to kill ourselves. Ifit must. be done, ] know some drugs as deadly in their work as this bright steel can be, but leaving no tell-tale marks behind to say from whence the deadly potion came. But, madam, pause ere you employ these fearful meagures; consider well the case; the duke may return once more to love.”’ “Return to love! The love that once is lost never returns again. Still I promise not to kill him until—until I know I have been deceived. Nay, keep the dagger as the first earnest of my esteem. Tis one I’ve carried in my bosom for bee yet never thought to use. Which path say you?” “The one to the left. Farewell, sweet lady, until we meet again.’’ Fiammetta drew her veil closely over her face, and walked hurriediy in the direction indicated by Bentivoglio, who stood playing with the little dagger, drawing it from its velvet sheath, and watching the duchess. ‘There goes the only woman I ever loved,’ he sighed; “she might haye made my life a different one; but that has passed; my love is dead, and hatred fills the place. Kill the duke! well, yes, one day I will, but not at your good bidding, lady; I bidemy time. Bentivoglio plots not to please others, bnt himself. This noble palace of Vergellesi shall be in my clutch as though I were the duke. ‘* est there, pretty toy,’’ he continued, plac- ing the dagger in his breast. ‘‘ It was about as well she gave it me. I would not trust her when her temper’s roused, and if Constantia play her part but well, Fiammetta will presently see that which would be enough to stir the blood of a colder woman. I'll tomy post, and see no dan- ger happens.’ Saying which, Bentiyoglio strode away in the direction of the arbour, but carefully taking the right path. In the meantime the duchess had nearly _ reached the arbour, when the sound of voices fell upon her ear. Cautiously ereeping nearer, she managed to get behind a shrub, from whence she could witness all that passed in the arbour. This she did with great caution, scarcely dis- turbing a leaf or causinga rustle in the branches; but for all that the sharp ears and eyes of Con- stantia detected her presence, and immediately took up the cue given her by Bentivoglio. Fiammetta stood spell-bound atthescene before her; there in the deep recess of the arbour stood Constantia Gornito, no longer masked, but standing erect, her pale face turned towards the moon, whose silver light showed off her beauty to the best advantage. At her teet was the Duke di Vergellesi, his face upturned, gazing into the fair one of his mistress, whilst he clasped her hands to his breast. The poor duchess conyulsively clasped her hands upon her bosom as she beheld this scene, so charming to look at, but bearing a deadly meaning to her. nn nnn nn eee SS SS LE — o « = 7 At one moment she felt for the dagger, then remembering she had given it to Bentivoglio, bit her ‘lips with rage. At length Constantia spoke, and Iiammetta leant forward to catch each word she uttered. _ “ My lord, my lord, you. do me wrong,’’ cried Constantia, trying to draw her hands from the duke; “ each word you say is insult.” | “Insult, sweetest!’ eried the duke; “‘ then is it an insult to adore all things thut are beantifal? Oh, turn not away; Ilove you. Be mine, and all I have shall be placed at your feet; refuse me, Constantia, and I die, From youth I have dreamed of such a love as this, but never knew the true passion until now.”’ ‘“‘ Peace, peace,»my lord, I pray. you,’ cried Constantia; ‘‘dare you tell me, that you never loyed before? Oh, sir, unsay those words, nor let me think that the sweet duchess has been so cruelly deceived.”’ : “The sweet duchess! I hate her.” ‘‘ My lord, be silent, I beseech you. It is not well that I should hear you speak against one who has protected me. Remember, she is your wite.” ‘““ Alas! I would she were not. JI was forced Into the marriage. I hate her. Her proud im- perious ways; her eyes that sparkle with a light that speaks more of the shrew than lover. Let those who love such things go mate with the eagle; but for my part, give me the gentle dove.’’ As he spoke, he rose from his knee, and dray- ing the girl towards him, endeavoured to plant a kiss upon her lips; but, quick as lightning, Coustantia repulsed him, and springing back, exclaimed : ‘‘Begone, sir: leave me! Think you to gain my heart by reviling one 1 loye? [low mean must, poor Constantia stand in your idea, to think her heart is to be won by slighting those she loves. I tell you, the duchess is the most beau- tifnl and worthy lady in all Italy, and until now I deemed you the worthiest gentleman; but now, when I behold you stoop so low—hear false- hood falling from your lips as fast as rain from thunder-clonds—lI despise and hate you! l'orpive me. my lord; I fear I have offended, and that I would not do, though better that than to do:se rood a lady such a grievous wrong.”’ As Constantia spoke she bowed her head, as if in great humility. ‘“ Hear me, Constantia!’ cried the duke. ‘‘ Be. mine, and soon, { swear, you shall be duchess!’’ ‘‘Beoone, base murderer!” cried Constantia, in tones of well-acted disgust. “If you refuse me thus,’ eried the duke, in passionate tones, ‘I will use my authority, and make you respect the duke.” ‘“T do res. ect the duke, as the husband of Fiammetta Malatesta should be respected, when he respects that lady as he should. But when I see him stoop to basenegs, I despise him, as a honest peop’e would.” “By heavens, you shall be mine!”’ cried the duke, seizing her in his arms; “that very anger and scorn makes me loye you more.” } Eomichoo (E(@)