Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 226: what you’re looking at

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218 AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASTER. what plan he intended to adopt. He was in such but he was not sufficiently skilled in infantine a strait that it was impossible he could readily | matters to be enabled to tell its age—though he make up his mind to any particular course: he fancied that it could be scarcely six weeks old. was compelled as it were to trust to the chapter of It was decently apparelled, and was enveloped in accidents. On he went,—until he by accident | a large shawl. found himself close by the spot where the adven- ture had occurred to the hackney-vehicle. Some dering assistance; and as Charles De Vere con- templated them for a moment from a short dis- tance, he overheard the driver of the broken vehicle say in a tone of vexation, “It is a bad evening’s work for me! It was the only fare I had obtained all day; and though the gentleman _ paid me liberally, it will not a quarter make up the cost of the accident, for which I myself shall have to pay.” An idea struck our young hero. Hastening forward, he bade the man step aside with him for a few moments; and when the Neapolitan recog- nised the gentleman who had paid him so libe- rally, he at once obeyed. But he looked with astonishment at the burden which Charles bore in» bis arms,—though he said nothing until our hero himself renewed the conversation. This he did s0 soon as they were at a suitable distance from the persons collected about the broken vehicle. | * So you will have to pay for this aceident ?” said Charles, thus abruptly initiating the dis- course. * The worse luck for me,” answered the Neapo- | litan. “I hire the equipage by the day; of an extensive jobbing-master; and I have to pay for all accidents.” * Are you a married man?” demanded Charles. | * Yes—and there again’s the worse luck! For. poor Benedetta— that’s my wife —will have scarcely bread to-morrow to give the children, of which we have five.” | “ And what is your name?” inquired our young | hero, putting bis questions with rapidity. “ Nino Corso,” rejoined the man; “and though I say it, signor, it is an honest name, because an honest person bears it.” * Will you and your wife take charge of this child ?”” demanded De Vere: “ you shall be libe- rally paid in advance,—I will tell you who I am —I will give you a proof that I am what I re- present myself—but you must ask no questions— and you must be secret.” | “It is a bargain, signor!” exclaimed Nino’ Curso eagerly,—* provided that you fulfil all your’ share of the compact !” “Lead me to ycur house—and you shall see.” “Ah! my house indeed!” ejaculated the Nea- politan, with a laugh half merry, half bitter: “it is one room in an attic! But it happens to be close by; and such as it is, signor, you will be welcome.” This discourse had taken place in the imme-— Nino Corso quickly led the way ta the house in which he dwelt, and which fortunately happened half dozen people were collected on that spot, ren- | to be barely a hundred yards distant. He led the way up a dark staircase to the highest storey of the building; and he conducted the young Eng- lishman into a room of poverty-stricken appear- ance, where five young children lay huddled to- gether in a sorry bed made upon the floor, and where a good-looking though somewhat careworn woman, of about two-and-thirty, was preparing @ meagre supper against her husband's retura. Not itmmediately perceiving that he was accom- panied by any one, Benedetta gave her husbanda kind word and a caress; so that Charles De Vere said to himself, “ These are really good people !— and providence has befriended me on this poor in- nocent babe’s behalf !’’ Nino Corso requested De Vere to enter; and ia a few words he explained to his wife the pro- posal which had been made. Benedetta at once consented ; and she took the child ia her arms. Fortunately De Vere’s purse was well supplied with coin at the moment; for he had filled it om issuing from the Evnbassy, on account of the | purchases which he had to make, but which had not cost him half as much as he had anticipated, He spread upon the table as much Neapolitan coin as would make the sum of about ten pounds in English money ; and both Nino and Benedetta gave vent to ejaculatiuns of joy, for in their eyes the amount was a perfect fortune. Cuarles then gave bis card, which described him as an attaché to the British Embassy: but this proceeding was quite needless, the gold being considered an ade- quate guarantee of his respectability and good faith. He enjoined the man and his wife to main- tain the strictest silence and secrecy; and having promised to call upon them again shortly, he took his departure,—Nino showing him the way to the nearest stand of public vehicles. The young Englishman bade him good night, and returned to the embassy, marvelling in no small degree at the adventure which had befallen him. CHAPTER XXXVII. THE FAZER PENITERNP®, Ir was in the forenoon of the day following the incidents which we have just detailed, that Charles De Vere again rambled forth by bimself partially with the intention of seeking Nino Corso’s lodg- diate neighbourhood of a lamp, the beams of which ings and inquiring after the infant of whom he had shown Charles De Vere that Nino Corso was a had as it were become the guardian, and partially man of about eight-and-thirty or forty—with an that be might be altogether alone to reflect upon embrowned complexion, rather good-looking fea- | everything which had so recently occurred to him. tures, and a frank, open, honest expression of The other gentlemen attached to the Embassy had countenance. On the other hand the Neapolitan | invited our young hero to accompany them on an himself had every reason to be satisfied with his | expedition to Vesuvius: but he preferred to be survey of the youth’s appearance: so that their | alone—and hg had therefore on some pretext de- opinion on these points was mutually good. | clined their pressing entreaties. He was in a Charles had likewise bent a look upon the babe: | complete state of suspense: lis curiosity was @x- —_—— CoOMMiclooolKxs