Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 296: what you’re looking at

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| Maaecsats 288 emergency. Time was slipping away; and if their flight from the Prefecture were discovered, the streets would be quickly inundated by the police spies in search of them. Ciprina was trembling with alarm lest she should again fall into the power of the Chief of Police: Fidelia was ready to sink with affright at the thought of being dragged back into the presence of her stern harsh father. Silvio saw that the lady and the young girl were alike incapable of rendering any assistance: and suddenly making up his mind, he said, “‘ Remain you here for a few minutes—be sure not to leave the spot—I will hasten off ina direction where there is a chance of obtaining a conveyance.” Away sped Silvio; and scarcely had he reached the next street, when he heard the sounds of an equipage approaching. He stopped—it speedily ' came up—it was passing—it was an unoccupied hackney-chaise ; and he hailed the driver. * J can’t stop, sir? Iam engaged !” exclaimed the man. ‘‘ What! Nino Corso P” ejaculated the Viscount in a tone of joy. Nino, instantanecusly recognising that voice, pulled in his horse ; and Silvio, hastening forward, said, “ This is a most fortunate meeting, good Nino! You know who I am—you and [I have met before :’—and he made the sign which shewed him to be a member of the secret political organi- zation to which they had both belonged. “ Yes, I know you, wy lord,’ answered Nino Corso; “ and I knew also that you were in Naples ; for the porter of the house where I live, told me so—as did likewise your good fathor,’ added _ Nino, leaning down from the box of the vehicle, and whispering these last words in the low tone _ of extreme caution. _ your equipage. “ Alas, my lord! have you heard the sad intelligence? The Countess of Camerino 5 “Yes, yes, Nino—I have heard of it—and I am distressed i” replied Silvio. “But I want You must take me—and you must drive round to the corner of the next street i “© T can take you, my lord, if you like—and with pleasure too!” replied Nino: “ but I cannot go an inch out of my way, nor receive any additional ' company.” “But you must! you must!” ejaculated Silvio vehemently. “I have two companions waiting for me—a lady and her maid—the case is ur- gent 4 “My lord,” interjected Nino, “I cannot help You really must not press m3! Ina word, it. _ I am engaged to take your own father out of <a ee Naples.” “My father!” ejaculated Silvio. ‘“ And where Is he P” “Ah, my lord!” responded Nino mournfully ; ** where should his lordship be under such distress- ing circumstances, but by the bedside * “You do not mean, Nino,” said the Viscount, “that my father has gone to his own manoion ?” “Yes—Ido mean it, my lerd. He told Bene- detta that is the name of my wife, my lord that he was going there with Signor De Vere. I just now ran home for something I had for- gotten—and Benedetta told me that they had only set off a few minutes previous, Come, my lord— jump in—time presses Xt ————— Ee _e / AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASUBB. “No, no, Nino!” interjected the Viscount: “I | cannot go with my father. Ah! those sounds! Good night, Nino! good night! Pursue your way!” Having thus spoken, the Viscount Di Camerino darted off—for he had heard the noise of a vehicle passing along at the lower extremity of the street where this incident took place; and he felt assured that it must be the one which Fidelia had en- gaged. ‘ ‘Good night, my lord,” answered Nino Corso: and whipping his horse he pursued his way, won- dering at the young nobleman’s excitement. The Viscount hurried along the street in the opposite direction: but all of a sudden he was pounced upon by half-a-dozen police agents; and close at hand he recognised the Prefect himself. One of these agents happened to be the very man who had recognised him on the preceding night; and thus he had now no difficulty in again dis- cerning at a glance who was the wearer of that muffling cloak and that broad-brimmed slouching hat. Resistance was utterly vain, although the Viscount still had the dagger about his person: he was at once overpowered, and confronted with the Chief of the Police. “Keep at a little distance,” said the Minister to his egents; “and leave the prisoner with me.— My lord,’ he continued, as the cflicials dispersed on different sides of the street, some before and some behind, so that Silvio continued as com- pletely a captive as when their iron grasp was upon him,—“ my lord, you have performed an in- famous part; and I now ask you whether you are ready to fulfil your compact—or whether you will return to the Prefecture, to be thence consigned to a dungeon, and thence to be transferred to the scaffold? Speak, my lord—yes or no?—and if your answer be in the affirmative, hold yourself prepared to act at once; for you shall not have another chance of deceiving me!” “T will fulfil my compact,’ replied the Vis- count, shuddering at the fearful alternative that was held out. ‘Put do you, my lord, still adhere to your own side of the bargain P” “IT will!” answered the Chief of the Police, “Look!” he continued, as he drew the Viscount near to a lamp and: drew forth a paper: “here is your pardon—it is duly signed by the King, When your father is in my power it shall be placed in your hands. Now, then, which way do we go P” “This way,” answered the Viscount, pointing in ® particular direction. “ Good!” said the Chief of the Police, taking the young nobleman’s arm with his left hand: then with his right he drew forth a pistol, adding coolly, You see, my lord, that it will be useless for you to attempt an escape. Moreover my men, who are interspersed about, remain upon the alert ; and at the first sign of a treacherous in- tent on your part, you shall be shot down like a dog.” “T will fuifil my promise,” replied Silvio. “* You cannot wonder, wy lord, that I should endeavour to escape from the Prefecture when the chance threw itself in my way: but now that it has failed, 1 am glad enough to fall back upon our original bargain.” “Be it so,” said the Prefect. “As for that GComichbooks.com