Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 300: what you’re looking at

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282 AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. formances at one of the principal theatres, when she stopped for an instant to make way for an elegantly-dressed lady who was alighting from her carriage at the entrance of an hotel. The equi- page was a splendid one: the coachman and the two footmen were dressed in gorgeous liveries ; and the appearance of the lady herself was most distinguished. An ejaculation indicative of recog- nition which burst from Ciprina’s lips, met the ear of this lady; and stopping short, the latter ex- claimed, “ What! is it possible? You here and alone at this time of night!” “Your ladyship therefore recollects me,” said Ciprina, as she found her hand suddenly taken and pressed in that of the handsome and distinguished owner of the splendid equipage. Can I forget the kindness with which you treated me,” asked the lady, ‘‘ when we were fellow- passengers on board the steam-vessel from Malta? I expected you would have favoured me with a callin Naples, according to your promise “g ‘It was my intention,’ answered Ciprina ; “ but a thousand little circumstances occurred - “ Well, at last I meet you—and I am glad of it,” said the lady. ‘“ But do tell me how it hap- pens that you are alone in the streets at this time of night? My carriage is at your service to take you to your home. Ah! by the bye, I ought to have inquired after your husband Y “With your ladyship’s permission,” interjected Ciprina, “I will enter the hotel with you for a few minutes.” “By all means!” exclaimed the lady, who seemed sincerely delighted at the proposal. “ Shall my carriage wait for youP” “No,” replied Ciprina: and she accompanied the lady into the hotel, while the splendid equi- page immediately rolled away. We will here pause to say a few descriptive words in reference to the lady into whose society Ciprina was thus suddenly thrown. She was an Italian—but possessed light hair, blue eyes, and an exquisitely fair complexion. Her age might be about five-and-twenty. She was tall and superbly formed, her figure having a slight inclination to embonpoint, but without any injury to the excel- lence of its symmetry. Her dress was elegant,— the low and tight-fitting corsage, or rather sto- macher, revealing more of a glowing bust than the strictest modesty would permit to be displayed. Her features were regular : the nose was perfectly straight, and beautifully formed: but there was a slightly sensuous expression in the configuration of the mouth and the softly rounded chin. Yet her face was remarkably interesting and pleasing, —indicative of good nature, and almost invariably with a winning half-smile upon it. Her hair, of a light golden auburn, was drawn back from her stainless forehead ; and it clustered in myriads of ringlets upon her bare shoulders, which were of the purest whiteness. Altogether, she was a being whom it was impossible to survey without a feel- ing of interest; and, as we have before said, her appearance denoted the lady of distinction. We may, therefore, as well observe, without the main- tenance of farther mystery, that she possessed the rank of a Marchioness—that her name was Licrezia Mirano—and that she was a native of Tuscany. She was a widow, and enjoyed great wealth, As the reader has scen, Ciprina had been enabled to render her some little service when they were fellow-passengers on board a steam- vessel; and the good-natured Marchioness of Mi- rano had not forgotten the attention she had thus received. The noble lady had just returned from the thea- tre; and supper was served up on the table of her apartment in the hotel. She begged Ciprina to be seated,—treating her with the utmost kindness ; for she fancied that there was something wrong, although she could not conjecture what it was. Ci- prina had partaken of but little food throughout the day, for her mind had been agitated in respect to the escape which was to be attempted in the evening. She now therefore took her place at the table, and ate with a good appetite. She was gay and in good spirits on account of having fallen in with an acquaintance who treated her with so much affectionate attention. “Your ladyship asked me after my husband,” said Ciprina: “and I must franklytell you, that I have left him. I have experienced some strange adventures: the Chief of the Neapolitan Police has made love to me—and to be brief, I find myself compelled to leave Naples before sunrise.” “Indeed ?” ejaculated Lucrezia Mirano. “TI should express my sympathy with you, my dear friend, did I not perceive that you are so gay, choerful, and happy as to be far beyond the neces. sity of commiseration. But it is still possible that I may be enabled to render you a service; and if such be the case, you have only to tell me how I can further your views or interests. My purse is entirely at your disposal “ “A thousand thanks, my dear Marchioness !” responded Ciprina: “‘but I am amply furnished with funds. All that I shall ask you to do for me is presently to order a postchaise " “Whither are you going P” inquired the Mar- chioness. “To Florence,” was the reply. ‘“ I am anxious to see the beautiful capital of Tuscany; and more- over I have money in the hands of a banker in that city.” “The coincidence is strange!” exclaimed Lu- crezia Mirano. “ You are aware that I am a native of Tuscany: indeed Florence is my birth-place— and it was my intention to set out to-morrow on my return homeward. I had ordered my travel- ling-carriage to be in readiness at ten o’clock in the forenoon: but as you say that you are bound to leave Naples before sun-rise, I will cheerfully set off a few hours earlier than I originally in- tended. You shall travel with me.” “Were it not for the disagreeable alteration which your ladyship must thus make in your plans entirely for my accommodation,” observed Ciprina, “I should most cheerfully and thank- fully accept that proposal.” ** And if this be the only reason why you hest- tate,” rejoined the Marchioness, “ you need not consider it for another instant. The sun does not rise at this Christmas season until a late hour; and if we take our departure between six and seven o'clock in the morning id “It will suit me excellently,” said Ciprina; “and I again assure your ladyship of my sincerest gratitude,” “Talk not to me of gratitude,” exclaimed the Marchioness: “ the obligation is mutual. You comicbooks ee a