Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 101: what you’re looking at

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

_ trust you! ° AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE, “We are speaking within four walls,” resumed Lucrezis,—“ beyond which nothing can transpire, and within which no voices but our own can be heard. But still you must not suppose that it is through any fear of your ulterior measures that I am making propositions or seeking to come to terms. Nothing of the sort ! I have naught to ap- prehend. But at the same time it is odious and horrible to be thus at war with one’s fellow- creatures !” “ Yes — odious and horrible,” said Marcellin. * But if I were disposed to accept either of your ladyship’s propositions—what guarantee can you offer me——”’ “ What guarantee do you require or demand P” asked Lucrezia eagerly. “In the first place,” responded Edgar, “ that you summon the girl Antonia hither so that I may at once receive a proof of your good faith and friendly intentions, by hearing you proclaim your forgiveness of any grievances, real or imagi- nary, which you may have against her.” “Ah! that is quickly done!” ejaculated the Marchioness. ‘I will: hasten and fetch Antonia hither !” ‘But why not ring one of these bells ?” de- manded Edgar. “It would be her business to respond to such a summons.” Lucrezia looked confused; and she rapidly sought in her mind for some pretext or excuse in this new emergency which had just arisen. * Ah!” gaid Marcellin; “I see that I cannot At the very moment when I was about to yield to your overtures for peace, you refuse me that slight and simple proof of your good faith which it is so necessary for me to acquire under existing circumstances !” “‘No—I do not refuse that proof of my good faith !” ejaculated the Marchioness. “ Bus I will deal frankly with you; and then you shall judge whether these overtures of mine are made in ear- _ nest or otherwise !” “ Yes—let us deal frankly with each other!” replied Marcellin ; “ for heaven knows there has been too much dissumulation and underground work—too much mining and countermining : “And all this shall cease!” cried Lucrezia, while joy went on expanding in her heart as she fancied that each succeeding moment afforded an additional proof of Edgar Marcellin’s willing- ness to conclude a treaty of peace. ‘The only reason why I hesitated in respect to Antonia, is this—that she is in my boudoir !” “Let us ring all the same,” interjected Mar- cellin: “some one else will answer the summons —and then we will send for Antonia. Ab, by heaven ! even this proposition does not please you! —a shade comes over your countenance! Now, will you still have me believe that you are dealing frankly, and that you wish for peace?” “Oh, leap not to such hasty conclusions!” eried the Marchioness. “I really mean to deal frankly—as I hope that you likewise do! Ina word, therefore, Antonia is locked in my bou- doir 4s “ Ah!” ejaculated Edgar. “ And the key ?” “T have it about my person,’ was the re- sponse. ‘‘Then, as an additional guarantee,” said Mar. cellin, whose handsome countenance now under: 93 went a sudden change, “ you must permit me t bind you.” “To bind me 2” echoed the Marchioness, in acs cents of affright. “'Yes—to bind you!” repeated Edgar. “It is & mere ceremony—an idle form—quite harmless, you know !”—and while thus speaking, he was taking forth shawls and kerchiefs from Ciprina’s drawers. All in a moment the Marchioness darted forth from the chamber, her object being to rush to- wards the outer door of the suite and make her escape from Edgar Marcellin’s power. But quick as lightning was the young Frenchman upon her track : he seized upon her—he dragged her back into that chamber from which she had sought to flee. Her countenance was white with rage : it was a look of demoniac wickedness which she bent upon Edgar Marcellin. Ob! thew indeed sho seemed to be of a fearful beauty—the personifica- tion of all the worst passions that are known to the human heart,—as on that memorable night when she etood before Ciprina in the portrait- gallery, with the dagger in her hand and the bleeding form of Edgar Marcellin at her feet. But the young Frenchman recked not for her vindictive regards; and brandishing the iron weapon in @ menacing manner, he commanded her to kneel. She was now afraid !—yes, once again she was full of the direst apprehension; for there was the light of a firm and resolute purpose shining in the handsome eyes of Edgar Marcellin. He proceeded to bind her wrists behind her back with Ciprina’s kerchiefs: but he bound her not in such a manner as actually to hurt her : his object was simply to render her powerless for a certain time. He then fastened her in such a manner to a solid marble pillar belonging to an alcove, that she could not reach the bell-pull. Having thus taken his measures so far as the security of the Marchioness was concerned, he searched in her pocket for the key of her boudoir ; and on finding it, he said, “ You will be wise if you follow the counsel which I have to give; and this is, that you attempt not to raise any alarm—for I shall not be very far distant nor very long absent; and if cries so reach my ears, depend upon it I shalt hurry back quickly and show you no mercy.” Edgar Marcellin then proceeded into the ante- room, closing the intermediate doors in order tho more effectually to drown the cries of the Mar- chioness in case she should disregard his warning. Passing forth by the outer door of tho suite, he locked it behind him, securing the key about his person. He thence proceeded straight to Lucrezia’s boudoir: for not merely had he been to that boudoir before, on the night when he pos- sessed himself of the garments and the pistol, but moreover he was intimately acquainted with all the principal turnings and windings of the man- sion, thanks to the information which he had received from Lisetta in London. In a few mo- ments he reached the boudoir of the Marchioness, having fortunately encountered no one on the way. ‘The key which he had taken from about the person of Lucrezia, proved to be that which he had required; and thus in another moment he found himself in the presence of Antonia. The young girl gave utterance to acry of joy as sne bounded towards him; and if it were stifled some- COMMicloookk nn) ~~ a ee eee (© =}