Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

ewe mre we “ Yes—I know Corinna,” answered Edgar: “ but | suddenly rich again. AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. 3 It. was only the day before whether we shall see her this day, I cannot say— | yesterday that an appalling piece of intelligenca for she is ill. Tell me, Lisetta—have you ever entertained any suspicion in respect to the assassin of poor Giulio ?” The girl fixed her large dark eyes upon the Frenchman’s countenance, as if to read the in- most purposes of his soul ; and she at length said, * Why do you ask? What interest can you, a mere flying visitor to Florence at the time, enter- tain with reference to such subjects ?” * What interest, Lisetta! I will tell you. I see that there is something of importance dwelling in your mind—I can read it in your looks. Perhaps this meeting which at first I thought was acci- dental, may turn out to be providential. Tell me then frankly — did you never hear, Lisetta, a syllable of accusation breathed against my- self ?” “ Against you, signor ?”’ ejaculated Lisetta, with an air of the most unfeigned astonishment, as she opened wide her large dark eyes. ‘ No—never, never !”” ** This is most strange! most wonderful !”’ mut- tered Edgar to himself. ‘ When did you leave Tlorence, Lisetta ?” “ A few days after the murder of poor Giulio, signor,” replied Lisetta. “ Ah! well doI recol- lect the date! It was during the night of the fourteenth of February that he was murdered ; and it was on the eighteenth I left Florence.” “ It was on the fifteenth that I left,” said Mar- cellin,—‘‘ the day after the murder. Did no evil rumour prevail ?—are you quite confident ?” “IT heard none—and to my knowledge none prevailed. But my God!” exclaimed Lisetta, “ what do you mean by this questioning ? Is it possible that after all I am wrong—that my sus- picions have been most unjustly directed towards an innocent person? In short, signor, is it your breast that is tortured with remorse P was it your hand Ah! I recollect! that same evening you also departed from the villa! It was on horse- back—you must have left it about the same time —to pursue the same road Oh, my God! to think that all this should never have struck me before, and that for months past I have been ac- cusing one who is innocent !” Lisetta’s face had rapidly grown more expres- sive of the strong feelings of amazement, horror, and consternation which she was experiencing as she thus spoke : she stepped back a pace or two, as if afraid to find herself in contact with one whom she now lvoked upon as a murderer. “ By heaven, Lisetta!” ejaculated Marcellin, “J swear to youl am innocent. I was as inca- pable of injuring the hair of that youth’s head, as of wickedly and maliciously doing you a mischief at the present moment! But tell me, whom have you all along supected P” Lisetta gave no answer: she stood a prey to the most painful bewilderment, — not knowing what to think, or what belief to settle her mind upon,—feeling as if all her purposes, as they ex- isted but a short time back, had now become abruptly and utterly changed. “For heaven’s sake speak, Lisetta!’’ urged Edgar, in a tune of vehement entreaty: “for this is a matter of life and death to me! I have suf- had . fered much—I have been poor~—but I now am eee was conveyed to my knowledge, to the effect that Suspicion rests against me—nay, more, that a veritable accusation has been made "2 ‘“* Who made the accusation P” asked Lisetta. “ Signor Paoli is in Florence, seeking to inves- tigate the fate of his son. Hoe has written to his daughter, to say that Giulio was murdered, and that I was his assassin. But who his authority couid be, I know not But no! It could scarcely be!” Marcellin stopped short in the verbal expres- sion of his thoughts : but he continued musing to himself, “Tell me what is passing in your mind,” said Lisetta; “for if you be really innocent—although heaven knows I am now so bewildered—I know not what to think te “ Again I swear to you that I am innocent!” interrupted Marcellin, with passionate vehemence, “Good God! think you I should stand here look. ing you in the face, and seeking to prove mine in- nocence, if I were really guilty? No—I should have skulked away, asevery villain skulks from the presence of any one whom he fears may become an accuser! Tor of what avail were it for me to seek to persuade you that I am guiltless, unless it were that my blood boils at the idea of lying under the imputation of acrimeP No other motive could I have: for you cannot stretch forth your hand and grasp me tightly while you invoke the officers of justice to my capture. This is a foreign land; and its laws hold not as amenable unto them those who offend in other climes. And I will tell you more, Lisetta,” continued Marcellin, speaking with an energy and emphasis which evidently produced a deep impression upon the young female; “ yes- terday and the day before I was cursing my fate because I was poor—nay, almost penniiess—and unable to speed to Italy and take measures to vin- dicate my character and prove my innocence. Oh! the thought was distracting, that I was thus fet- tered and bound by the bonds of penury—chained to the soil of Britain—riveted as it were to the very pavement of London—while my spirit was yearning to take wings and fly to Florence to face my accusers, whoever they might be! And now, Lisetta, this very day has brought me the joyous intelligence that I am rich again; and to-morrow —Oh! to-morrow, was it my intention to set off without delay for your native clime! And thiok you, Lisetta, that I should do this unless sustained by the proud consciousness of completest inno- cence P” The large dark eyes of the Italian girl were fixed penetratingly upon Edgar Marcellin as he spoke; and when he had finished, she reflected deeply for a few moments. Then she said ina tone which showed that she was more than half inclined to proclaim her conviction of his inno- cence, “ Have you any idea from what source could have emanated an accusation of which you only heard for the first time the day before yester- day ?” It was now Edgar’s turn to reflect for a fow moments; and then he said, “ Yes, Lisetta—this meeting is evidently providential, and must not be termed accidental, I will deal candidly with you; we must give each other our contidenca. It Oe ee ee icbook . ——_ I unless indeed—unless C© 5}