Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 130: what you’re looking at

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

| prisoner _—— — 129 glad to render you my assistance. Now then, Carlotta, to the point !” “The female turnkey Gudulla will be here presently,” proceeded the young damsel ; “and if you signify to her your desire to pay your devo- tions in the chapel, the request will be immedi- ately conveyed to my father, and his reply will be in the affirmative.” “ But how will this serve your purpose P” asked Ciprina. “Because my mother, who is a great devotee and is very fond of compelling me to attend tbe chapel as often as possible, will be sure to throw out @ hint to the effect that I should do well to be present with you, as you are a newly arrived 9? “In short, my dear Carlotta,” interrupted Ci- pring, “you are so sure of being enabled to manage the point with your father, that it is needless for us to discuss it. Well then, so much the better! But now give me your con- fidence entirely—and tell me how the final ar- rangements are to be carried out for your libera- tion.” “ Yes—I will tell you everything,’ exclaimed Carlotta. “Tbe plan is wonderfully ingenious ; and yet, my dear friend, I am afraid you will laugh when I explain it—you will think it very ridiculous —and really I must confess that it is but little consistent with the policy and romance of a love- affair.” ‘No matter, my dear Carlotta,” said Ciprina, “ provided the desired end can be attained. You are so diffident and timid! Do speak out! What is this plan that has been devised ?” “Perhaps you may have noticed,’ continued the young dameel, “ the mode in which the bread is brought into the fortress P” Ciprina started—and she was suddenly seized with a violent inclination to burst out laughing ; for a suspicion of Carlotta’s meaning had flashed upon her mind, She however kept her counte- nance as she said, “ Yes—lI have observed that the bread is brought into the castle in enormous panniers or baskets.” * And it is in one of those baskets,” rejoined Carlotta, “that I presently hope to pass through the gates of the fortress.” “Ah!” said Ciprina: but she now experienced no inclination to laugh:—on the contrary, she reflected profoundly for nearly a minute. ‘Then I suppose,” she at length said, ‘that everything is arranged with the bakers who bring in the bread P” ‘ ““Yes—everything,” responded Carlotta. “To tell vou the truth, my dear Ciprina, it is one of those men who has served as an intermediary of correspondence between Sir Alexander and my- self. I think you now understand x “T understand everything ~” interjected Ciprina. “But at what hour does Father Falconara attend in the chapel?” * At about a quarter before two. He enters the confessional at once that is to say, if there be any person present who desires his sacred ministrations. It will be necessary for me to go through the ceremony first, because it is always my custom to do so when I accompany any female prisoner iuto the chapel; and if I were on this occasicn to deviate from the rule, it would mr Pe AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE, seem strange to the old sextoness. Bosides, the ceremony, so far as I am concerned, will be over just about two o’clock——it will not then seem singular if I quit the chapel without waiting for you »”» * Enough, my dear Carlotta!” interrupted Ci- prina: “ I comprehend it all!—the plan is most admirably arranged!—and it cannot possibly fail to succeed! Most cheerfully shall I assist you to the extent that you require.” The young damsel threw her arms about Ci- prina’s neck, and embraced her fervently. “T must now leave you,” she said; “ Gudulla will be here almost immediately—and you must make your request in reference to the chapel. It is close upon one o'clock,” added Carlotta, look- ing at her watch. - “In another hour " “In another hour,” rejoined Ciprina, “ you will be thinking of a speedy meeting with an ardent -lover.” Carlotta Belluno flung a look of gratitude upon her new friend, and then issued forth from the cell. Shortly after one o’clock the rough-voiced Gus dulla made her appearance, followed by another female turnkey bearing Ciprina’s dinner; and then the captive proffered the demand in reference to the chapel. “T will see that your wish is at once conveyed to the Governor, Number Thirty,” answered Gue dulla, who was now exceedingly polite and civil after her own fashion to Ciprina, because she had seen that the beautiful captive was in favour with the Governor’s daughter. CHAPTER XXtL THE BASKET. It was about twenty minutes to two o’clock when Carlotta Belluno returned to the cell of her friend Ciprina. The young lady had thrown on a species of mantilla, or cloak, wth a bood fringed with a deep black lace, which might serve as a veil in case of need. She had also secured about her person the articles of jewellery which she possessed ; and as she entered the cell, Ciprina immediately perceived that she had been weeping. “Do you repent the step which you are about to take, Carlotta ?” she inquired. “Oh, co! no!” responded the young damsel fervently. “ But still, my dear friend, it was 4 painful thing for me to leave my father and mother in such a way—then to fling a last look as it were upon my home! Ab, Ciprina! you cannot be surprised if I felt all this, and if for an instant I was overpowered by the violence of my emo- tions !” “Yes, Carlotta, it was natural,” replied Ci- prine. ‘But now you are courageous . ‘Qh, yes!—courageous and resolute!” was the answer. “And, Ah! my dear friend, what an immense debt of gratitude shall I owe you!” ‘Do not speak of it. I shall miss you, dear Carlotta !—but still I have every reason to hope that my own sojourn here will not be a lengthy one, and we shall perhaps soon meet again.” “Qh, what happiness that would be!” ejacue Comichboo nn SS — mi S| }