Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 135: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY ANP PLEASURE. Sir Alexander Holcroft. He had in no way de- reived her in reference to the welcome which she might expect at the hands of those whom she was now tojoin. Cicely, at once addressing her as “ Miss Lister,” greeted her with cordiality, end introduced her to Josephine, who bent upon ber a compassionating look. As for Hector Hardress, he tossed away his cigar, leapt down from the box, apd spoke to Ciprina in the most friendly manner. She took her seat inside the carriage: Hector followed her.into the vehicle—hands were shaken with Sir Alexander Holcroft—and the equipage Folied on its way. At first Ciprina felt slightly embarrassed by the position in which she found herself; but this sense of awkwardness speedily wore off when she per- ceivec in how agreeable and friendly a manner her companions were chatting with her. The fact was they all three believed that having been made | Clifford’s victim, she had since her separation from him led a virtuous life. Cicely was good-hearted after her own fashion; and she felt interested in the cousin of Agnes Evelyn. Josephine, having suffered as well as Floribel herself through the villany of Clifford, was naturally inclined to sym- pathise with her: while Hector, having remem- bered that Miss Lister was endowed with a tran- scending beauty, had instantaneously entertained rertain hopes and ideas which rendered bim thus anzrious to have her as a travelling-companion. But during the journey Hector was completely on his guard; for he knew that his wife Cicely pos- sessed keen eyes and a strong spirit—and he did not choose to excite her jealousy by any direct attentions towards Ciprina. As for Ciprina her- self, she had not failed to comprebend Sir Alex- ander Holcroft’s meaning, when he had said “that be would tell her how the game stood, and she might then play her cards according to her inclination :” for the description of Hector’s ready interference on her behalf had afforded a clue to the Baronet’s idea. In plain terms, Ciprina under- stood that she might make a conquest in this quarter, if she thought fit. It occurred to her that Josephine Hardress was not altogether bappy in her mind; for every now and then she sighed audibly, or else hac some difli- culty in repressing the sigh that was rising up into her throat. It also occurred to Ciprina that on two or three occasions Hector darted a quick look upon his sister, as if to recall her to berself; and that then Josephine gave a sudden start and assumed Bn air of gaiety. Ciprina fancied that Josephine was unhappy on account of her brother having been unfortunate enough to kill a person in a duel. It was about six o’clock in the evening when | the travelling-carriage entered the court-yard of | one of the principal hotels in Florence. As usual, the domestics burried out to receive the new arri- vals; and as usual likewise, a number of beggars came grovelling towards them—for this exhibition of mendicancy is invariable within the precincts of Italian hostelries. Hector gave one arm to his wife—the other to Ciprina—while Josephine followed ; and this little preference towards Ciprina over his sister, was another proof for the young lady that the hint | she had received from Sir Alexander Holcroft was! 2ld sextoness. well grounded, if she thought fit to profit by it. On entering the hotel, , 127 Before concluding this chapter, it is necessary | for a certain reason that we return tothe Castle of Bagno, to see what there took place after the flight .of Ciprina. We will at once direct attention to Carlotta Belluno, whom we left in the confessional, separated by the almost impervious screen of treilisework from Father Faleconara. The young | priest, we have already said, was later than usual /in the chapel; but his admonitions, so far from being abbreviated on that account, were somewhat | lengthened—as if he deemed it needful to convince his penitent that because he was late it was no reason why he should be considered indolent or neglectful. Carlotta was quivering with suspensa: she heard the clock strike two—and still the admonitions of the priest continued. However, | she consoled herself with the idea that the bakers would be sure to stopa few minutes—and “hat they would not argue from her non-appearance at the exact moment, that she did not mean, or was unable, to keep the appointment at all. It was | quite five minutes past two when Carlotta Belluno issued forth from the confessionel. She then turned towards the altar where she had left Ciprina kneeling: but that young lady was not to be seen. Carlotta thought thas she had simply strayed away into another part of the chapel; and she quickly made the circuit of the place to look for her. Not finding her, she said to herself, “Ciprina must have been taken til and gone back to her cell. On no other account would the sex- | toness have allowed her to pass.” Towards the door did Carlotta hasten: the old sextoness was there; and the damsel inquired, * Where is the prisoner—Number Thirty—who entered with me?” “ T have not seen her, signora. Is she not still | in the chapel ?” asked the sextoness. “No. But perhaps you may have left this door for a moment or two P” *“'Yes—to give admission to a couple of the male prisoners.” | * Ab, well!” said Carlotta: “then Number | Thirty may have gone into the yard to walk—or | she may have returned to her cell if she be indis- | Poe and Gudulla may have given her admis- sion thither.” “Very likely, signora,” said the sextoness, who for an instant had looked frightened, because the recollection of the escape of the preceding night was fresh in the minds of every individual withio the castle walls. Carlotta passed out into the yard with palpi- tating heart and quickly-beating pulses: but bakers and basket—where were they ? Oh! per- haps they had not as yet come ? It was onlya few minutes past two; and they might not have been able to keep their appointment as punctually as they had expected. Carlotta ran across the yard to Ciprina’s cell; she opened the door with her pass-key Ciprina was not there! Well then, after all, I must have missed her in the chapel the damsel mentally ejaculated. Back to the. chapel she sped : Ciprina was not there. Carlotta knew not what to think: but not for a moment did she suspect what the actual truth might be. ‘This is most extraordinary !” she said to the “ T cannot find her.” “ You do not think, signora—you do not pos- me ee eee LL DO LLL LT LOL LL ELL LLL LC LC LC NT Ee yma oO CORMicloo GC S co 5}