Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 142: what you’re looking at

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(rr re ee ee ee 134 ee holy father : the ceremony shall take place at once,” The priest bowed, and followed the Count of Ramorino from the apartment. The reader can easily understand how Father Falecunara was | | wife, deeply anxious to shield the Governor of Bagno | againstthe ire of the Minister of Police on ac- count of the escape of the prisoners: because the young priest himself had aided one of those cap- tives to regain the fresh air of freedom. It would have weighed upon Falconara’s conscience as a huge crime, if Captain Belluno should suffer on that account. Thus, when Falconara found that instead of having to deal with a stern functionary who had to be coaxed and cajoled, entreated and implored, he was treated with the utmost favour and friendliness, ‘his heart leapt within him. The | sort of marriage which he was called upon to solemnize, was “perfectly legal, and not altogether unusual ; so that there was not the slightest scruple of conscience on the part of Father Fal- conara in acceding to Ramorino’s request. * Tt will be time enough,” thought the young priest, “‘ to explain the object of my mission, and communicate the evil tidings to the Minister, when I shall have rendered him the service he has demanded. The pardon of Captain Belluno is the fee that I shall demand!” The Minister of Police led Father Falconara AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. | proper service in a low but impressive tone. We ‘need not dwell upon the proceeding: suffice it to say that the wish previously entertained by the Count of Ramorino, was gratified: and within the hour then passing the Marchioness became his No legal intervention had given security to her fortune—no marriage-settlement had invested her with the exclusive control of her great wealth: but all was now at the mercy of a gambler and a spendthrift. This she knew: but, on the other hand, it was her very life which had been at stake—and now she experienced a sudden sense of security, | such as for some time past she had not known ! They rose from their knees—that couple—man and wife !—and Father Falconara breathed a few | words of congratulation; but they fell tamely and languidly from his lips, for he could not blind ‘bimself to the fact that there was something strange and peculiar in this wedding, CHAPTER XXIII. OMINOUS APPEARANCES. Yes—it was no wonder that the young priest should think thers was something strange in the into the apartment where the Marchioness @i/ bridal which he had just consecrated: for though, Mirano had remained. He deemed it better not | as we have already said, there was nothing illegal to enter beforehand to prepare her for the cere- | in it, nor was such a wedding altogether unusual, mony, as he did not wish to stand a chance of | yet it naturally struck Father Falconara that a being compelled to argue the whole question over | nobleman and a lady belonging to the highest again : he thought that by acting thus promptly and abruptly, he should be striking a blow which | class of society might well have spared a little time to have their espousals celebrated in a would convince Lucrezia of his resolute firmness, | manner more consistent with their rank. and therefore prove irresistible on her part. The instant the door opened, the Marchioness As the priest closed bis missal, the Count of Ramorino imprinted a kiss upon the forehead of flung her looks anxiously towards it ; for her mind | Lucrezia, who received it with simulated tender- was in so perturbed, anxious, and unsettled a state, that the slightest incident was now fall well calculated to be fraught with terror. She beheld Ramorino—and she beheld also the priest follow- ing him. She started—and a flush of indignation glowed for an instant upon her cheeks: but she immediately resigned herself to her fate. * Dearest Lucrezia,’ MRamorino hastened to whisper in her ear, “ the opportune arrival of this young ecclesiastic, who has come to ask me some favour rs “Enough, my lord!” returned the Marchioness. * As well now as to-morrow !” “ Permit me, holy father,” said the Minister of Police, with an air of the most perfect courtesy, “to present you to the Marchioness di Mirano.” The young priest bowed: Lucrezia bestowed upon bim a cold and distant salutation—for in the morbid state of her mind she almost regarded him as an enemy. “A white cloth if you please, my lord,” whis- pered Father Falconara. A snowy napkin was instantaneously procured from an adjoining room, without the necessity of summoning a domestic; and the young priest spread the cloth upon the table to make it repre- sent an altar. Then the ceremony commenced. The Minister of Police and the Marchioness di Mirauo kuelt together; and Father Falconara, taking a missal from beneath bis cassock, read the ness: for though she looked upon the Minister as the man who was to save and defend her, yet she detested him in the light of a husband who had forced himself upon her. Father Falconara took a seat at a side-table, where there were writing materials; and drew up the usual certificate of the marriage. This was speedily accomplished; and he handed the document to the Count of Ramorino, who at once secured it about his person. Then, drawing forth two or three pieces of gold, Ramorino approached Father Falconara, and hurriedly whispered, “Come. to me to-morrow—and I will fulfil my promise, if possible. You have some boon to ask —and if it is reasonable, it shall be granted.” The young priest received not the gold which the Minister endeavoured to thrust into his hand; and he said, “‘ Pardon me, my lord—but I cannot accept such a fee ; and the boon which I have to entreat of you, is one that can be granted by means of a single word from your lips.” “ What mean you? But to. morrow let it be !” said the Count. “ At present “Not two minutes shall I detain your lord- ship !” interrupted Father Falconara: “ aud be- lieve me, my mission is an important one.” ff Well, well,” said Ramorino, impatiently, “pro- ceed. What is your business ? Whence do you come P” “JT am the chaplain, may it please your Excel- MICGIOOKS (E©) S|