Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 146: what you’re looking at

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

—a_—SKS. a — SOO OCC ee eee CT Orn" 00000 ee ee eee eee 138 something must be known of the young gentle- man at the British Embassy—and therefore I am no longer uneasy on his account.” “Tf he should happen to return,” said the Minister, “lose not an instant in forwarding a message to me at the Prefecture to that effect.” The Count then took his departure from the hotel; and he proceeded straight to the British Embassy. On announcing his name, he was at once conducted into a waiting-room, while his card was taken to the British Envoy. In a few minutes one of the attachés of the Embassy made his appearance; and courteously saluting the Tuscan Minister of Police, ke said, “I regret that his Excellency”—thus alluding to the Envoy— “should be unable to receive your lordship at this moment: but he is exceedingly occupied “Tt is unnecessary that his Excellency should disturb himself,” interjected Ramorino. “The object of my visit is sd simple—and you can doubtless give me the information I seek. Intel- ligence has been communicated to the police that a young English gentleman, named Charles De Vere, has been unaccountably missing M “This information,” interrupted the attaché, “has also been forwarded to the Embassy.” “ Have any tidings been received m “Tam really unable,” at once interrupted the attaché, “ to give your lordship any information on the point: but I will presently report to his Excellency this kind visit on your lordship’s part, and I have no doubt that you will be communicated with so soon as there may be anything of conse- quence to impart.” The Minister of Police failed not to perceive that the attaché was speaking eyasiyely; but with- out suffering his countenance to betray the sus- picion which he thus entertained, Ramorino said, “T just now called at the hotel where the young English gentleman had put up; I learnt that inquiries had been made for his letters on the part of a domestic from this Embassy.” “Oh, yes,” said the attuché: ‘ that isour rule. Whenever anything doubtiul or mysterious happens to a British subject abroad, the first duty of the British diplomatic agent in the particular country, state, or district, is to look after the missing one’s property and letters.” “No doubt of it,” said Ramorino: and perceiv- ing that it was useless to endeavour to sift the attaché any further, he took his leave, with a re- quest that should tidings be received concerning Mr. De Vere, they might be at once communicated to him. “That fellow was playing a part!” said Ramo- rino to himself as he issued forth from the portals of the British Embassy. “There is astorm brew- ing!—that is perfectly clear! Doubtless this Ciprina has told De Vere everything that she herself knows or suspects; and De Vere purposes to range himself on the same side with Ciprina and Marcellin! Ab, and what if Marcellin should have also sought the protection of his own Em bassy? To fight the battle against them, if they be backed by the power and influence of the two Embassies,—this will indeed prove a hard struggle! By Jupiter! it would be by no means amusing if in the very first days or even hours of my honey- moon, I found myself called upon to issue a war- rant for the arrest of my owa wife f ; x ‘ - AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. While making these reflections, the Count of Ramorino pursued his way through the streets of Florence, muffled in his cloak. As he approached his private residence—where, be it remembered, he had left Lucrezia—he noticed a man, dressed in LJ . . : mean apparel, lounging about on the opposite side of the street. Now, a Minister of Police has the best memory and the keenest eyes in all the world for particular circumstances. Consequently, Ra- morino instantaneously recollected that when he had just now issued forth from his private resi- dence, he had seen a mean-looking person hanging about the premises ;—and he now recognised the man to be the same. “Ah! ha!” thought the Minister to himself; “this is an espial of some kind! see.” : Ramorino continued his way without entering his private residence; and he walked in the direc- tion of the Mirano mansion. He lighted a cigar, and strolled along as if with the leisurely, noncha- lant air of one who has nothing particular to do; —and on arriving in the vicinage of the palatial establishment, he flung his keen regards around. He now perceived another person in mean apparel, lounging about in this quarter; and he muttered to himself, “ Ah! ’tis clear enough! The watch is set upon Lucrezia !” Continuing his way, the Count of Ramorinc dropped the cigar from his mouth at the very ia- stant he was passing the man to whom we have alluded. This individual rushed forward to pick it up; and the Count exclaimed, “Thank you, my good man! thank you!—but it is of no conso- quence! However, here.is something for your trouble.” “T am obliged to your Excellency,” said the man, taking the coin which was proffered him: and he showed by his respectful demeanour, as well as by his words, that he had recognised the Minister of Police. “Ah! you are not an Italian?” said Ramo- rino, as if quite carelessly. “No, my lord,’ was the response: “I ama Frenchman.” ‘““ And a yery civil person you are into the bar- gain,’ rejoined the Count. ‘‘ Good evening to you, my man.” The Minister of Police continued his way, making a circuit of the walls bounding the gardens in the midst of which stood the Mirano mansion; and he said to himself, * A labourer, who has all the ready civility of a footman, and who bows like one! No, no! that will not do! Coarse ap- parel and clean hands! Inconsistent! I under- stand it all! ItisasIsuspected! Marcellin has taken ‘refuge at the French Embassy — he has told his tale to the Ambassador—and Lucrezia is watched by two of the French footmen disguised as labourers! I will however assure myself more fully on the point.” Having made the circuit of the grounds belong- ing to the Mirano mansion, the Minister of Police retraced his way towards his private residence ; and by suddenly debouching, as it were, from a bye-street almost immediately facing his abode, he came upon the mean-looking individual to whom we at first alluded. He purposely ran against him, but making it appear asif it were entirely an acci- dent. The man apologized on his own side; la- mMicdook But we will — nn ns (S@) 5}