Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 154: what you’re looking at

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146 palpable and tangible, I give offence—or if by ex- pressing the impossibility that I experience of congratulating you on your marriage, I likewise provoke your anger,—I must take the conse- quences, whatever they may be. But I repeat, my lord, I condole with you; for, on my soul! as a living man! you are not happy in the choice you have made — inasmuch, as within the last two hours a warrant has been issued from the Treasury, laying seizure and confiscation on all the property belonging to the Marchioness di Mirano,” A groan—or rather a sound resembling the rueful lament of a wild beast that is wounded, came forth from the lips of the Count of Ramo- rino. He staggered back a pace or two, and then recovering himself, he said in a hollow voice, “ Is this true, my lord ?—is this indeed true? or am I labouring under the influence of some horrible dream? Tell me, my lord—am Ii wide awake? or am I sleeping? Good Ged! what does all this mean?” The wretched man scemed to be smitten blow upon blow; and strong-minded, energetic, self- possessed as he usually was, it must have been under the influence of very painful feelings indeed -—oppressed by the most harrowing emotions, that he could have so far lost his self-command as to give vent to such ianguage as that in the presence of his most bitter enemy. Even that enemy him- self pitied him for an instant: but this sympathy was transient as a passing wreath of vapour; and he said, ‘ Yes, my lord—a warrant of confiscation has been this evening issued from the Treasury— it is in the hands of the proper officors—and it will be executed to-morrow.” Tremendous was the effort which Ramorino made to recover his self-command; and he said, “ But this measure can be only taken as the con- sequence of a criminal Jaw procedure, or when some one is accused of a very heinous crime si “Such as poisoning, my lord,” interjected the Minister of Finance. “ Who better than yourself should know that for years past a woman of infamous character, named La Dolfina, has dwelt in Florence "E “Ah! Furlo wasright!” muttered the Minister of Police. ‘“ How the storm is lowering over our heads !—how awfully the thunder-cloud is prepar- ing to burst!” “Under existing circumstances, my lord,” said the Minister of Finance, “I cannot hold this cheque. It is valueless. The bankers will re- ceive notice of the levy, seizure, and confiscation the first thing in the morning. I leave you now. I was about to tell your Excellency how the Mar- chioness di Mirano bought poisons of La Dolfina; but I perceived that a mere reference to the in- famous woman’s name was suflicient to make you comprehend—or at least to suspect 3 “Enough, my lord! enough!” interrupted the Count of Ramorino vehemently. “It seems as if you were bent on persecuting me to tbe very ut- most! Go!—do your worst! I care not! Con- fiscate my wife’s money—and you confiscate my own! I shall not be to blame if I am boggared ! I had a right to spend what I possessed when cal- culating on the receipt of vast riches from this marriage of mine. Good night, my lord!—and T envy not your feelings in goading to desperation @ man who is already unhappy enough!” en me wm re mn re eT Oe Se ee eer a ee AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE, Having thus spoken in a fierce, wild, impas- sioned manner, the Count of Ramorino—usually so calm, collected, and full of self-possession— rushed forth from the room by one door, leaving the Minister of Finance to issue forth by another. Speeding to his own cabinet, Ramorino walked to and fro like a wild beast paving and chafing in its cage,—until he gréw somewhat calmer. He then rang the bell, and asked if any arrests were reported? The reply was still in the negative ; and he said to the man who had answered the summons, “i am about to return to my own house. Let those who have received particular orders from me this evening, bring their reports as soon as they return and when they have any communications to make,” The Count of Ramorino then left the Prefec- ture, and strode rapidly through the now deserted streets to his own private residence, which he reached just as the clocks of Florence were pro- claiming the hour of midnight. CHAPTER XXV. THE TWO AMBASSADORS. WE roust now return to Charles De Vere, who, as we have stated in a previous chapter, arrived in Florence in the afternoon of a day that was memorable in the lives of many persons. Having placed himself under the protection of the British Ambassador, he communicated to that functionary everything which had occurred, and they had a long consultation together. A messenger was sent to the hotel at which Charles had originally put up; and the man brought back a letter addressed to our hero, This was the one which Edgar Mare cellin had left for him there on the preceding day, and Charles was rejoiced to learn therefrom that the young Frenchman was safe ‘and under the protection of his own Ambassador. Marcellin said in his letter to Charles that he would immediately obey any summons which might be sent or any appointment which might be made: but he nevertheless recommended cau- tion and prudence in whatsoever proceedings should be adopted, for reasons that could be ex- plained. Acting by the advice of the Waglish Ambassador, Charles wrote to Marcellin, announe- ing his safe arrival in Florence after having ex- perienced many strange adventures, and requesting Edgar to come to him after dusk at the British Embassy. It was half-past six o’clock in the evening when a lady, closely veiled, presented herself at this Embassy, and requested an immediate interview with the British Ambassador. She declared her business to be of the utmost importance; and thus she had no difficulty in obtaining the gratification of her regaeet. In a few minutes she found herself in the presence of the English representa- tive. “T have along tale to tell your Excellency,” she began,—“a tale of crimes in one quarter— wrongs and persecutions in another—singular ad- ventures and hair-breadth escapes ——”’ “Indeed, madam!” ejaculated the Ambassador. “This is an afternoon replete with singular ad. Omichooksxco |