Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 158: what you’re looking at

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

160 But no matter! I safe-conduct for Paoli also, dare say that no harm will occur to him to-night, and if it should be otherwise, we must make the best of it. Bid him. be cautious; and to-morrow a suitable passport shall be forthcoming for his protection.” The two Ambassadors withdrew; and Ciprina said to the young gentlemen, “ You will escort me as far as my hotel; for I can scarcely remain here while you proceed to the appointment at Petroro’s.” “ We will escort you to your hotel,” answered Charles De Vere; “and rest assured that you shall receive due intelligence of whatsoever may pre- sently transpire, if it be of importance.” The two young gentlemen and Ciprina now went forth together from the mansion of the British Ambassador. Marcellin and De Vere left Ciprina at her hotel; and they began to bend their way towards the street where Signor Petroro dwelt, just as nine o’clock was being proclaimed from all the church towers of Florence. Be it borne in recollection that it was precisely at this same hour that Father Falconara issued from the residence of Count Ramorino, after having tied the nuptial knot between that functionary and Lucrezia di Mirano. It happened that just as De Vere and Marcellin were turning the corner of a street, they encountered the young priest exactly opposite a chemist’s window, which poured forth a glare of light that rendered a recognition instan- taneous betwixt our young hero and Father Fal- conara. “ Worthy and excellent friend!’’ exclaimed De Vere, seizing the priest’s hand and pressing it with enthusiasm. “Oh, how rejoiced I am to have this opportunity ——” “ Hush! hush!” interrupted Father Faleonara, in & peremptory tone; and it was with a strange degree of violence that he dragged our hero some little way aside. “Is it possible that you have AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. communicated to that gentleman who is with you, | anything I mean Ah! perhaps you com- prebend what I do mean?” “T simply told him the truth, holy father,” re- plied De Vere, at once understanding the cause of the young ecclesiastic’s excitement; “I said that I seized upon you and overpowered you at Bagno og “Enough! enough!” interrupted the priest. “But you, insensate that you are! to be thus abroad in the streets of Florence! Can you not conjecture wherefore Lam here? My object has been to report to Count Ramorino, Minister of the Tusean Police, your escape from the fortress of Baeno—and that of the lady who was taken thither with you. But you are perhaps ignorant that she hkewise has escaped ?” “No—I am aware of if,” replied De Vere. “ But fear not on my account! Ramorino is power- less towards me.” * Ah! is this so?” exclaimed Falconars, with a look that demonstrated all the real pleasure bis generous heart experienced on receiving this assurances “Yes, it isso,” repeated De Vere. “ And now “Tf you would do this,” said the priest, “it would make sure doubly sure!” “T will do if with pleasure,” rejoined De You" “At this moment I have important business on hand: but if you will come to me presently at the British Embassy let us say at eleven o’clock— unless indeed it be too late for you ——” ** No—it will not be too late,” answered the young priest. “At eleven o’clock I will be with you at the British Embassy.” The ecclesiastic passed on; De Vere and Edgar Marcellin pursued their way towards Petroro’s house. On reaching their destination, they learnt from Petroro that Signor Paoli had not as yet arrived; and it struck them both that the man did not appear to be in the best of all possible humours, “ Does anything ail you?” inquired Marcellin, “The truth is, signore,” replied Petroro, “I am sfraid of all these comings and goings; it takes so little to compromise a man in the estimation of our Minister of Police 4 “ Rest assured that you will be protected,” in. terrupted De Vere. ’* Protected indeed!” ejaculated Petroro. “{ certainly do not see how. Nevertheless, for Paoli’a sake ”? “T tell you how you will be protected,” said Charles. “Iam an Englishman—my companion is a Frenchman—and our Ambassadors will see injury done to no person on our account. Besides, we ourselves are protected by your own Govern- ment:—the Minister of the Interior holds his shield over our heads; and as a proof of the state- ment I am making to you, behold the safe-conduct with which I am provided.” ** And here is mine,” added Marcellin. Petroro’s countenance brightened up when he beheld these documents which the two young men showed him ; and he said, “ Well, sigoors, I am glad to find that you are thus powerfully pro- tected. Whosoever enjoys the favour of the Minister of the Interior, may defy the Minister of Police. And now what is your pleasure? Will you remain here until Paoli shall arrive? or is it your desire that I should send a message to inti- mate x “Tf you are certain that he will come,” inter- rupted De Vere, “ we had better wait: for although we have given you certain positive assurances on your own account, yet it must be borne in mind that Paoli is more exposed by circumstances to the persecutions of the police, and it were only consis- tent with prudence on our part to avoid attracting suspicion of any kind towards your house.” “ Wait, then, by all means, signors,” said Pe- troro, who was now completely civil: “it is the coming and going backwards and forwerds of which I am so apprehensive.” De Vere aud Marcellin accordingly waited at Petroro’s house: and it was not until past tea o’eloek that Paoli made bis appearance. He bad been detained on the road by circumstances over which he bad no control, but which it is not worth while to placa on record here. Marcellin I bethink me, perhaps it might be as well to draw | presented De Vere to the Neapolitan refugee; and up a statement or sign some paper, in Vindication of Captain Belluoo, in case he may be suspected of either complicity or neglect with regard to my escape.” exciting indeed was the intelligence which awaited that uafortunate father of the murdered Giulio. Tae net whicod her own imquity had woven was fast closing in around the Marehioness of Mirano: ay ae _ COMIGDOOKS:C 7