Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 163: what you’re looking at

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

ae zs , + SS 4 oe # .* YA i$ ra po a “And they have doubtless escaped!” said the Minister. ‘ Well—as matters now stand, it is of no consequence—I care nothing at present for dheir arrest : “They possess safe-conducts, my lord.” * Ah! is this so?” cried the Count. “Yes, my lord,” rejoined. the ebtrro,—“ safe- conducts signed by the Minister of the Interior,” - he official then proceeded to describe the scene ‘which took place at the gate of the British Em- bassy: and scarcely bad he finished his narrative, when the officer to whom Ramorino had entrusted the warrant for Marcellin’s apprehension on the ebarge of murder, mado his appearance in the waiting-room. What he had to tell was quickly said: another failure had been experienced—and Edgar Marcellin was evidently under the special protection of the Minister of the Interior! “No human being can now avert the storm from bursting over Lucrezia’s head !”’ said Ramorino to himself, when having dismissed the two police- officials, he began to retrace his way back to the apartment where he had left her. “And let it burst! What matters it now tome? Am I not ruinedP is not my own destruction inevitable P bave I not plunged myself into a vortex whence there is no possible redemption? But Ah! there is a ring at the gate! Perhaps itis some fresh in- telligence of evilP It were madness on my part to suppose that any tidings of a pleasant or hope- fal nature could now reach me!” The Minister of Police lingered in the entrance- hall while a domestic went to answer the sum- mons at the gate; and a voice which was easily recognised, inquired in a low diffident tone, “ Is it possible to see his Excellency at sueh an hour P” “ Ab, Furlo!” ejaculated the Count. ‘“ What can he want? Has he thought better of it? does he yet purpose to lend me the money? If so, I may still be save!” It was indees Furlo, the old miser, who came to seek an interview with the Count of Ramorino; and the two were quickly cluseted together in the apartment where the Minister bad just before re- ceived the police-officials . “Now, keep me not a moment in suspense, is it possible that I can have the money which | require ?” “I think, my lord,” responded the cautious old map, “ that it is quite possible.” “Ab!’ — and the Minister instantaneously breathed more freely. ‘“ But I presume that there is some security you require and which you may have perhaps thought of P—some guarantee that I may give P” “Yes, my lord—it is so,” rejoined the old man; “that is to say, if the seizure and levy have not as yet been made upon the mansion of the Mar- chioness of Mirano.” “*No—the seigure has not yet been made!” cried the Count, who was literally palpitating from bead to foot with the excitement of hope and suspense, “What are you thinking of, Farlo? Byeak quickly ! time is precious!” “T will explain myself in a very few instants,” said the miser. “Jtis true that I require some little guarantee; and this guarantee | think your Excelleney will not find it difficult to give. It is a large sum whico your lordship requires; but it AGNES; OR, BEAUTY ANP PLEASURE. Signor Furlo!” said the Count: “but tell me— | 166 can be immediately forthcoming ——yes, even at this hour of the night.’ “And the guarantee?” ejaculated Ramorino im- patiently. “The Marchioness di Mirano possesses several — magnificent pictures,” said Furlo, “I am a judge of those works of art—I have seen her ladyship’s pictures on one of those days when she wa3 good shale to throw open her gallery to the pub- le : eae “I understand you, Furlo!” interrupted the _ Count: “you require come of those pictures as a guarantee for the loan P” “ Hxactly so,” rejoined the money-lender, “ I carry in my recollection some half-dozen of the pictures which I should be disposed to look upon as a sufficient security.” ** And you shall have them,” cried the Minister of Police: then rushing towards the bell: pull, he added, “ One of my domestics shall go with you.” “ Not so, my lord!”’ interjected Furlo. “There will be levy and seizure on the entire property; and if any articles be now removed from within the walls of the Mirano mansion, it might be deemed & surreptitious remuval—and the goods, if traced to my habitation, might be taken from me——yeg, and what is more, I myself might get into trouble.” “Then what in the name of heaven do you mean ?”’ demanded Ramorino. “ There is evidently something in your mind. Tell me what itis! You | would not be here now unless you saw the possible means of driving a bargain !” | “To speak, my lord, in a business-like manner,” /replied Furlo, “it is only necessary for me to ob- | serve that if your Excellency were to send to me | —let us suppose in half-an-hour or an hour—and if your Excellency were to take me into some room within the walls of your mansion, and were to say ‘to me, ‘ Here are some pictures on which I desire to raise a loan of so much money,’—and if I | happen to have that sum of money about my per- son 4 “Eoough! enough! I understand you, Furle!” ejaculated the Minister of Police. ‘“ Which are the pictures you desire to hold as a security P” The miser drew forth a pencil and a pieco of paper; and after writing a few lines thereon, he presented the fragment to the Minister, saying, “Tf your Excellency ask me which I think the kalf-dosen best pictures in the Mirano mansion, I should say that they ara those which I have here specified,” “Good!” said Ramorino. * “ Will you have the kindness to call upon moe in the course of an hour 2” “"Tis very late, my lord—past twelve o’clock,”’ ‘ answered Furlo: “ but nevertheless, as a matter of | business 1 will obey your Excellency’s summons.” The miser quitted the house; and the very mo- | ment that the front gate closed behind him, Bamo- | rino summoned a confidential domestic, to whom he spoke in the following manner :— “Take some convenient vehicle, and proceed to the Mirano mansion. Ask fur the steward—and tell him tbat bis mistress has sent for the six pic- tures specified in this list. The steward will not hesitate to give you the pictures at once, as he knows you belong to my household, Bring the pictures bither si esti sens==-— book = co 5}