Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 281: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. » ~~ \ (4 Ome lew 14 ; } Ni Al THE PRINCESS SPARTIVENTO proved that there may be much devotedness and self-sacrifice in certain quarters; but it contained no argument to convince me that the objects to which you aspire are fraught with benefit to the masses of the Italian people.” “Enough of words!” ejaculated the Marquis. “Let your decision be quickly given, Signor De Vere! Will you join us? or will you suffer those penalties which, God knows, we would willingly avert if our oaths did not prevent us from show- ing such mercy !” Charles reflected for a few moments ; and then he said, “ Let me see the form of the oath which T may have to take.” No. 87.—AGNES. “ Behold!” said the Marquis; and he exhibited a written paper to our hero. Charles took the document and read the contents, which ran as follow :— “J, the undersigned, do hereby swear by every- thing most sacred, in heaven or on earth, ae well as by my hope of eternal life, that with heart and hand I sincerely and faithfully join the Society for the Regeneration of Italy ; and that I will devote all my resources, mental, physical, and pecuniary, to the welfare of Italy. I further swear that I will readily and meekly cbey the orders of my superiors without gainsaying or questioning them, —that I will maintain an inviolable secrecy with Vou, II. oO Comichdoo nn ©) 5}