Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 292: what you’re looking at

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

284 AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURR. Vere. “ Yes, I thought so when you were just now holding the sword above my head! But in reference to past incidents, I cherish no ill-will to- wards you if you harbour none towards me.” “For whatsoever offence I gave you at the time, signor,” answered the man, “ i was well punished :” —and he pointed to his mouth. ‘“ Therefore, as everything is all square between us, and we find ourselves thrown together in this place, and under these peculiar circumstances, we ought to be good friends,” ** T repeat,” said De Vere, “there is no rancour on my part:—therefore let us speak in all frank- ness and good humour, as if there had been naught unpleasant in our past acquaintance. What is your name?” ** Fossano,” replied the man, “ at your service.” ‘And how on earth came you to be mixed up in these affairs,” pursued De Vere,— you whose avocation might rather be supposed to consist in the detection of piots than complicity in them P” “Well, it might seem singular to you, signor —being a foreigner and a atranger as you are——” At this moment the door opened; and another armed man entered the guard-room, saying, “ You may get yourselves in readiness, my friends; for in a very few minutes the president will want mem- bers to pair off in the usual manner.” Ah!” said Fossano, in a low tone: “ matters are approaching a crisis!” “ What do you mean P” inquired Charles. “T mean that you will presently find yourself so deeply compromised, that with‘all your inten- tions of ultimate escape when you arrive at Leghorna—which intentions I know that you har- bour—you will find yourself so inextricably in- volved in the tangled meshes, that it will be im- possible for you to dissever your fortunes from the desperate fates of the rest.” The man spoke in so lowa tone and with so much studied precaution, that his words reached no ears besides those of Charles, who gazed upon him attentively as he spoke. “What meant that person who has just now entered,” he asked, “by observing that the presi- dent would shortly compel the whole party to pair off P” “‘T will tell you,” said Fossano. ‘Do you hap- pen to know that it is one peculiar feature of the system pursued at the galleys and in the convict depots, to chain the galley-slaves in pairs—two and two together—so that no individual shall be capable of isolated or separate action? Thus every one drags about with him a person who is like his shadow—who by necessity becomes aware of all his actions—and from whom it is scarcely possible even to conceal his secret thoughts. Well, experience has shown that this process of indis- criminately throwing a mass of human beings into pairs—chaining them two and two together —establishes countless guarantees for the security and safety of the whole multitude. You might think that every individual would find in his com- panion a ready accomplice in whatsoever designs he himself might concert or harbour: buf it is not so. Instead of accomplices, nine-tenths become epies.”” “T can understand how all this is entirely pos- wble—nay, even probable,” responded De Veres ; “but I scarcely see how you mean what you have said to become an illustration of existing circum- stances,” “Surely you must have seen how ramified are the precautions which the members of this Society take to ensure the fidelity and good faith of those who join them P” “Ah!” ejaculated De Vere. “And is it pos- sible that the principle which works so well amongst galley-slaves, is applied to an assemblage of persons calling themselves honourable patriots P” “Yes, the principle is so applied:” and there was a peculiar sneer upon Fossano’s lip, at the same time that from beneath his eyebrows he scrutinized our hero’s countenance. An expression of disgust appeared upon Charles’s handsome features, as he mused upon the intelli- gence he had just received. ° “TS must indeed be galling to a young gentle- man euch as you are,” continued Fossano, “to be placed in such a position. But I will help you to escape from tho whole affair—and that right speedily.” “Ah!” said Charles, assuming an aspect of mingled gratitude and interest. ‘Is this pos- sible ?” “ Hush! talk not soloud! In such a place as this the walls have ears! When we go into the hall where the conclave is assembled, do you keep close by my side—but not as if it were with any settled purpose—and we shall thus be paired.” “ Before I promise to do so,” said Charles, “let me learn a little of your hopes and prospects— ay, and of your intentions also. If you mean to aid me in escaping, you must mean to escape yourself ?” “Such is my intention,” replied Fossano. “ But no matter what my motive may be. Let it euffice for you to have the assurance that instead of wait- ing till you reach Leghorn to leave the band, you shall perhaps be enabled to separate from it this very night.” | *‘ But there is the oath ?” said De Vere. “Ah, the oath!” observed Fossano, with a scornful smile. “Did it not stipulate that you would not of your own free will and accord, sever yourself from the ranks of the society ? But asa matter of course it made allowance for forcible circumstances against which you might vainly strugele. Well, what if those circumstances arise—there will be no violation of the oath on your part-——” “True!” said our hero. “But on the other hand, if these circumstances be brought about by any treacherous proceeding, dealing, or conni- vance on my part “Ask me no further questions,” interrupted Fossano ; “ seek not to penetrate any deeper into my views—and you will not be afterwards troubled with any scruples of conscience.” Charles was nevertheless about to put some ad- ditional queries, when the door of the guard-room again opened; and another armed man made bis appearance, saying, “ Brethren, the president de- mands your attendance in the hall.” Fossano bent a rapid look of significancy upon De Vere, who replied by a similar glance of mean- ing ; and he walked by that man’s side from the guard-room. On reaching the hall where the meeting was held, Charies found that all the per- ——— (e(o) boo im KS (E©) |