Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 294: what you’re looking at

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

already settled by which you are to convey the note to the authorities ?” “The plan is not settled more than this,” an- swered the spy,— that there will be some one lurking about the exterior of the premises, ready to receive any communication which I may haye to impart. For I knew enough of these secret So- cieties to be aware that it is even easier to get amongst them sometimes, than to get away from their midst just at the very moment when it would best suit one to retire, Therefore that precaution was taken.” “You mean that some one was stationed in the neighbourhood to await the chapter of acci- dents P” “ Precisely so,” rejoined the spy. “ He will be on the alert; for he knows not whether it may be a billet flung from a window—or a note sent by any other hand “ Well,” ejaculated De Vere, “and how do you calculate upon delivering your billet to this person ?P” “ The conclave will presently separate stealthily and by degrees—but all in pairs—that by diffe- rent routes and means they may make the best of their way to Genoa. But you will remain bere until the last moment ; and I, as your com- rade, shall continue with you. We shall depart together at midnight, when, according to the information I have received, a chaise is to be at the entrance of the palace to fetch you.” “ Am I to understand therefore,” said De Vere, “ that you could not now leave this place even if you desired it P” “ No—assuredly not—I am your pair, and must remain with you.” * Ah! now [ understand,” said our hero, “ to what calculations on your part I am indebted for your confidence and your promised assistance. You could not have very well carried on your plot without me; for if you had been paired with another, he would have blown out your brains at the slightest appearance of treachery.” ** We are rendering mutual services,” said Fos- sano. “ You are helping me in my views—and I shall assist you in the furtherance of your uwn.” “You have yet to inform me,” said our hero, “ how my escape is to be effected, and what is to be the result of your billet penned in cipher and forwarded to the authorities ?” “The chaise which conveys you and me,” re- plied Fossano, “will be stopped on the outskirts of the city—and it will be made to appear as if we were to be arrested; but we shall knock down the gendarmes and escape. You understand me?” “Pertectly,” rejoined our hero. “ But that can only be one of the anticipated results of the billet in cipher, The grand consequence, I presume, will be seen at Leghorn when the expeditionary vessel reaches that port?” “You have rightly guessed, signor,” answered Fossano. “All these madmen will be arrested, and a stop promptly put totheir insane projects.” “Ono question more have I to put,” said Charles ; “ and then I shall be satisfied. How do you purpose to obtain an opportunity of writing the billet which is to be despatched to the autho- rilies ?”’ “ There are writing materials both here and ia ne me —— eee ee ~ —_— LL Ey Set the guard-room,” rejoined Fossano ; “ and inas- much as not the slightest shadow of suspicion rests against me, it will not seem at all strange pre- sently if any one should find me penning a letter. You must understand, Signor De Vere,” continued the spy, “ that I obtained recommendations of the first class to the Marquis of Ortona, who has long been known as a conspirator , * And how did you obtain such letters of recom: mendation ?” inquired Charles. “From the president of a section in Tuscany,” was the response. “Ah! then, that president himself must have been a spy ?” said our hero. Fossano gave a knowing look—and then added, “Between you and me, signor, these conspiracies never can succeed, because by some means or another the various Governments of Italy always manage to introduce their spies into the midst of the plotters.” “No doubt of it,” said Charles: and then with an air of gratitude, he said, “I shall be infinitely indebted to you for emancipeting me from this awkward position, What right have I to be mixed up in foreign plots and conspiracies ?” “ Particularly in one with the objects of which you have no real sympathy !” interjected Fossano; “for I listened with attention to all the arguments which passed between yourself and the Marquis of Ortona when first you were introduced.” * Yes—and therefore it would be hard indeed to suffer for such a conspiracy,” said Charles. “ But Ah! by the bye, what kind of cipher do you use in such correspondence as this whereof you have been speaking? I, as something of a diplomatist, have a curiosity in ‘that respect,” Fossano explained his system of cipher-writing, which though exceedingly ingenious, was never- theless remarkably simple; and thus a very few words were sufficient to make Charles thoroughly comprehend it. The members of the conclave were now gra- dually taking their departure—every pair keeping together precisely as Fossano had explained the process to De Vere. The number of those who remained kept on diminishing—time was passing —and we should observe that quantities of refresh- ments were furnished in the guard-room for those who liked to partake of them. Charles and Fos sano proceeded thither, and in a few minutes the Countess di Milazzo made her appearance. “Signor De Vere,” she said, at once advancing to our hero and taking his hand, “I have heard from my sister how generousty and nobly you acted on our behalf with the police-agent. The eloquence of gratitude does not consist in many words, but in the few that are fervently spoken: and these wherein I convey my own deep sense of obligation come up from the very depths of my heart.” The Countess looked most exquisitely beautiful as she thus spoke; and Charles thought to him- self, “ Good heavens! that such a woman should endanger herself by conspiracies and stand & chance of perishing on the scaffold!” “Are the guests beginning to leave the saloons of her Highness ?” inquired “Fossano, who, as our hero’s double, so to speak—or his pair, in other parlance-—was bound to remain stauding close by his side while the lady was addressing him, nn} > - OPE he x " a Ve “ t * ‘reas (ee — Ena Cee ea na — pt . oss Pa 286 AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE, mie e 2 rr ey EE = © SS As ee ee Gs — (S@) COMMICLOOLK