Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 302: what you’re looking at

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

LLL LL LL LLL LL LLL LLL LLL LLL ALLL AL A Tt tet, 294 Stefano Voitura kept close upon his heels; and when in the deep shade of tke trees, he re- peated the name—“ St. Didier.” “’Tis well,” said the man, from as “Ono who has well used his eyes and hie ears,” responded Voitura, “but who is unable to leave the place at this juncture.” “ What tidings have you? or is there a billet P” “A billet. I must deliver it into the hands of him for whom it is intended.” “?Tis well,” again said the man. ‘The Cap- tain left the Spartivento palace about half-an-hour ago. He was escorting a beautiful lady " “Where shall I find him P” inguired Voitura, “ He is sure to be at his own apartments in the royal palace,” answered the man; “ because he is most anxiously awaiting the result of the present proceedings.” “Then I will hasten thither.” Voitura sped away ; and in abuut a quarter of an hour he reached the royal palace. On inquiry, he learnt that Captain St. Didier had that very moment returned to his apartments, and had left word that whosoever might call upon him, no mat- ter at what bour of the night, should be admitted. In afew instants therefore Stefano found him- ‘self in the presence of the “#ndsome aide-de- camp, who having thrown off his uniform-coat, and put on a dressing-gown, was reclining upon the sofa, smoking a cigar. But on Voitura’s en- trance into the apartment, St. Didier yose from his seat, bowed, and indicated a chair: then re- puming his place on the sofa, he waited till his visitor should begin to explain his business. “You are expecting some one?” said Ste- fano. ‘‘ Perhaps,” said the aide-de-camp, guardedly. ‘TI have just parted from a certain person who is waiting about the entrance of the Spartivento palace.” “Well,” said St. Didier; “ and he told you to come to me?” * Yes—through the medium of a pass-word. Here,” proceeded Voitura, producing the billet, ‘“‘ig a confidential communication which I have for you.” The aide-de-camp took the letter without saying a word—opened it—and read its contents : having done which he looked up, remarking, “‘ You will give me a pass-word as a proof of your good faith.” Voitura looked him steadily in the face, and said—‘* Fossano.” ‘““- Yes—Fossano,”’ answered the aide-de-camp. “Tf you have any message or letter to convey to Fossano,” said Voitura, “I shall find the means of delivering it.” St. Didier reflected that his spy must have par- ticular motives for sending him a billet written in cipher, instead of a verbal message, by the present emissary; aud he therefore decided upon taking the cue which seemed to be thus given him. He accordingly took up his pen; afd in the same cipher as that which Fossano himself used, he wrote the ensuing lines :— “ You come “Your's is received; and as the means of com- munication are now open, you must let me know | OE. nee serene AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. as soon as possible what you are doing and what you mean by another clue. If you require funda, lot me know. The next time let the watch-word be the name of the individual who first recom- mended you to my notice.” “ Will you have the kindness to deliver this ?” said Captain St. Didier, as he handed the billet to Voitura. *‘ T will find the means of doing so,” answered this individual ; and without another word he took his departure. So soon as he was gone, Captain St. Didier penned the following letter to the Prefect of Police :— *“ Your Excellency may rest assured there is nothing wrong at the Spartivento palace; and you need oot have the premises watched for another moment. Indeed, it would be better to withdraw your spies at once, for fear lest a suspicion might be excited on the part of those ladies who have doubtless been unjustly regarded as the accome plices or agents in a conspiracy. “St. DIDIER.” Meanwhile Stefano Voitura was retracing his steps to the Spartivento palace; and immediately on his return, he made his way by the private staircase to the room where the hidden mechanism afforded the means of entrance into the subter- ranean. It was now therefore that the brethren pro- ceeded to the guard-room to conduct Charles De Vere back to the audience-hall. On entering the place, he found the Marquis of Ortona again in | the presidential seat. Fossano was brought in by three or four members of the Society who had been specially charged to take care of him; and there was a small group of other brethren stand: ing near the Marquis of Ortona’s chair. Qn first sweeping his glances around, our hero did not per- ceive either the Princess of Spartivento or the Countess of Milazzo: but on again looking to- wards the group, his regards suddenly became riveted on the two foremost. He started for an instant with amazement: those two were the Prinoess and the Countess, dressed in male ap- parel ! The former, being of tall stature and command- ing figure, looked admirably in the masculine rai- ment which she thus wore ; and being about six- and-twenty years of age, she had the air of a very handsome young man of oune-and-twenty. Her sister, the Countess, being shorter and of a slighter figure, looked like a mere stripling :— indeed q stranger would have taken her for a beau- tiful youth of about seventeen. Both the ladies wore hats ; and their hair was so arranged as not to reveal their sex. When they perceived that Charles De Vere noticed and recognised them, the Princess drew herself up with a somewhat haughty dignity, although she at the same time flung a meaning look of congratulation upon our hero: but the Countess blushed a vivid scarlet—and she at once carried her kerchief to her face to hide her confusion. For an instant however Charlos caught the half bashful, half exultant glance which ‘she flung upon him; aud thus the looks of the two sisters at once convinced him that he was safe. Stefano Voitura was leaning against the wall books.co 8