Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 319: what you’re looking at

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

—— all OT rr AGNES; OF, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE, —- -———----- oll --—---—----— - —-- = — — —_ cobble up the chaise to enable it to pursue its ( was to drive? had the word been passed on from journey—and that there was consequently no | one postilion to another at every fresh relay ? Our alternative but to wait at the inn. It scarcely deserved the name of en inn, for it was nothing more than a wretched public-house, and there was only one decent bedchamber to be disposed of. This was of course allotted to the two ladies, who were advised by Charles to take a little rest during tho few hours that must inevi- tably elapse ere the journey could be resumed. Ho himself anxiously awaited the return of the blacksmith: but it was not until eleven o’clock that this individual made his appearance. He then reported, in the first instance, that it would take him at least four-and-twenty hours to mend the chaise—that he could not possibly do it in less —and that he defied all the smiths in Italy to do the work one minute under the time which he had specified. ‘Very well,” said Charles coully: “then you'll be so good as to give me an estimate of the cost before you commence.” The blacksmith named a sum that was tolerably exorbitant; but to his surprise the young English- man drew forth a couple of gold pieces—which were four times as much as he had asked; and placing them on the table, our hero said, “ Just think the matter over again. Is it not possible to do the work in a couple of hours if I give you these two coins P” A greedy satisfaction overspread the black- smith’s countenance, as he said, “ Well, signor, T can’t say what I might be able to do if I was vo work very hard---—harder than I ever worked before !” ‘Of course you do not know what you can do till you try. Now set to work; and if you care about having these two pieces of gold, mind that you have finished within the time I have named.” Charles lay down to rest upon three chairs, which were arranged with a blanket for his ac- ecommodation in the public room of the inn; and sleep stole over him. He awoke precisely at one o’clock, being the expiration of the two.hours ac- corded to the smith: but on proceeding to inspect the works, he found that comparatively small pro- gress had been made. It hac been necessary to invoke the aid of a carpenter; and the only sourneyman of the craft in the hamlet had gone to bed drunk; so that it was difficult to wake him up again, and when he was roused he was not fit for much. The consequence was that our hero had to exercise his patience until past three o’clock in the morning. At length the work was done; anc if was four o’clock when tho ladies being sum- moned from their room, the travellers resumed their seats in the vehicle and the journey was con- tinued. Asciano was reached io about a couple of hours; and now—as the morning was dawning, bright and beautiful in that Italian clime, althouch it was the first day of December—the equipage was rolling slong the road towards the town of Came- zino. Charles was full of suspense to know for what purpose he and the ladies had been directed to come to that place—whom they were to meet thore—and what incidents were to follow. Was it already arranged that the chaise was to put up | hero had some reason to think so; for there had been a certain significancy in the look of all these | postilions as they successively received the liberal gratuities which he gave them. At length our hero calculated that the six miles from Asciano to Camerino must be very nearly ao- complished ; and he looked forth from the window to see whether he could cateh a glimpse of the buildings of the town which was last-named iu the itinerary. But at that moment ho heard an iron gate swing open; and the chaise turned into an enclosure resembling an English park, except that there were no deer frolicking about, At tho same time, a porter, who had come forth from a lodge to open that gate, made a very respectful bow as the chaise swept past. From the window might now be seen the houses and church spire of the little town of Camerino at a distance of about @ quarter of a mile: but it was evident that the chaise was not proceeding towards that place. In a few minutes the equipage drew up at the en. trance of an immense mansion, of grand and im- posing appearance, and with numerous outhouses built in a picturesque style. The marble steps— the vast folding doors—the heavy draperies with gold fringes that might be discerned through the windows—in short, everything which now met the view of the travellers, convinced them that it was a species of rural palace to which they had been brought. Charles sprang forth from the chaise, and de- manded of the postilion, “ Are we to stop here?” “‘T suppose so, signor,” was the reply. “You were doubtless told to bring us hithor?” asked Charles. ““The word was passed to mo, signor, by the postilion whom I relieved at Asciano.” ** And what place is this? ” inquired Charles. “It belonged to a great nobleman who died the other day.” ; * Ah! you mean the Count of Camerino?” The postilion replied in the affirmative; and Charles, wondering more and more why he shouid have been directed to come thither, hastened up the marble steps of the front entrance, where a lacquey in a handsome livery, bearing the usual Italian insignia of mourning, had just made his appearance. “Tam told that we were expected here?” said our hero. “A gentleman is expected here,” answered the footman, in the most respectful manner. “ Would you favour me with your name? ” De Vere produced his car’; and the instant the footman read the name upox it, ho made a still lower obeisance than before,—saying, “‘ Be pleased to walk io, my lord.” * You mistake Y of patrician riuk.” The toot.uau again bowed ~—but said not another syllable. Charles hastened to the chaise and assisted the Princess and the Countess to alizht,—at the same time observing, “ All this is very strange !—but £ suppose we shall presently learn for what purpose we have been brought hither.” He gave the postilion a liboral gratuity; and cried our hero. “Iam pot in Camerino? did the postilion know whither he | the chaise drove away. He conducted tho Princess Comichdoo i SCO