Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 32: what you’re looking at

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

24 ~ AGNES; OB, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. the skeleton in that room was only one of the vulgar artifices by which La Dolfina sought to overawe those who came to consult her, that she might exercise all the greater amount of influence upon their feelings and thereby obtain propor- tionate hold upon their purses. As Ciprina en- tered farther into the room, the woman following with the light,—she perceived that it was fitted up to some extent like a laboratory, and that it had the usual decorations—if they may be so termed—which are to be seen in pictures repre- senting the studios of alchemists, astrologers, and conjurors of past times. There was a crocodile suspended to the ceiling: in addition to the skele- ton, there were several relics of humanity scat- tered about, such as skulls, and bones belonging to the arms or legs; while an array of glass bot- tles upon a shelf eontained some specimens of infant-monsters. The apartment was in other re- spects tolerably well furnished: at one extremity there was a table covered with a black cloth, on which lay a pack of cards, writing materials, some mathematical instruments, and three or four bulky volumes fastened with brazen clasps: the arm- ebair behind this table was likewise covered with black cloth; and Ciprina had no difficulty in com- prehending that this was the seat which the wise- woman occupied when consulted by her clients. But as the matter which had brought Ciprina thither was pressing, and she was in haste to ac- eomplish her purpose and take her departure, she said to La Dolfina, “ Perhaps there are certain forms and ceremonies which usually have to be fulfilled by those who come to consult you? I pray you that on the present occasion all these may be dispensed with,—I mean, however, with the exception of that one which is an indispensable preliminary to a better understanding between us.” Thus speaking, Ciprina placed five or six pieces of gold upon the table; and she saw that La Dol- fina’s eyes glistened at the liberality of the fee thus offered. . “You do indeed adopt, signora,”” said the wo- man, “‘a course which is at once calcalated to win my confidence and ensure my services. What can I do for you?” “ A young gentleman, in whom I am deeply in- terested,” answered Ciprins, “ has received a very severe wound 4 “ From what weapon ?” demanded La Dolfina. “From a dagger,” answered the young lady. “You do not require any particular details rela- tive to the origin of the quarrel in which the young gentleman sustained the injury: it is suffi- cient for you to know that it suits me to throw the veil of secrecy over an incident the exposure “f which would cause scandal and inconve- nience ~ “Enough, signora!” interrupted the woman. “Tell me, do you wish me to accompany you to see your patient, or to give you some medicament according to my own judgment P” “IT prefer that the latter course should be adopted,” answered Ciprina; and she then gave the woman a few descriptive details in reference to the aspect and situation of Edgar’s wound, the limited extent to which it had bled externally, and the lethargic state in which she had left him. “Tf the wound had been a mortal one,” ssid La Dolfina, who had listened with the utmost at- tention, “the young gentleman would have by this tine breathed his last. There is conse- quently every hope. I will give you a medicine which must be administered, and a balsam to be applied to the wound. Be seated, signora: in five minutes the preparations will be complete.” The woman lighted a lamp which stood upon the table; and taking the candle, she passed into an adjacent room, closing the door behind her. Ciprina did not sit down: she was too nervous and anxious to allow herself to rest. Not that she any longer paid the slightest regard tothe ghastly objects by which she was surrounded: but it was on Edgar Marcellin’s account that she was thus uneasy. He might perish during her absence :—or he might recover his senses, and in the impossibility of conjecturing why he was left alone, he might pull the bell until he alarmed the household. But La Dolfina did not keep Ciprina @ moment longer than she had requested her to wait, forin five minutes she reappeared from the adjacent room, with a phial and a small box in her band. “ Here is the potion—and here is the balsam,” she said. “So far as I am enabled to judge from what you have told me, signora, I entertain the hope that these medicaments will prove perfectly effective. But if it be necessary for you to come aud consult me again, remember that I am at your service at any moment either by day or by night. If you should wish me to visit your patient, I will do so under circumstances of the strictest secrecy. In short, signora, you may command me in all things.—And now one wora more !” ** Hasten, I beseech you!” exclaimed Ciprina; “for you may well conceive that I am full of anxiety and suspense.” * Ah, lady,” said La Dolfina, assuming a com- passionating air, but in reality surveying Ciprina’s countenance with an intense curiosity, as if thereby seeking to read more of the history of the busi- ness that had brought her thither; “it is a pity that one so young as you should already be ac- quainted with the troubles which too often attend upon affairs of gallantry and love ad “What mean you?” demanded Ciprina quickly. “You have some ulterior purpose—you are de- sirous to introduce something to which the words you have just spcken are a preface? Explain yourself——but be quick, I beseech you !” “JT was thinking, signora,” answered La Dol- fina, “ thgt one who 1s probably entering upon the troubled sea of that existence which /is led by so many ladies of beauty and wealth in this city—I mean an existence of joyousness and pleasure, of gallantry and intrigue—— Pardon me, signora—I intend no offence——” “Proceed,” said Ciprina impatiently. “A young lady thus situated,” continued Ls Dolfina, speaking more confidently as she became convinced that her random arrows had not hit very wide of the mark,—“‘a young lady thus situated should be prepared for every emergency. Beauty occasions envy: it wins hearts, and then produces jealousy. In short, signora, attractions suchas those which you possess may become a source of peril and danger to yourself, as well as to the fortunate ones on whom you may bestow oO (@ 6)(0)) nA) (c KS | co 4 - - 3