Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 320: what you’re looking at

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

819 and the Countess up the marble steps, into the great hall,—where ten or a dozen domestics were now gathered to receive the visitors with every demonstration of the profoundest respect. Two ladies’-maids, of very comely appearance, stepped forward; and one said, “Perhaps, signoras, you would like to change your toilets after travelling, and before breakfast is served up P” The Princess and Countess accordingly quitted Charles, to accompany the maids up a grand mar- ble staircase; while a domestic in a plain suit of mourning, and having the appearance of a valet, accosted our hero, saying, “ Will it please your lordship to step this way P” “Surely I cannot be taken for any one else?” thought Charles: and then addressing himself to the valet, he said, “ You give me a title of nobility to which I have no right. But lead on.” The valet bowed, and conducted our hero up the grand staircase, into an elegantly furnished room, where two elderly gentlemen rose from a table at which they had been seated. The valet retired ; and the two gentlemen, advancing towards Charles, bowed with the profoundest respect. . ‘“‘ If I have to thank you, signors,” said Charles, “for the hospitality which is now being experi- enced by myself and the two ladies who accom- panied me, I can only assure you of our sincerest gratitude——” “Your lordship has naught to thank us for,” replied one of the elderly gentlemen. Charles started, for the voice was familiar to his esr. Another moment and he recollected where he had heard it! It was the day but one previous at Genoa—and the personage was Signor Pa) mas. - “ Again that title!” ejaculated De Vere. “Sig- nor,’ he continued, “this is the third time within the last five minutes that I have been addressed in a manner to which I have not the remotest claim. Tell me therefore, at once, is it possible that there can be any mistake?—for there is something savouring of oriental romance in the adventures which I am now experiencing. Tell me, once more—for whom do you take me P”’ “For whom could we take you,” responded the old gentleman, “but for that which you are,—the Lord Count of Camerino.” An ejaculation of amezement burst from the lips of our hero; and it appeared to him as if he were enveloped in the wild delusion of a dream. ‘Yes, my lord,’ added Signor Palmas; “ per- mit us in our legal capacity to welcome you as the sole heir of the late lamented Count of Came- rino.” Charles now understood it all! There could be no mistake—no delusion: he found himself suddenly endowed with rank and riches; and staggering as it were beneath the influence of the feelings which seized upon him, he sank gasping for breath, and with reeling brain, upon the sofa. CHAPTER LV. THE YOUNG COUNT. Sranorn Patmas hastened to fill a tumbler with water, which he presented to our young hero, who AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. having imbibed a portion thereof, felt himself re- freshed. “Tt is true, my lord,” continued the man of business, “that the title and estates of Camerino are now your's. At your lordship’s leisure you shall peruse the papers by virtue of which the be- quest was made by the deceased Count. The terms in which the documents are drawn up are most highly complimentary to your lordship. It would seem that the late lamented owner of this princely domain had many peculiar opportunities of judging of your character and disposition; and he was impressed with a sentiment of the utmost admiration for both. With his own hand has he traced the memorable words that ‘he felt proud at the idea of being succeeded in his titles and pos- sessions by such a noble-minded individual aa yourself.” Moreover, the late Count was sensible of certain deep obligations which he owed you; and thus gratitude mingled with admiration in dio- tating the bequest which has rendered your lord- ship the owner of the domain of Camerino.” ‘Tt appears to me like a dream!” said Charles, pressing his hand to his brow: ‘and yet indeed it must be a reality!” “It is areality, my icrd,” answered Signor Pal- mas: “and may you long live to enjoy the fruits of your good fortune. This gentleman is Signor Benvenuto, a notary of eminence residing in the town of Camerino; and I summoned him, in obe- dience to the requirements of the Tuscan law, to act as a witness while your lordship is regularly and formally invested with the title and estates of Camerino.” “ Yes, my lord,” said Signor Benvenuto; “TI have looked over all the deeds presented for my inspection by Signor Palmas; and everything is perfectly regular and formal. I will now endorse the deeds with the requisite testimony ; and there will be no farther need for my presence until the final registration shall take place some days hence before the civil authorities.” Benvenuto approached the table on which several documents were epread; and Charles draw-. said, “Was it not on this subject you were con- versing with the Marquis of Ortona at Genoa ?” “Yes—most assuredly, my lord,” replied Pal- mas. “ But you “4 “JT was in the adjoining room, and I could not help overhearing a part of your discourse.” “True, my lord! I recollect now !—the Mar- quis told me you were in an adjoining room, and that therefore I must speak with caution.” « Why was I not at once informed of this piece of good fortune?” inquired our hero, somewhat impatiently. “You are of course aware, my lord,” replied the notary, “that the late Count of Camerino en- trusted a sealed packet to the keeping of the Mar- quis of Ortona G “T know it,” said Charles. ‘It was I who de- livered it a year ago into the hands of the Mar- uis.” “ And the Marquis was instructed not to open it until the Count of Camerino’s death,” continued Palmas. “For security’s sake the Marquis left the packet in my hands, along with other papers of importance; and the other day he sent me a letter to the effect that the Count of Camerino was ee <SEIGO Comichboo nn) ing Signor Palmas aside into a windowerecess. iin