Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 325: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OBR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE, 317 rr Le tnere: indeed he thought it more than probable that she might possibly have set off for England with the idea of rejoining him there. However, he felt that he was performing his duty towards his parent in seeking the readiest means with which he was acquainted of communicating with her. He next penned a letter to Agnes; and to her also did he reveal his good fortune,—adding that circumstances imperatively required him to remain in Italy for a few days, but that the mo- ment he again found himself the master of his own time and arrangements, he would proceed with ali possible haste to England to learn whether be was destined to experience the highest amount of human happiness or the extremest measure of despair. In neither letter did he mention a syl- lable relative to the startling and perilous adven- tures in which he had become involved: he re- served the narrative thereof for another occasion. This letter to Agnes, Do Vere trusted to the ordi- nary post; and he wrote a third letter—namely, to the British Ambassador at Naples, apologizing for his protracted absence from his post and at the same time resiguing the situation itself. CHAPTER LVI. THE SISTERS. Two elegant suites of apartments, facing each other in the same gallery, were appropiated re- spectively for the accommodation of the Princess and the Countess. The milliners of the adjacent town were speedily in attendance upon the ladies ; and they promised that the required dresses snould be supplied with the least possible delay. It was the same with the tailor who waited upon our hero; for the tradesmen of the neighbour- hood were naturally anxious to secure the pa- tronage and favour of the new possessor of the Camerino estate and of his cousins (as the two ladies were reported to be). Charles, having finished his letters, and given orders in respect to their means of conveyance, issued from the library where he had written them, and inquired for Signor Palmas, The worthy notary had however gone into the town, to settle certain formalities with some of the principal tenants on the estate, whom he had summoned to meet him there that they might receive oflicial no- tice in respect to the entrance of their new landlord into the possession of his domain so soon as the requisite legal ceremonies should have been ful- filled. On learning that Signor Palmas was not at the mansion, Charles proceeded to the drawing- room, where he expected to find the sisters ; for he felt that he must not neglect the courtesies which his position as a host rendered it necessary that he should observe towards them. The Princess only was in that apartment which Charles now entered ; and his first thought was to make an immediate retreat—for he shrank from the idea of finding himself alone with her High- ness. But as her eyes were at once thrown to- wards him, he felt that it would be an act of fla- grant rudeness to leave the room in such a man- ner ; and he accordingly advanced into it. The Princess rose up from her seat; and Charles was —_——$——— at once struck by the peculiarity of her looks. She was evidently much agitated: her eyes were vibrating like stars—the colour was coming and going in rapid transitions upon her cheeks—her bosom was heaving and falling as if with tho heart’s quick palpitations. “T am glad,” she said, “ that we at length have a moment alone together ! ! This state of existence is intolerable !” Our hero was so bewildered and amazed by the suddenness of this address that he could not answer a word. “You must tell me, my lord,” she continued, speaking quickly and in an agitated manner, *‘ whether you still hate and abhor me—or whe- ther you now experience more generous feelings ? For myself i had earnestly hoped that I should never again experience any affection save that which was centred in the cause that I had espoused. Indeed, I bad vowed that patriotism should be my only love, and my native land the only object of my sympathy! Rash vows! insane pledges! From the instant that I saw you, I felt that my firmness was shaken—that the masculine heroism with which I had sought to invest myself was after all an arofour that had left me vulnerable ! — and—and—to be brief—I love you, Charles !— my God, I love you more dearly than I can ex- plain! Now will you accept this love of mine ? or will you scorn it P” Our hero had started the instant he began to comprehend the sense of the patrician lady’s speech: then he made a gesture of impatience ; : and now he exclaimed, ‘ Enough, signora— enough! Such an overture ought not to come from your lips!” The countenance of the Princess became scarlet —for an instant her eyes flashed vivid fires; and then all in a moment her whole demeanour ex- pressed so much humiliation—it seemed to indi- cate a sense of such deep mortification — that Charles almost commiserated her. ‘“‘T know,” she said, in a low and tremulous voice, “that my conduct is most indiscreet and un- womanly — most derogatory also to the rank which I bear—aye, and terribly inconsistent with the character of a patriotic heroine which I so lately wore! But Ob! pardon me — have com- passion upon me!—let every allowance be made for me!—I am but a poor weak woman after all!” “Recall what you have said—forget that you have said it,” replied Charles,—‘ make up your mind to act towards me henceforth as if such words had never been spoken from your lips— and I on my part will forget what has now taken place or at least there shall be nothing in my future demeanour to remind you of the scene!” “You ask me an impossibility!” replied the Princess, with impassioned tone and accents. “Ob, bow can I help loving youP Handsome and chivalrous—elegant and accomplished a “Signcra! I entreat—I beg of you—nay, I must even command we “Command me not to love you?” ejaculated the Princess. ‘Ob, would that you had the power !—for if you mean to reject my love, you could not render me a greater service than by crushing it altogether at the very bottom cf my heart! But this you cannot du! Listen to me, mn ser n ae ee SaGO iin