Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

‘ ‘ 28 AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. allow him to form a conjecture as to the cause of his being there, with the young lady bending over him, was likewise perceived by herself. She has- tened to place a refreshing beverage to his lips: ‘he drank copiously ; and his eyes gradually as- sumed a still more intelligent expression as they were fixed upon her countenance. “Do you know me, Edgar?” she said in a gentle voice. ‘ Yes—I see that youdo! Iam Ciprina and you are safe here—no harm can befall you!” “ But where am I ?” he asked, in a very feeble voice. ‘ Toll me—is it possible that sf “© T know what you mean, Edgar,” Ciprina has- tened to respond, as she saw that he stopped and gasped for breath. ‘ You wish to know whether you are within the walls of the Mirano man- sion P” “ Yes—that is what I wish to know,” he said, still speaking murmuringly and faintly. «“ T must not deceive you———but you on your side must not excite yourself,’ answered Ciprina, ‘© You are beneath the roof of the Mirano mansion but you are in my suite of rooms—you are under my care—I have constituted myself your nurse—I have obtained medicaments for you from a skilful source—and I vow that no harm shall be- fall you! Ob, no! I will guard and protect you with all requisite vigilance !” “T believe you, Ciprina,” replied Edgar ; “ and I put my trust in you. I feel that I am helpless and powerless Iremember that the vile woman But perhaps I may give offence by speaking to you ¢hus P” ‘What! of a murderess?” said Ciprina, with @ mogt grave expression of countenance. “ Alas, alas! I know that she whom I was wont to love as a sister, hes done deeds which make the blood stagnate with horror—freeze it in my very veins . “Yes, deeds of horror!” murmured Edgar. * But tell me—how long have I been here P” * Some twelve hours,” answered Ciprina. “ It was between two and three in the morning when that wound was inflicted: it is now three in the afternoon.” ‘ Ah! heaven be thanked,” murmured Edgar, “that a longer period has not elapsed! When the mind is suddenly plunged into darkness, and when it wakes up again, there is the appalling dread that a long interval may have passed, though it seems to be but a moment of time which has gone by.” ‘Do not excite yourself by speecb,” said Ci- prina. “ You must remain quiet,” “ No—it is impossible!” answered Hagar Mar- cellin. ‘“ Ob, Ciprina! do you know we ‘Now, for heaven’s sake, be calm! be tran- quil !” interrupted the young lady, placing her hand upon Hdgar’s lips. “ I can guess what you mean! You have asense of deep wrongs—you have been most unjustly accused Hf “ Ah! thén you know it—and you acknowledge that it is so !” ejaculated Marcellin ; and his voice was becoming stronger—at least so it appeared ; though Ciprina dreaded lest dangerous reaction should presently ensue from this excitement. “ You are aware that i “JT know much—I suspect a great deal more,’’ said Ciprina, “ But really, really, Edgar, if you —— es — value your own safety Ah! do not excite yourself! I mean not your personal safety in re. spect to the law, for she would not dare accuse you publicly and openly! I mean therefore the safety of your life—your restoration to health v “You are very kind to me, Ciprina,” inter- rupted Marcellin; “and if I do recover,” he con- tinued, as he thought of Corinna, who was far away in another land,—“if I do recover, Ciprina, I shall never be enabled to testify my grati- tude 4 “Speak not thus, Edgar! I am not selfish in what I am doing for you,” said Ciprina. “Oh, do not suppose that I am utterly depraved, and that I am unconscious of the duties which fellow- creatures owe to one another! And now be silent —compose yourself to s:eep again v “It is impossible, Ciprina,” interrupted Mar- cellin, with perfect vehemence. ‘ There seems to be frenzy in my brain—a fire burning in my heart 2 “Oh, he will kill himself! he wili kill him- self by giving way to this excitement !” exclaimed Ciprina, wringing her hands, “For heaven’s sake, be calm !” : “T ought not thus to distress and afflict you, my kind good nurse,” said Marcellin; “ but you must make allowances for all that is agitating in my brain, Am I not beneath the same roof with @ murderess P—hbas she not endeavoured to take my life?—may she not still harbour assassin in- tents id “Believe me, Edgar, you are safe! I pledge my existence that you are safe!” said Ciprina vehemently “ With that assurance I must so far be satis- fied,” rejoined Edgar. “But you tell me it is growing late in the afternoon—and good heavens! Paoli will wonder what has become of me!” “Paoli?” said Ciprina, struck by the name; for she remembered it to be that which Giulio bore. ‘Paoli did you say? A relation _ “Tho father of the murdered youth,” responded Edgar. “Oh! what must he think? And per- haps by this time he has left Florence. Yes !—for the mandate of the police was peremptory vi “Js there anything I can do,” inquired Ciprina, “to tranquillize your mind on this point? I should not like to leave you even for a few minutes: but I have a trusty messenger ig “Yes—let me send the message! it is absc- lutely necessary!” said Edgar Marcellin. “I must let Signor Paoli know what has happened to me and wherefore I have failed to keep the appoint- ment which I gave him " “But if you let him know what has happened,” interjected Ciprina, “he will appeal to the police —he will create an exposure 2 “Ah! do not tell me that you are going to plead on behalf of that demoness in female shape !’” ejaculated Edgar: “ or else a “Or else you will think I am as vile and wicked as herself ?” said Ciprina, with a tone and look that were full of reproach. “This is not kind of you, Edgar! I may have my failings!— and I know that I have——yes, and grave ones too But Oh! no one can loathe more utterly than I the abhorrent crimes x ‘Forgive me, Ciprina,” said Marcellin, with a book onal a a a se (©) 33