Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 370: what you’re looking at

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

nS nt 362 AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASUEE, - a ~ “ Besides,” added Raguso, “did he not kill our friend Columella ?” “It was only in self-defence,” urged Voitura. “JT beheld the transaction. Nothing could be more gallant—nothing could be more justifiable than the Englishman’s conduct !” “ By all the saints!” cried Raguso, “ this matter may be soon brought to an issue! Here we are, three of us. If two vote that the correspondence is to be given up in order to save De Vere’s life, in the name of heaven let it be done. But ‘if on the other hand there is a majority for keeping the correspondence to serve some better purpose, and perhaps some day save a worthier life—then let that be the decision. I for one yote in the latter sense.” * And I also!” ejaculated Spezzi. “Good! the thing is settled,” said Raguso; ‘and you, Voitura, like a good citizen and taithful brother, must abide by the decision. Spezzi and I are off to the D'Orco ruins at once.” —* Stefano Voitura was confounded by the de- cision thus arrived at on the part of his two com- panions. He did not dare dispute it; for it waa one of the fundamental laws of the Secret Society that wherever there were any difterences of opinion, the matter at issue should be left to the vote. Not only, therefore, did Voitura find bim- self compelled to yield to the decision thus ren- dered—but he dared not re-open the subject or plead any farther on the young Count of Came- rino’s bebalf; and thas he endeavoured to veil his bitter disappointment and grief beneath a look of calmness and self-possession. “Do you mean to come with us at once, Voitura?” asked Raguso: “or shall you join us presently ?” “1 shall join you presently,” was the response. “TI should like to remain at Sienna and learn what has transpired at the trial.” “That is politic enough,” interjected Raguso. “Now, friend Spezzi, let us at once make our pre- parations for departure.” Vouitura quitted bis two companions, and re- turned to the apartment of the Princess, who ex- pected to see him enter it with the tin case in bis hand. An expression of disappointment flitted over her countenance; as she said, “I suppose they have not returned yet P” ** Yes—tbhey have returned,” answered Voitura; “but. they will not consent to the salvation of De Vere’s life.” “This is abominable ! this is infamous !”’ ejacu- lated the Princess, “ Let me go to them ce “Tt is useless, signora,” interrupted Stefano. *Your Highness knows Raguso well: he is ob- stinate as a mule when be has formed a particular opinion. Then, as for Spezzi, he adheres with a marvellous tenacity to all the rules of the Secret Society, and he maintains them with.the most scrupulous jealousy. Well then, the matter has just been decided by the vote; and your Highness may therefore guess what chance there is of the decision being revuked or altered.” The Princess threw herseif upon a seat; and for some minutes she reflected with a painfulness and a poignancy of feeling which wrs only tov Visiple upon ber countenance. Voitura also gave way to his meditations; and they were almost as distracting as those of Bianca herself. > ‘signor “If we do not save this young man,” exclaimed the Princess, suddenly starting up from her seat, * we shall be murderers, and doubly accused |” “ Wretched woman!” said Voitura, in a menacing voice; “it is you who have implicated me in this atrocity, against which my soul revults! I would sooner give my own head to the execu- tioner, or stand up before an array of musketeers, than that a hair of the young man’s head should be injured !” * For heaven’s sake, do not upbraid me, !” gaid the Princess entreatingly. ‘‘ God knows I am already miserable enough? What is to be done? Oh, I thought from your billet that your were sure of being enabled to save him— and therefore, as I left the tribunal, i hastily whispered the words, ‘ There ¢s hope,’ in bis ears. —What will he think when be finda this hope unfulfilled ? that I have carried my cruelty to the most exquisite degree of refinement—that I am bis bitterest enemy—and that my endeavour to speak on bis behalf in the presence of his judge, wasa ere pretext—an evasion—a subterfuge of some kind or another!” “IT know not what is to be done,” said Voitura with a bewildered air: “ but by all the saints in the calendar, | swear that I wil! not desert this young Englishman so long as there shall bea chance cf saving him! {[ will go and ascertain, if possible, when the sentence is to be executed ——” “T heard General Germini proclaim, ere I left the court,” said the Princess, “that the execution of the*sentence will not take place until to-morrow at daybreak.” * Ah, then we have yet many hours before us!” exclaimed Voitura, the light of hope animating his countenance, “ I will go and survey the prison in which he is confined I will see if by any good chance there should be a member of the Society amongst the gaolers, the suldiers, or the sbirri who may bave him in their custody In a word, | will leave no stone unturned that may possibly lead to the result which is now so much to be desired !” Voitura quitted the room; and the Princess re- mained alone—or rather, we may say, in the com- panionship of her painful reflections, Thus up- wards of an hour passed, at the expiration of | which interval the door opened, and the Countess di Milazzo entered the apartment. - CHAPTER LXIV. THE CONVENT.—THE RUINS. THE Princess started up from her seat, exclaiming, “Lucia! is it possible? Ob, you bave not re- nounced me altogether! You have still some love left for your unhappy sister !” “T cannot forget that you are my sister!” re- plied the Countess, as she opened her arms to receive the Princess, who precipitated herself into them. ‘ Ab, weep, Bianca! weep! —for you have indeed done an immensity of evil!” “© God! I know it, Lucia! 1 know it!” groaned the unhappy woman: “but I am penitent ! Never was remorse go sincere !” “I knew, sister—yes, L knew it!” reptied the ye . * f 3 3