Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 52: what you’re looking at

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

‘ \ a. ee a a ae 44 AGNES; OR, BEAUTY ANP PLEASURE, the immurement took place may continue to exist !”” “And it is by such means,” said the Mar- chioness, quivering more and more with the agita- tion of a ferocious inward joy and with the excite- ment of a fierce triumph,—‘it is by such means that you would dispose of your enemies ?” “ Aye—and that I have disposed of them,” re- joined Ramorino, with a sinister chuckle. ‘* They have been heard of no more—and though in reality they continue to live, breathe, feel, and think, yet are they dead to the world, while the world itself is the same as if it were dead to them—and at all events they are utterly powerless to do me a mischief,” * Ob, I love you, Count—yes, I love you more and more,” cried the Marchioness, as if in a voice of exultation, “because you possess so glorious a spirit. Ah, if I had this power " “* Have you enemies, dearest Lucrezia P” in- quired Ramorino, straining her luxurious form more closely with one arm, while with the other hand he raised the red wine to his lips. “ Have I enemies ?” she said, as if not exactly comprehending his query—or at least asif for a moment hesitating how toanswer it. “ Alas, yes! —enemies who threaten me with exposure !—ene- mies who demand that I shall surrender up the great bulk of my wealth in order that my reputa- tion may be spared from being dragged into the mire of infamy !” ** Ab, this is abominable!” exclaimed Ramo- rino, a fierce light flashing from his black eyes. “But if you have these enemies, Lucrezia, you have also the power to punish them ys “TP” she ejaculated, as if with a sudden start. “To be sure! MHaveTI not told you that what- soever power I wield, is the same as if you your- self wielded it likewise ?” ** Ob, yes! I remember you said all this!” ex- claimed the Marchioness, ‘“ A thousand, thou- sand thanks !”—and she lavished upon him almost as many kisses as she was bestowing thanks. ‘Did you doubt my power or my willingness to serve you in this matter, Lucrezia ?” asked the Count. “ But no, no! you could not! And now these enemies of your’s “! “You know the Signora Ciprina P” “Of course!—she lives with you. Have I not seen her often and often? But you do not for a moment mean me to understand = “ Alas, alas!’ murmured Lucrezia, now speak- ing in a broken voice; “I mean you to under- stand everything that is bad, and vile, and deceit- ful, and wicked, in reference to that false ungrate- ful creature !” “Just heaven! is this possible?” exclaimed Ramorino, with perfect amazement depicted on his countenance. “I thought you were the best of friends—that you were like sisters—that the Sig- nora Ciprina was devoted to you—that you on your side were devoted to her “d ‘And until with the last few days,” interjected the Marchioness, ‘“‘I have been to her as a de- voted sister—though now, when too late, I find that it is a serpent whom I have bees cherishing to sting me!” “You surprise me!—nay, more, you afflict me!” said the Minister of Police. “I thought you were so happy together-———” “And so we were until lately,” rejoined the Marchioness: “ or rather, I should observe, it was I who felt happy in the delusion wherein I was cradled, to the effect that I had a sincere friend— aye, a veritable sister in Ciprina. But it is all otherwise !” “ How did this happen ? what has she done ? what is she doing ?” inquired the Count, Alas, my dearest friend,” responded Lucrezia, bending down her face upon his breast, “you know that my life has not been altogether pure and immaculate * “ You have enjoyed life—you are enjeying it!” interjected the Count. ‘‘And why should you not? Young and beautiful as you are— rich, accomplished, and elegant — courted by every- body ¥/ * Ah, well! it is kind of you,” interrupted the Marchioness,~to find excuses for my frailties. But Oh! for the future you only shall I love— yow only shall receive my favours!’ — and she again lavished caresses upon him. “And now picture to yourself the perfidy of that infamous Ciprina!—insinuating herself into my confidence —gaining a knowledge of all my secrets—sharing in my pleasures—and then—and then Oh, it is enough to break my heart!”—and the Marchio- ness now sobbed with a violence which was so admirably assumed that it completely deceived the Minister of Police, though ot all men in the world he was the least likely to be duped by any such outward show. ““T begin to understand, my poor Lucrezia,” he said. “This Ciprina of yours is, after all, some adventuress, no doubt ?” “ Alas, yes—it must be so!” exclaifned the Marchioness, now affecting a fierce indignation. ** Would you believe it—she who threatens to ex- pose me, is by her own conduct outraging all de- cenciesP She has got her paramour some worthless Frenchman—an escaped galley-slave, I believe " “Ah, by Jupiter! this grows more and more serious !’’ said the Minister of Police. ‘‘ Why did you not tell me everything at first? But go on, goon! Let me know all—and then we will de- cide upon the mode of action. She has got her paramour, you said - **'Yes—the wretch! She has got her paramour —this cut-throat ruffian of a Frenchman—living with her in my house—occupying her suite of apartments beneath my roof—to the utter scandal and degradation of—of: - “Tt is intolerable!” exclaimed Ramorino: “it is not to be borne! And this vile couple together dare to menace you?” “Yes—with complete exposure, unless I sur- render them up more than half my fortune. The shameless profligates! they care not for exposing themselves at the same time——” “ Enough, Lucrezia!” interrupted Ramorino: “you have told me sufficient to make me sympa- thize with you, my sweet friend, and also to afford me the opportunity which I so much desired of rendering you some service that should signally and unmistakably prove my devotion. Within four-and-twenty hours you shall be freed from the terrorism which those wretches have exercised over you!” “Ab, then, gratitude now commingles with the 5} a = aeecomichbooks.co