Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 54: what you’re looking at

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

| | certain matters which remain wrapped up in mys- tery—say, for argument’s sake, the assassination of that young page of your’s some months ago—they only continue unravelled because they are of too little importance to induce me to waste my own time or the funds of my department upon them.” It was with a growing uneasiness that Lu: erezia listened to this speech, as she half reclined in the arms of the Minister, who still had one arm clasping her waist. For an instant she darted a quick look up into his countenance, to ascertain if that allusion to the death of Giulio had any- thing pointed in it, or if it were a mere random observation : but there was naught in the expres- sion of the Count’s features to justify the appre- hension. Nevertheless, Lucrezia felt from this moment a vague sense—a sort of conscience- stricken idea—that she was, or at least might be, more in the power of that man than she had hitherto anticipated. ‘“‘ And now, wy dearest,” resumed the Minister, “ let us revert to the subject from which we have wandered away. The secret passage still exists and the entrance is where you have described it. Whither does it lead ?” “ The secret passage communicates direct,” re- turned Lucrezia, “ with the suite of apartments oc- cupied by Ciprina and her vile paramour. The door at the extremity is set in the wainscot of that room; and it opens inward—I mean that it opens into the passage itself; so that if any piece of fur- niture be standing against it inside the apartment, it can afford no opposition to the opening of the door and no permanent barrier to the entrance of any one. There is a secret spring, which on the inner side is communicated with by means of a brass knob; while on the other side—namely, that of the room itself—its precise position may be as- certained by reckoning the tenth from the bottom of the middle row of gilt nails which embellish the panellings of the wainscot.” < ‘¢ All this I bear in mind,” observed the Minister, “as completely as if I had known the secret as long as yourself. But now arises another point, My sbirri, whom I shall trust with the enterprise, may be enabled to distinguish Ciprina, because I shall afford them an eccurata description of your treacherous lady-friend. But how are they to recognise this paramuur of her’s?—for, as you may understand, I am supposing that by some accident the vile couple may have visitors. You had better give me a minute description of the paramour.” “Tt is unnecessary,” replied the Marchioness, who, for several reascns, did not wish to excite the suspicion that the individual was Edgar Marcellin, for fear lest Ramorino should become mistrustful on account of all these complications. ‘“‘ Believe me, it is altogether unnecessary! Ciprina and her paramour will be alone together. Of this there is no doubt.” “At least,” interjected Ramorino, “you had better tell me the man’s name.” “ Ah, his name!” said Lucrezia. I have seen so little of him I held him in such abhorrence But ab! I recollect! It is Bourdon. At least I think Ciprina so called him But doubtless he has a dozen different names to suit bis various purposes.” “Then the long and short of it is,” said 2 “ Lot me see? ee awe ee es AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASUER. mee ee eee ee ~~. Remorino, “I had ‘better not trouble myself with any names or personal descriptions at all. If you are sure that there will be only tine two birds in the cage at the time, and those the right ones, I will issue my orders accordingly.” “ Nay—I do not affirm that there will be only the two birds,” rejoined Lucrezia, “ because Ciprina might possibly have her favourite hand- roaiden Antonia with her on the occasion. There- fore you must be sure, my dear Count, to give your men the description of Ciprina,” “‘T comprehend,” ejaculated Ramorino. “The order shall be to this effect—to arrest the Signora Ciprina, and any man who at the time may be Sound in her company.” ‘§ Precisely so,’’ responded the Marchioness, her heart leaping with joy at the decision which had thus been arrived at, and at the prospect of be- holding Ciprina and Edgar Marcellin immured in a fortalice for the remainder of their days. —— CHAPTER IX. ANOTHER VISIT TO LA DOLFINA, WE must return to the very persons whose names we have mentioned at the conclusion of the pre- ceding chapter. The reader has seen that when Antonia announced to them the intention of the Marchioness to proceed to her villa in the Vale of Arno, Edgar Marcellin was at once,smitten with the suspicion that some new treachery was de- signed. He longed to get beyond the walls of that house of peril: he was perfectly convinced that Ciprina was dealing most faithfully as well as most kindly with him; but he dreaded lest sho — herself should be overreached or rendered power- less by the intrigues and machinations of the de- testable woman. Yet he still felt too weak to leare the apartment where he was being so tenderly ministered unto : he felt likewise that the instant when he should go forth from the Mirano mansion, he must adopt some prompt and decisive course—and he could not be blind to the fact that he was deficient in energy, alike physical and mental, for such a proceeding. Thus, as the hours passed onward during the day whereof we are writing— namely, that on which the Marchioness went to her villa—he yvrew feverish and excited. Hitherto he had been progressing favourably: indeed on the morning of this day he had risen from his bed—he had put on a dress- ing-gown —and for change of air and scene he had removed into the boudoir, or elegant sitting apartment belonging to the suite, Ciprina beheld with increasing pain and anxiety, as these hours elapsed, that Edgar was chafing at his con- finement—that he was irritating and exciting him- self. She knew that this was natural enough, under existing circumstances: but if was not the less to be deplored—and, if possible, must be pro- vented. As the reader may easily imagine, she said all kinds of things with the object of con- soling—she redoubled, if possible, her assiduities —her attentions grew more tender and delicate. Once—and oncs only—she ventured to inquire what bis future plans migat be—thereby alluding to the Marchioness: but she saw that the topics (e) boo (Q) <S a (€@)