Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 58: what you’re looking at

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

eR rrr LLL LLL LL LLL —_——— - 50 confidence with which I have treated you. Be- sides, I know that I may trust you—there is some- thing in your looks—in your words “g “Yes, you may trust me!” exclaimed Ciprina, * And now % ‘**One word more,” proceeded the wise-woman. “You told me that you owed me your life—that the antidote I furnished saved you from the effects of the Marchioness of Mirano’s poison - “Ah! did I say that it was the Marchioness?” cried Ciprina. “You did not say it,” rejoined La Dolfina; “but I had no difficulty in forming the conjecture after the turn which the conversation took relative to her ladyship. Doubtless there has been love— there has been jeslousy—and the wounded young gentleman 4 “Oh, detain me no longer,” cried Ciprina; “but give me whatsoever medicaments you may deem requisite; and as your skill is great, I be- seech you to furnish me with whatsoever hints and suggestions for his treatment you may deem it advisable to offer from all that I have told you,” The wise-woman bade Ciprina remain where she was, while she passed into the adjacent room, closing the door behind her. In about ten mi- nutes siieg reappeared, carrying two phials and a smal}! Sox in her hand. “‘tieve,” she said, presenting one of the phials, “js a pexion which you must administer to your patient immediately on your return to the house. {t will produce a long and deep sleep: but when the slumber passes away, you will be enabled to judge of the good effects of the medicament. If to-morrow evening you find your patient at all restless and irritable—I mean, if any circum- stances should arise to counteract partially or materially the good effects of this potion—you roust administer the pill contained in this box ; and a balmy slumber will again ensue. This second phial contains my sovereign antidote, the efficacy of which you have already been enabled to appreciate,” Ciprina received the two phials and the pill- box, and secured them about her person. She then bestowed a further proof of her liberality upon the wise-woman; and she was about to take her departure, when recollecting something, she in- quired, “Has the Marchioness of Mirano been to you to complain that your poison was ineffectual, or to ask an explanation of its failure P” La Dolfina shook her head. ‘‘And if she were to come and demand some poison which could not possibly fail “Set your mind at ease,’ rejoined the woman. “Did I not tell you the other night that the antidote is efficacious against every possible poison that passes the portals of tho lips P” “ Hoough !” ejaculated Ciprina ; and bestowing upon the woman a good-natured grateful smile, slio took her departure. As she proceeded along the streets, she said to herself, ‘“ And thus I have discovered where the wretched Lucrezia purchased the poison with which she meant to take my life and that of Edgar !” On the other hand La Dolfina, while counting over the pieces of gold she had received from the young lady, chuckled and laughed as she said to herself, “ This is a good evening’s work! Yes— ese AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE, not only in respect to what I have now in my hand”’—and she chinked the gold—* but likewise in reference to what I may obtain from Lucrezia Mirano. Love—jealousy—and a wounded young gentleman! ‘Then, doubtless because the dagger had failed to do its work, recourse must be had to poison! The whole matter is as clear as possible! Yes, yes!—and if the Marchioness comes to me again, I shall know how to play my game with her. The pretty Ciprina revealed as much as it was important for me to know ; whereas I on the other hand cared nothing for revenling what I did in reference to myself in order to evoke her confi- dence and draw her out!” Meanwhile Ciprina was wending her way back to the Mirano mansion, which she re-entered without being observed by any one; and she ascended to her suite of apartments. Antonia was in the ante-room, keeping watch: but her services had not been required during the hour of Ciprina’s ab- sence. The young lady hastened to the invalid’s chamber ; and she found him impatient for her return—so that tho moment she made her appear- ance he spoke fretfully and petulantly, complaining that she had beon absent so long. Ciprina, with- out showing the least anger at the unjust and unkind accusation, replied with great sweetness, assuring Edgar that she had been detained by the wise-woman herself, and producing the potion which she had brought with her. The young Frenchman, perceiving that he had spoken harshly, threw his arms about Ciprina’s neck—drew her face down to his own—and imprinted kisses upon her lips. He then swallowed the potion which she administered ; and in a few minutes he sank off into a profound slumber. Ciprina watched for a long time by the side of his couch; and she was rejoiced to perceive with what tranquillity and serenity he slept. At length feeling assured that this slumber would last in its refreshing placidity throughout the night, Ciprina resolved to make preparations for retiring to her own couch, Assisted by Antonia, she examined the pieces of silken thread which were hung along the walls of the boudoir and the two bed-chambers, to assure herself that they were all in order, end that the bell hanging over the head of her bed would be rung by the slightest vibration of any of those threads, Antonia then made her own bed on the sofa which stood against the wainscot wali in the ante-room; and shortly afterwards the silence of sleep prevailed throughout that suite of apartments. The night passed without any disturbance ; and when Ciprina awoke in the morning and peeped into Edgar's chamber, she found that he was still slumbering serenely. She let him sleep on; and it was not until between ten and eleven in the fore- noon that he awoke. He was much refreshed— his spirits were improved—his temper had lost that irritability which it had on the previous day displayed: his eyes were brighter—and there was a slight colour upon his cheeks. But this was not the hectic hue of fever: it was a wholesome sign— his hands were cool—his lips were moist—and his tongue was no longer parched, “ Another night’s rest such as this,” exclaimed Ciprina, with accents and looks of delight, “ and you will be convalescent !” “ Yes—if the machinations of that vile woman,” book (C@) |