Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 68: what you’re looking at

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

AGNES; OB, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. He therefore remained silent; and throwing himself back in his own corner of the chaise, he folded his arms across his breast, his head inclin- ing forward asif be were either giving way to his reflections or yielding to a sensation of drowsiness. By his side sat Ciprina, also plunged in silence. The reader will recollect that she had on a thick veil and an ample cloak at the moment she was arrested. The instant she regained her conscious- ness she felt assured that the veil had not been re- moved from her face ; and this was an immediate relief to her mind. But her meditations were still of a very painful character. She had no difficulty in surmising that the Marchioness of Mirano had suddenly stricken a grand blow, in the hope of crushing the perils which environed ker and en- suring the safety of her position. Ciprina like- wise thought it more than probable that the wrong person had been arrested as her companion, and that Charles De Vere was now in the place which it had been intended that Edgar Marcellin should occupy—unless indeed, on the other hand, it was actually purposed to deal thus with young De Vere and to adopt some offer course with refer- ence to Edgar. Ciprina knew not what to think upon these points; and the longer she reflected upon them the more bewildering did they become. At all events—however the matter might really stand—it was impossible that she could be other- wise than full of apprehension in reference to Marcellin. She remembered how she had left him wrapped in a profound sleep, under the in- fluence of La Dolfina’s soporific medicament ; and it was with excruciating feelings she thought within herself, “ When he awakes, he may be made to believe that I have abandoned hin, or that [ have been guilty of some foul treachery towards him ; for that vile Lucrezia is capable of teliing him any falsehood !” While Charles De Vere on the one hand re- mained plunged in profound silence—and while Ciprina on the other hand was becoming more and more entangled and bewildered by her painful re- flections—the postchaise continued its way. To Charles De Vere it was a matter of the completest indifference to study the route which the equipage was taking, because be was utterly unacquainted alike with Florence and its environs. As for Ci- prina, she had satisfied herself by a glance that she was igncrant of the way that was being pursued ; and therefore she had bestowed no further atten- tion on this point. As for the two sbirri, they were buried in a silence as profound as that in which their prisoners were now wrapped ; but their eyes were wide open, and not for a single instant did either of them seem inclined to suffer the keenness of vigilance to be subdued by any sensation of drowsiness. Our young hero was on his side maintaining a strict watch upon the men by whom he himself was 50 Closely watched. The officer kept his pistol in his hand: the weapon lay across his knees. Charles knew that it was cocked; and he had littie doubt that it was loaded. The officer had another pistol about his person; while his com- panion-sbirro possessed a carbine, which he held between his knees, with the muzzle pointing Then, 60 another escort: but I will remain tranquilly where I am and watch my opportunity.” straight up towards the roof of the chaise. too, there was another police-official, upon the box; and he was armed with a carbine and a sword. Did Charles De Vere contemplate any resistance against such fearful odds ?—or did he purpose to make any direct attack upon these well-armed men? In short, was he meditating how to secure his escape and that of his female companion ?—and was he settling in his mind the best means of carrying such a project into execu- tion? We shall see. Upwards of an hour had elapsed since the post- chaise had rolled out of the city of Florence, and a halt was now made for the purpose of changing horses. This was at a post-house which stood completely isolated by the roadside: there was no tavern attached—and the police-officials did not quit their seats. In a few minutes the post- chaise was continuing its way; and the moon, now bursting forth, showed Charles, as he glanced from the window, that the road was winding amidst eminences rising into a distant background of lofty heights; so that it now for the first time struck him that the route which was being pur- sued led into the midst of the Apennine moun- tains. He knew that the Tuscan Government maintained, amidst these wilds, two or three strong fortresses, to’ which political offenders were con- signed, and which likewise opened their gates to receive any individuals who might chance to be- come obnoxious to high and influential personages. A mind so sagacious as that of De Vere, was not therefore long in coming to some such conclusions as the following :— “My fellow-prisoner and myself have been assured that our lives are not in danger. It is therefore our liberties which are at stake. Impri- sonment is intended; and it 1s one of the Apen- nine fortresses to which we are being conducted. As well be enclosed in a sepulchre at once! Ab, my poor mother!—Ahb, dearest, dearest Agnes! But by heaven, this shall not be!” The beloved images which were thus suddenly conjured up in his mind, nerved him with an almost preterhuman fortitude, and with the strongest resolution to attempt the execution of a plan which he had been revolving in his mind. He indeed felt that his position was a desperate one; and he said to himself, “I must risk every- thing! It is doubtless that detestable woman, the Marchioness di Mirano, who has caused me and this unfortunate lady here, to be thus sud- denly arrested; and in order that her safety may be ensured, our imprisonment must be eternal! Oh! let me therefore risk everything,” he em- phatically repeated within his own mind, “ rather than once suffer the doors of a Tuscan dungeon to close upon me!” The chaise was still pursuing its way, and a profound silence reigned within, The moonlight penetrated into the interior, so that everything was plainly visible; and Charles had no fear of being able to measure his operations with the most perfect keenness and accuracy of vision. Presently he drew forth his kerchief; and, as if quite accidentally, be let it fall from his hand. He stooped quickly to pick it up: bis hand in- stantaneously caught the lock of the carbine which the subordinate sbirro held between his knees, the butt resting on the floor of the chaise. Allina moment there was an explosion: the carbine had 3 chook