Free Penny Dreadful Multipack Vol. 1 (Illustrated. Annotated. 'Wagner The Wehr-Wolf,' 'Varney The Vampire,' 'The Mysteries of London Vol. 1' + Bonus Features) (Penny Dreadful Multipacks) by George W. M. Reynolds, James Malcolm Rymer Page A

garb of a page. That
disguise had been removed while I slept, and in its place were costly
vestments, which I donned with a pleasure that triumphed over the gloom of my
soul. In the course of the morning rich furniture was brought to the house, and
in a few hours the apartments allotted to me were converted, in my estimation,
into a little paradise. The count arrived soon afterward, and I now—pardon me
the neglect and ingratitude which my words confess—I now felt very happy. The
noble Andrea enjoined me to go abroad but seldom, and never without being
accompanied by Dame Margaretha; he also besought me not to appear to recognize
him should I chance to meet him in public at any time, nor to form
acquaintances; in a word, to live retired and secluded as possible, alike for
his sake and my own. I promised compliance with all he suggested, and he
declared in return that he would never cease to love me.”
    “Dwell not upon details, Agnes,”
said Wagner; “for, although I am deeply interested in your narrative, my
curiosity is strangely excited to learn the meaning of that terror which
overcame you ere now.”
    “I will confine myself to
material facts as much as possible,” returned Agnes. “Time glided rapidly
away;—months flew by, and with sorrow and shame must I confess that the
memories of the past, the memories of the bright, happy days of my innocence
intruded but little on the life which I led. For, though he was so much older
than I, yet I loved the Count of Riverola devotedly. Oh! Heaven knows how
devotedly! His conversation delighted, fascinated me; and he seemed to
experience a pleasure in imparting to me the extensive knowledge which he had
acquired. To me he unbent as, doubtless, to human being he never unbent before;
in my presence his sternness, his somber moods, his gloomy thoughts vanished.
It was evident that he had much preying upon his mind; and perhaps he loved me
thus fondly because—by some unaccountable whim or caprice, or strange
influence—he found solace in my society. The presents which he heaped upon me,
but which have been nearly all snatched from me, were of immense value; and
when I remonstrated with him on account of a liberality so useless to one whom
he allowed to want for nothing, he would reply, ‘But remember, Agnes, when I
shall be no more, riches will constitute your best friend, your safest
protection; for such is the order of things in this world.’ He generally spent
two hours with me every day, and frequently visited me again in the evening.
Thus did time pass; and at length I come to that incident which will explain
the terror I ere now experienced.”
    Agnes cast a hasty glance toward
the window, as if to assure herself that the object of her fears was no longer
there; and, satisfied on this head, she proceeded in the following manner:
    “It was about six months ago that
I repaired as usual on the Sabbath morning to mass, accompanied by Dame
Margaretha, when I found myself the object of some attention on the part of    a lady, who was kneeling at a
short distance from the place which I occupied in the church. The lady was
enveloped in a dark, thick veil, the ample folds of which concealed her
countenance, and meandered over her whole body’s splendidly symmetrical length
of limb in such a manner as to aid her rich attire in shaping, rather than
hiding, the contours of that matchless form. I was struck by her fine
proportions, which gave her, even in her kneeling attitude, a queen-like and
majestic air; and I longed to obtain a glimpse of her countenance—the more so
as I could perceive by her manner and the position of her head that from
beneath her dark veil her eyes were intently fixed upon myself. At length the scrutiny
to which I was thus subjected began to grow so irksome—nay, even alarming, that
I hurriedly drew down my own veil, which I had raised through respect for the
sacred altar whereat I was kneeling. Still I knew that the stranger lady was
gazing on