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Article THE COUNTESS AND THE SERF* ← Page 8 of 23 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Countess And The Serf*
Returning consciousness brought with it only an increase of suffering to the bereaved cousins ; who , as they sat locked in each other ' s arms , eagerly demanded the presence of Ivan ; but it was long ere he could obey the summons . Utterly exhausted alike by cold , fatigue , and anguish , the unhappy young man had himself required the cares of the friendly physicianand had
, only been aroused to fresh exertion by a knowledge of the count's precarious state . Then , however , he forgot his own sufferings in those of the helpless girls who were so soon to be left desolate , and hastened to their presence to mingle his tears with theirs , ancl to vow to them a life-long devotion . Towards midnight Zamoiski for the first time awoke from his
trance ; and as his eyes wandered anxiously round the chamber , he faintly uttered the names of Anna , Eudoxia , ancl Ivan . In a few moments they were all kneeling beside him ; ancl a powerful restorative having been administered to the sick man , he succeeded in raising himself in his bed , and in grasping the hand of his adopted son .
"Ivan , " he Avhispered hoarsely , "to you I confide my beloved children—be to them all , and more than I could have been—I know your secret—there is no distinction of birth and rank in the grave—I—you—Anna . " By a convulsive effort
he joined the hands of his daughter ancl his vassal , as the words trembled upon his lips ; ancl then , with a faint sigh , he fell back upon his pillow , ancl expired . There was . silence for a time in the death-room . Deep grief has no voice ; ancl here was grief indeed ! We will not dwell upon the dreary days that succeeded , or on the agony with
which the bereaved ones saw Zamoiski , the tender father , the generous friend , and the indulgent master , laid to rest in the vault of his ancestors . Enough that Time , that mysterious comforter , gradually brought back calm to then- hearts ; and that they began once more to look into a future , ivhich had , during the first idolence of their anguishappeared blotted out for ever .
, Throughout an entire year the cousins lived in absolute seclusion , refusing even to receive the Aisits of their most valued friends ; and during that dreary period the society and devotion of Ivan Avas all in all to them , although liis presence was at times a source of embarrassment to both . Anna had not failed to interpret the ding ivords of her father in accordance with
y her own secret wishes , nor did she hesitate to evince towards her foster-brother a marked preference , by which she believed that he must feel alike honoured and happy ; but still , although the earnest attentions of Ivan were unceasing to both cousins , he carefully avoided all exclusive demonstrations towards either , as VOL . I . s
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Countess And The Serf*
Returning consciousness brought with it only an increase of suffering to the bereaved cousins ; who , as they sat locked in each other ' s arms , eagerly demanded the presence of Ivan ; but it was long ere he could obey the summons . Utterly exhausted alike by cold , fatigue , and anguish , the unhappy young man had himself required the cares of the friendly physicianand had
, only been aroused to fresh exertion by a knowledge of the count's precarious state . Then , however , he forgot his own sufferings in those of the helpless girls who were so soon to be left desolate , and hastened to their presence to mingle his tears with theirs , ancl to vow to them a life-long devotion . Towards midnight Zamoiski for the first time awoke from his
trance ; and as his eyes wandered anxiously round the chamber , he faintly uttered the names of Anna , Eudoxia , ancl Ivan . In a few moments they were all kneeling beside him ; ancl a powerful restorative having been administered to the sick man , he succeeded in raising himself in his bed , and in grasping the hand of his adopted son .
"Ivan , " he Avhispered hoarsely , "to you I confide my beloved children—be to them all , and more than I could have been—I know your secret—there is no distinction of birth and rank in the grave—I—you—Anna . " By a convulsive effort
he joined the hands of his daughter ancl his vassal , as the words trembled upon his lips ; ancl then , with a faint sigh , he fell back upon his pillow , ancl expired . There was . silence for a time in the death-room . Deep grief has no voice ; ancl here was grief indeed ! We will not dwell upon the dreary days that succeeded , or on the agony with
which the bereaved ones saw Zamoiski , the tender father , the generous friend , and the indulgent master , laid to rest in the vault of his ancestors . Enough that Time , that mysterious comforter , gradually brought back calm to then- hearts ; and that they began once more to look into a future , ivhich had , during the first idolence of their anguishappeared blotted out for ever .
, Throughout an entire year the cousins lived in absolute seclusion , refusing even to receive the Aisits of their most valued friends ; and during that dreary period the society and devotion of Ivan Avas all in all to them , although liis presence was at times a source of embarrassment to both . Anna had not failed to interpret the ding ivords of her father in accordance with
y her own secret wishes , nor did she hesitate to evince towards her foster-brother a marked preference , by which she believed that he must feel alike honoured and happy ; but still , although the earnest attentions of Ivan were unceasing to both cousins , he carefully avoided all exclusive demonstrations towards either , as VOL . I . s