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Article THE COUNTESS AND THE SERF* ← Page 9 of 23 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Countess And The Serf*
though he feared or hesitated to advance a claim which might be disavowed . This excess of prudence did not fail , however , after a time , to wound the pride ancl weary the patience of the young heiress , ivho complained to her cousin , in a moment of irritation , of the coldness of their adopted brother , whom she regarded , as she frankly declared , in the light of her future husband , since such had been the will of the deceased count .
Poor Eudoxia , ivho had until this period unconsciously cherished a hope that the proud spirit of the wealthy and high-born heiress would lead her to reject the hand of one of her own vassals , and that thus she should be left free to bestow her own upon Ivan , was ill fitted to receive such a confidence ; butstruggling against her emotionshe drove back
, , the tears that sought to fall , ancl in trembling accents inquired if Anna were quite sure that she should not one clay regret the sacrifice which such an union must involve . The young countess bent her eyes earnestly upon the speaker ; and then in a tone which fell hard and harsh on the ears of her
companion , retorted by another question . "And you , Eudoxia , had my father joined your hand to that of Ivan , should you have deemed the sacrifice too great which was demanded of you ?" " I know not how to answer , " was the low reply ; " I am not the heiress of Zamoiski . "
" Were I the heiress of a kingdom , " said Anna resolutely , " I ivould gladly share my throne with Ivan , as I shall ere long share my wealth and rank ; nor have I forgotten that I must find my best recompense for the concession , in the knowledge that our union will have secured the freedom of my long-loved and adopted brother . "
" It will be indeed a glorious conviction , " murmured Eudoxia ; " and sufficient of itself to insure your happiness . Forgive me , my dear countess , if I doubted even for a moment the greatness of your nature . "
Thenceforward the whole bearing of Eudoxia became changed . While she yet hoped , she had avoided Ivan , and Avith true womanly delicacy sought to conceal the passion which had grown up within her heart ; but now , when she felt that all was over , and that she must in future regard him only as the husband of anothershe roused herself into greater cheerfulnessand
, , evinced a more marked interest in his tastes and avocations ; even resuming towards him the unembarrassed manner and affectionate regard of her earlier years . Ii-zitated and alarmed by the prolonged silence of Ivan , the Countess Anna observed , first with surprise , and ultimately with jealousy , this unexpected
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Countess And The Serf*
though he feared or hesitated to advance a claim which might be disavowed . This excess of prudence did not fail , however , after a time , to wound the pride ancl weary the patience of the young heiress , ivho complained to her cousin , in a moment of irritation , of the coldness of their adopted brother , whom she regarded , as she frankly declared , in the light of her future husband , since such had been the will of the deceased count .
Poor Eudoxia , ivho had until this period unconsciously cherished a hope that the proud spirit of the wealthy and high-born heiress would lead her to reject the hand of one of her own vassals , and that thus she should be left free to bestow her own upon Ivan , was ill fitted to receive such a confidence ; butstruggling against her emotionshe drove back
, , the tears that sought to fall , ancl in trembling accents inquired if Anna were quite sure that she should not one clay regret the sacrifice which such an union must involve . The young countess bent her eyes earnestly upon the speaker ; and then in a tone which fell hard and harsh on the ears of her
companion , retorted by another question . "And you , Eudoxia , had my father joined your hand to that of Ivan , should you have deemed the sacrifice too great which was demanded of you ?" " I know not how to answer , " was the low reply ; " I am not the heiress of Zamoiski . "
" Were I the heiress of a kingdom , " said Anna resolutely , " I ivould gladly share my throne with Ivan , as I shall ere long share my wealth and rank ; nor have I forgotten that I must find my best recompense for the concession , in the knowledge that our union will have secured the freedom of my long-loved and adopted brother . "
" It will be indeed a glorious conviction , " murmured Eudoxia ; " and sufficient of itself to insure your happiness . Forgive me , my dear countess , if I doubted even for a moment the greatness of your nature . "
Thenceforward the whole bearing of Eudoxia became changed . While she yet hoped , she had avoided Ivan , and Avith true womanly delicacy sought to conceal the passion which had grown up within her heart ; but now , when she felt that all was over , and that she must in future regard him only as the husband of anothershe roused herself into greater cheerfulnessand
, , evinced a more marked interest in his tastes and avocations ; even resuming towards him the unembarrassed manner and affectionate regard of her earlier years . Ii-zitated and alarmed by the prolonged silence of Ivan , the Countess Anna observed , first with surprise , and ultimately with jealousy , this unexpected