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Article THE COUNTESS AND THE SERF* ← Page 11 of 23 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Countess And The Serf*
consequently decided on setting forth at daybreak . I shall be accompanied only by a few of my attendants , ancl Ivan has promised during my absence to superintend the other servants whom I shall leave with you . Farewell , then , ancl do not forget me , for be assured that no human heart beats with more earnest affection than my OAvn . "
As she ceased speaking , Eudoxia threAv herself upon the bosom of her cousin , ancl Avept aloud ; but the embrace of Anna AVas cold and constrained . So Aiolent an exhibition of emotion upon so slight an occasion as a temporary absence , appeared to her already prejudiced mind to be uncalled for and suspicious ; the blood rushed to her heart , and cm-died there . The meeting in
the garden recurred vividly to her memory ; ancl as she swept her hand across her throbbing brow , she felt convinced that she had penetrated the secret of her cousin ' s excessive agitation . Ivan and Eudoxia were about to fly together ; and this pretended summons to a distant death-bed ivas the first scene in the drama of deceit which they had concerted .
Overwhelmed by her own emotion , Eudoxia did not remark the shudder with ivhich her cousin released herself from her hold , nor the unnatural harshness of the accents in which she uttered her leave-taking . Her oivn heart ivas full to overflowing ; and as she left the apartment she thought only of the cheerless future which was about to open upon her .
When she found herself alone , Anna stood for an instant gazing vacantly before her , like one who is still under the oppression of a heavy dream ; and then , with a slow and measured step , she sought her own chamber , where she closeted herself with her woman .
" You are right , Catherine , " she said bitterly , as she turned towards a mirror , into ivhich she looked long and earnestly ; " her fatal beauty has wrecked all my happiness—and yet—" and she smiled a strange wild smile of mingled scorn and anguish— " surely the daughter of his lord was fair enough to mate with the serf Ivan . But this is idle—what I have to say
to you is soon told . You ivere not deceived when you told me that I was betrayed . My affection , and that of my father , is about to be repaid by the most foul ingratitude . I have been the dupe of two false hearts ; but it is not yet too late . Follow them , Catherine ; folloiv them like their shadow ; lose not an action nor a word ; discover their most hidden thoughtsif you
, would save me from madness . You shall have gold—freedomall that you can ask ; but save me from this worst ancl bitterest anguish . " In another moment her attendant had disappeared , while the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Countess And The Serf*
consequently decided on setting forth at daybreak . I shall be accompanied only by a few of my attendants , ancl Ivan has promised during my absence to superintend the other servants whom I shall leave with you . Farewell , then , ancl do not forget me , for be assured that no human heart beats with more earnest affection than my OAvn . "
As she ceased speaking , Eudoxia threAv herself upon the bosom of her cousin , ancl Avept aloud ; but the embrace of Anna AVas cold and constrained . So Aiolent an exhibition of emotion upon so slight an occasion as a temporary absence , appeared to her already prejudiced mind to be uncalled for and suspicious ; the blood rushed to her heart , and cm-died there . The meeting in
the garden recurred vividly to her memory ; ancl as she swept her hand across her throbbing brow , she felt convinced that she had penetrated the secret of her cousin ' s excessive agitation . Ivan and Eudoxia were about to fly together ; and this pretended summons to a distant death-bed ivas the first scene in the drama of deceit which they had concerted .
Overwhelmed by her own emotion , Eudoxia did not remark the shudder with ivhich her cousin released herself from her hold , nor the unnatural harshness of the accents in which she uttered her leave-taking . Her oivn heart ivas full to overflowing ; and as she left the apartment she thought only of the cheerless future which was about to open upon her .
When she found herself alone , Anna stood for an instant gazing vacantly before her , like one who is still under the oppression of a heavy dream ; and then , with a slow and measured step , she sought her own chamber , where she closeted herself with her woman .
" You are right , Catherine , " she said bitterly , as she turned towards a mirror , into ivhich she looked long and earnestly ; " her fatal beauty has wrecked all my happiness—and yet—" and she smiled a strange wild smile of mingled scorn and anguish— " surely the daughter of his lord was fair enough to mate with the serf Ivan . But this is idle—what I have to say
to you is soon told . You ivere not deceived when you told me that I was betrayed . My affection , and that of my father , is about to be repaid by the most foul ingratitude . I have been the dupe of two false hearts ; but it is not yet too late . Follow them , Catherine ; folloiv them like their shadow ; lose not an action nor a word ; discover their most hidden thoughtsif you
, would save me from madness . You shall have gold—freedomall that you can ask ; but save me from this worst ancl bitterest anguish . " In another moment her attendant had disappeared , while the