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Article THE COUNTESS AND THE SERF* ← Page 14 of 23 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Countess And The Serf*
ivhom I command immediately to deliver up to me the casket placed in your hands by my cousin . " "Anna—my dear Anna "—expostulated her astonished listener ; " what can be the meaning of this emotion—this violence ? Have you forgotten that we are surrounded by servants who can overhear your words ? Let us withdraw into the castle , I entreat
of you , where you can more fitly inform me of the subject of your anger . " " I have nothing to conceal , sir , " was the retort of the countess ; " nor do I see cause to inconvenience myself for my own menials . Once more I desire that you will give me the casket —I command it—and you Avill disobey me at your peril . "
" You hai'e adopted a singular mode of persuasion , madam , " replied the young man ; " and one which Avould of itself haA r e prevented my compliance , even had I not bound myself by an oath to retain the casket in my OAVU possession . " "You refuse , then ?" " Have I not told you that my word is pledged ?"
" Ivan Ivanowitch 1 " exclaimed the infuriated girl , Avhose suspicions were strengthened by this resolute opposition , and ivhose passion had at length totally overmastered her reason ; " Ivan Ivanowitch , you are a traitor— -you have repaid trust by perfidy , and generosity by wrong ; you have forgotten that you are a slave . "
" A slave ! " shouted the unhappy youth , as he sprang closer to her side ; " a slave , Anna ! ivhat words are these ? The favour of your dead father has made me your equal . " Loud ancl bitter was the laugh of the excited countess . " You ! " she exclaimed vehemently , " You the equal of Zamoiski's daughter ? What madness is this ? I repeat it , you are a slave
—my slave . Ah ! you had forgotten this AAdren you so recklessly braved my displeasure . Recall it now to your recollection . Can you show me any document to prove that you are a free man ? You are a serf , Ivan Ivanowitch—a rebellious serf , who dares to dispute the will of his mistress , and as such shall you suffer for your crime . Seize him ! " she continued to the servants , who ,
bewildered by what was passing before them , stood trembling ancl motionless ; " tear from him the casket which he carries in his bosom , and give him a hundred stripes for his disobedience . He AVIIO brings me the casket , and inflicts the punishment , shall receive twenty ducats of gold . " A moment of hesitation followed , but no more . In our free and happy country it is difficult , almost impossible , to comprehend- the degree of passive obedience to ivhich the peasantry of
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Countess And The Serf*
ivhom I command immediately to deliver up to me the casket placed in your hands by my cousin . " "Anna—my dear Anna "—expostulated her astonished listener ; " what can be the meaning of this emotion—this violence ? Have you forgotten that we are surrounded by servants who can overhear your words ? Let us withdraw into the castle , I entreat
of you , where you can more fitly inform me of the subject of your anger . " " I have nothing to conceal , sir , " was the retort of the countess ; " nor do I see cause to inconvenience myself for my own menials . Once more I desire that you will give me the casket —I command it—and you Avill disobey me at your peril . "
" You hai'e adopted a singular mode of persuasion , madam , " replied the young man ; " and one which Avould of itself haA r e prevented my compliance , even had I not bound myself by an oath to retain the casket in my OAVU possession . " "You refuse , then ?" " Have I not told you that my word is pledged ?"
" Ivan Ivanowitch 1 " exclaimed the infuriated girl , Avhose suspicions were strengthened by this resolute opposition , and ivhose passion had at length totally overmastered her reason ; " Ivan Ivanowitch , you are a traitor— -you have repaid trust by perfidy , and generosity by wrong ; you have forgotten that you are a slave . "
" A slave ! " shouted the unhappy youth , as he sprang closer to her side ; " a slave , Anna ! ivhat words are these ? The favour of your dead father has made me your equal . " Loud ancl bitter was the laugh of the excited countess . " You ! " she exclaimed vehemently , " You the equal of Zamoiski's daughter ? What madness is this ? I repeat it , you are a slave
—my slave . Ah ! you had forgotten this AAdren you so recklessly braved my displeasure . Recall it now to your recollection . Can you show me any document to prove that you are a free man ? You are a serf , Ivan Ivanowitch—a rebellious serf , who dares to dispute the will of his mistress , and as such shall you suffer for your crime . Seize him ! " she continued to the servants , who ,
bewildered by what was passing before them , stood trembling ancl motionless ; " tear from him the casket which he carries in his bosom , and give him a hundred stripes for his disobedience . He AVIIO brings me the casket , and inflicts the punishment , shall receive twenty ducats of gold . " A moment of hesitation followed , but no more . In our free and happy country it is difficult , almost impossible , to comprehend- the degree of passive obedience to ivhich the peasantry of