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Article THE COUNTESS AND THE SERF* ← Page 15 of 23 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Countess And The Serf*
Russia ancl Poland had been reduced by their feudal tyrants ; and thus , although the former favour and authority enjoyed by the wretched Ivan paralyzed the movements of the menials for an instant , they no sooner met the proud and menacing eyes of their suzerain lady than they prepared to execute her orders . It is probable , moreover , that there were some among them who
could not contemplate without a cruel satisfaction the degradation of one who , from their equal , had become their master ; while others were eager to obtain the promised reward ; suffice it that the unresisting young man was seized by the rude hands of those who but an hour previously had been the unquestioning agents of his will ; ancl that ere long , having been deprived of
the cherished casket , Ivan Ivanowitch stood before his fellowserfs a degraded man who had writhed beneath the whip . He uttered no expostulation ; no complaint . His cheek ivas deadly pale , ancl his head bent upon his breast , as though he shrank beneath the light of heaven ; and thus he passed " from the court into the castle , and escaped from the gaze of his tormentors .
Ancl the countess had also retired to her apartment as she heard the heavy fall of the lash . Tottering like one attacked by sudden palsy , she had fallen on her knees before a portrait of her father , as if , now that the tempest of passion had spent itself , to ask pardon for her cruelty . Years long passed rose up before her . She remembered how in infancy the fond ancl
fearless boy , her father's adopted son , her OAATI foster-brother , had been alike her playmate ancl her brother . She remembered hoiv in youth the graceful ancl gallant scholar , escaped from the restraints of college life , and restored to the affections of his patron , had directed her studies , and formed her tastes ; and she trembled as she knelt , and covered her eyes with her hands as if
to shut out the frown , which in the agitation of the moment , she dreaded to see darken the benignant countenance upon the canvas . But then came other memories ; the beauty of her cousin rose up before her ; old jealousies revived ; and springing to her feet in the eager hope of finding her justification in the coi ^ eted casket , she breathlessly wrenched it open .
Greatly had she sinned , but' in a few brief moments , Ivanhim whom she had so fondly loved , ancl so foully outraged—was revenged ; and as she sat with the contents of the box scattered about her , her eyes distended , and her lips apart , as though they had severed in the attempt to emit a scream which found no utterance , she presented the very picture of heartstruck despair . The first objects which had fallen into her hands were her own portrait suspended by a chain of hair whicli she had herself
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Countess And The Serf*
Russia ancl Poland had been reduced by their feudal tyrants ; and thus , although the former favour and authority enjoyed by the wretched Ivan paralyzed the movements of the menials for an instant , they no sooner met the proud and menacing eyes of their suzerain lady than they prepared to execute her orders . It is probable , moreover , that there were some among them who
could not contemplate without a cruel satisfaction the degradation of one who , from their equal , had become their master ; while others were eager to obtain the promised reward ; suffice it that the unresisting young man was seized by the rude hands of those who but an hour previously had been the unquestioning agents of his will ; ancl that ere long , having been deprived of
the cherished casket , Ivan Ivanowitch stood before his fellowserfs a degraded man who had writhed beneath the whip . He uttered no expostulation ; no complaint . His cheek ivas deadly pale , ancl his head bent upon his breast , as though he shrank beneath the light of heaven ; and thus he passed " from the court into the castle , and escaped from the gaze of his tormentors .
Ancl the countess had also retired to her apartment as she heard the heavy fall of the lash . Tottering like one attacked by sudden palsy , she had fallen on her knees before a portrait of her father , as if , now that the tempest of passion had spent itself , to ask pardon for her cruelty . Years long passed rose up before her . She remembered how in infancy the fond ancl
fearless boy , her father's adopted son , her OAATI foster-brother , had been alike her playmate ancl her brother . She remembered hoiv in youth the graceful ancl gallant scholar , escaped from the restraints of college life , and restored to the affections of his patron , had directed her studies , and formed her tastes ; and she trembled as she knelt , and covered her eyes with her hands as if
to shut out the frown , which in the agitation of the moment , she dreaded to see darken the benignant countenance upon the canvas . But then came other memories ; the beauty of her cousin rose up before her ; old jealousies revived ; and springing to her feet in the eager hope of finding her justification in the coi ^ eted casket , she breathlessly wrenched it open .
Greatly had she sinned , but' in a few brief moments , Ivanhim whom she had so fondly loved , ancl so foully outraged—was revenged ; and as she sat with the contents of the box scattered about her , her eyes distended , and her lips apart , as though they had severed in the attempt to emit a scream which found no utterance , she presented the very picture of heartstruck despair . The first objects which had fallen into her hands were her own portrait suspended by a chain of hair whicli she had herself