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Article THE COUNTESS AND THE SERF* ← Page 21 of 23 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Countess And The Serf*
No further opposition was attempted ; and on the morrow Sister Eudoxia entered upon her new and frightful duties . Madness in all its myriad forms ivas about her ; and yet she did not shrink . The most menial offices elicited no expression of disgust ; the most harassing demands upor . her patience failed to exhaust it ; while so gentle ancl winning ivas her that
sway , when some weeks had elapsed , she became the cherished object of many an aching heart , and the idol of many a distempered fancy . Once more , indeed , she was fated to feel a thrill of happiness ; and that was near the close of a year of cares ancl watchfulness , when she saw a fair girl restored to her family and to society , and heard the hitherto hopeless cure attributed to her
own judicious ancl loving rule . Often , as she stood by the empty bed , after the departure of her interesting and grateful patient , did the stricken woman bless that Providence which had enabled her to benefit a fellow-creature ; ancl with renewed zeal did she devote herself to the well-being of the other unfortunates by whom she was still surrounded .
On one bright morning , when she was wandering through the sunny alleys of the garden , and endeavouring to interest her mindless charges in the green leaves , the clustering blossoms , and the sights and sounds of spring , she ivas suddenly summoned to the receiving-hall , ivhere she Was met by the director of the house ; who , with more than ordinary anxiety , bespoke her good offices for a young girl ivho had been found wandering through the city streets , and exhibiting the most melancholy evidences of confirmed insanity .
As Eudoxia approached the stranger , who , sweeping away the long and tangled hair ivhich fell over her face , fixed upon her a pair of fierce but haggard eyes , she grew pale , and faltered ; but , instantly recovering her self-possession , she murmured , " No , no ; it is impossible ! She is at home , ancl happy . Those are not the mild and loving eyes of my sweet cousin . Have I not
yet learnt to curb this wayward heart ? but must every strange face upon which I look remind me either of Anna or of Ivan ?' " Ivan ! " echoed the maniac , crouching low upon her seat ; " Who talks of Ivan ? Bring him hither . He is my slave . Twenty ducats of gold to those who shall deliver to me the casket that he carries in his bosomand his disobedience
, repay by the lash . " " Speak , woman ! " shrieked Eudoxia , as she seized the stranger violently by the arm ; " what is the meaning of those words ? Who are you ?" " That is my secret , " said the wretched girl , as she glared savagely upon her captor ; " I had once a name—a proud name ;
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Countess And The Serf*
No further opposition was attempted ; and on the morrow Sister Eudoxia entered upon her new and frightful duties . Madness in all its myriad forms ivas about her ; and yet she did not shrink . The most menial offices elicited no expression of disgust ; the most harassing demands upor . her patience failed to exhaust it ; while so gentle ancl winning ivas her that
sway , when some weeks had elapsed , she became the cherished object of many an aching heart , and the idol of many a distempered fancy . Once more , indeed , she was fated to feel a thrill of happiness ; and that was near the close of a year of cares ancl watchfulness , when she saw a fair girl restored to her family and to society , and heard the hitherto hopeless cure attributed to her
own judicious ancl loving rule . Often , as she stood by the empty bed , after the departure of her interesting and grateful patient , did the stricken woman bless that Providence which had enabled her to benefit a fellow-creature ; ancl with renewed zeal did she devote herself to the well-being of the other unfortunates by whom she was still surrounded .
On one bright morning , when she was wandering through the sunny alleys of the garden , and endeavouring to interest her mindless charges in the green leaves , the clustering blossoms , and the sights and sounds of spring , she ivas suddenly summoned to the receiving-hall , ivhere she Was met by the director of the house ; who , with more than ordinary anxiety , bespoke her good offices for a young girl ivho had been found wandering through the city streets , and exhibiting the most melancholy evidences of confirmed insanity .
As Eudoxia approached the stranger , who , sweeping away the long and tangled hair ivhich fell over her face , fixed upon her a pair of fierce but haggard eyes , she grew pale , and faltered ; but , instantly recovering her self-possession , she murmured , " No , no ; it is impossible ! She is at home , ancl happy . Those are not the mild and loving eyes of my sweet cousin . Have I not
yet learnt to curb this wayward heart ? but must every strange face upon which I look remind me either of Anna or of Ivan ?' " Ivan ! " echoed the maniac , crouching low upon her seat ; " Who talks of Ivan ? Bring him hither . He is my slave . Twenty ducats of gold to those who shall deliver to me the casket that he carries in his bosomand his disobedience
, repay by the lash . " " Speak , woman ! " shrieked Eudoxia , as she seized the stranger violently by the arm ; " what is the meaning of those words ? Who are you ?" " That is my secret , " said the wretched girl , as she glared savagely upon her captor ; " I had once a name—a proud name ;