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Article THE COUNTESS AND THE SERF* ← Page 10 of 23 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Countess And The Serf*
revolution in the feelings of her cousin ; but , too proud for reproach or complaint , she made no comment upon the circumstance save to her confidential attendant ; ivho , with the ready spirit of intrigue common to her class , became ere long a zealous ancl untiring spy upon the movements of the unsuspicious Eudoxia . Nor was it long ere her watchfulness Avas
amply rewarded , and that ivith flashing eye and heightened colour , she presented herself before her anxious mistress . " Madam , " she exclaimed vehemently , as she closed the door of the chamber carefully behind her ; " You are betrayed !" "What mean you , Catherine ? " demanded the Countess Anna , rising hastily from her seat .
" They met this morning at daybreak , in a sheltered part of the garden , while the very servants of the castle were yet sleeping . " " How know you this ?" " I had been told of the appointment ; but although , in my eagerness to serve you , I had forborne to seek my bed , I was yet too late to ivitness their first meeting ; but I saAV enough to prove that you Avere betrayed . " " You saw—what ?"
" I saw him kneeling at her feet ; I heard him implore her to recall her words—and then , after the pause of a moment , I saw her raise him from the earth , and embrace him , as she uttered a few words in so low a tone that I could not catch their meaning . " " Enough , Catherine , " said the young countess sternly ; " you
have served me well , and shall have no occasion to repent your zeal . I may be wronged , but I am not powerless , and may yet revenge the injury . "
The opportunity of vengeance presented itself only too soon . For some days the attendants of the Countess Eudoxia had been busily engaged in preparing the travelling-carriage of their mistress , and in arranging relays for a journey of considerable length ; but she had remained silent as to her intention of leaving the castle Avhich had so long been her home , until one
evening as she stood beside her cousin , who was watching the sunset at an open window , she suddenly wound her arm about her waist , and said , in a voice choked with emotion : " My dear cousin , ray more than sister , I must leave you to-morrow ; I trust only for a short time , although I am unable to fix the precise period of my return . The Countess Sophia Dalgouriska
, the only relatii r e save yourself Avhom I possess in this Avorld , is dangerously ill , ancl desires to see me before she dies . I cannot , of course , hesitate to obey so solemn a summons , and I have s 2
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Countess And The Serf*
revolution in the feelings of her cousin ; but , too proud for reproach or complaint , she made no comment upon the circumstance save to her confidential attendant ; ivho , with the ready spirit of intrigue common to her class , became ere long a zealous ancl untiring spy upon the movements of the unsuspicious Eudoxia . Nor was it long ere her watchfulness Avas
amply rewarded , and that ivith flashing eye and heightened colour , she presented herself before her anxious mistress . " Madam , " she exclaimed vehemently , as she closed the door of the chamber carefully behind her ; " You are betrayed !" "What mean you , Catherine ? " demanded the Countess Anna , rising hastily from her seat .
" They met this morning at daybreak , in a sheltered part of the garden , while the very servants of the castle were yet sleeping . " " How know you this ?" " I had been told of the appointment ; but although , in my eagerness to serve you , I had forborne to seek my bed , I was yet too late to ivitness their first meeting ; but I saAV enough to prove that you Avere betrayed . " " You saw—what ?"
" I saw him kneeling at her feet ; I heard him implore her to recall her words—and then , after the pause of a moment , I saw her raise him from the earth , and embrace him , as she uttered a few words in so low a tone that I could not catch their meaning . " " Enough , Catherine , " said the young countess sternly ; " you
have served me well , and shall have no occasion to repent your zeal . I may be wronged , but I am not powerless , and may yet revenge the injury . "
The opportunity of vengeance presented itself only too soon . For some days the attendants of the Countess Eudoxia had been busily engaged in preparing the travelling-carriage of their mistress , and in arranging relays for a journey of considerable length ; but she had remained silent as to her intention of leaving the castle Avhich had so long been her home , until one
evening as she stood beside her cousin , who was watching the sunset at an open window , she suddenly wound her arm about her waist , and said , in a voice choked with emotion : " My dear cousin , ray more than sister , I must leave you to-morrow ; I trust only for a short time , although I am unable to fix the precise period of my return . The Countess Sophia Dalgouriska
, the only relatii r e save yourself Avhom I possess in this Avorld , is dangerously ill , ancl desires to see me before she dies . I cannot , of course , hesitate to obey so solemn a summons , and I have s 2