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Entered according to Act of Conese in the y
By Heiten M. GRanaM, —
In aie Office of the Librarian of Conte at
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An Italian Interdict.
An Italian Interdict.
CHAPTER I.
One fine Winter’s day in Rome, the Eternal City
as it is called, there was assembled a little party
_ for the English custom of afternoon tea.
‘* Well, Florence,” began Tony Mortimer, ‘‘ has
Celia been showing you the sights? Where have
you been ?”
““Hiverywhere,” answered Florence, ‘‘ although
I suppose you fancied that without your valuable
aid we would be irretrievably lost ; nevertheless,
as Celia will tell you, we fared very well.”
_ The speaker was petite, with a certain piquancy
and freshness to which was added now a supreme
disdain.
‘‘Cruel as always,” answered Tony. ‘I expec-
ted as much. You have grown very contemptuous
and very disdainful of late ; why is it?” |
‘‘ Blame the world for it, not me ; one grows so
always, I fancy, after one has been several years in
ee the vortex. There is nothing like it for grinding
down the sharp edges of one’s character,”
2
8 AN ITALIAN INTERDICT.
‘‘ Florence,” here interrupted Celia, “‘you must
stay with us for the Carnival. Surely that is the
one time of all others to be in Rome.”
‘‘Thank you, Celia ; but I fear you will be tired
of me by that time, besides T do not know how
long mamma and Bertie intend remaining. I must
return to America with them, you know.”
‘‘ And how soon will that he uC
‘Tt depends upon Bertie’s health. Mamma ae
to see a marked improvement in him before re-
turning.”’
‘Well, I don’t want to quarrel with your sites
brother, for it is owing to him that we have you at
all, but Tam sure we shall be delighted to have you
stay, shall we we not Alessandro ?” _
Her husband thus appealed to, smiled pleasantly.
‘‘T should be only too eee he answered, in
broken English.
“There goes Adrian!” exclaimed Tony, who,
during this conversation, had been looking out of
the pees ‘‘T had no idea he had returned so —
soon.’ |
‘“Who is Adrian?” asked Florence, with her
slow air of disdain. pipet
‘Adrian Mancici, Duke de Colonna.” __ <3
‘That man a Duke !” she exclaimed, as ‘Abokinoas
out she saw a tall, well-built man, about Tony’s —
- own age, in a shabby velveteen coat ; Bees sg
bledetas “3
‘‘True, nevertheless,” answered Tone < Se 3
and proud like most OL his race ; ha! he sees i
now and is looking ube
AN ITALIAN INTERDICT. y
Florence, veiled behind the curtain, saw his up-
turned face, and something of the pathos of it—
though he was smiling now—in the large dark
eyes and delicate contour, struck home to her, and
in a moment she was off her guard.
“How handsome he is!” she exclaimed, as he
disappeared with a wave of his hand.
‘“You think so ?” said Tony, bitterly. ‘‘ Women
are all alike; they jump ata title like a fish at a
‘hook, and often get caught, too, for that matter.”
‘*T have no desire for a title ; we Americans are
too independent to care for a paltry thing like
that,” she answered, with flaming cheeks.
_ She had sat down to her embroidery, but a cer-
tain annoyance at having betrayed herself made
her fingers clumsy. Her silk knotted and her
needle broke. Proud and high-spirited as she was,
and contemptuous of light, every-day matters,
there was a well of deep feeling at her heart which
was not for every one—her pride, her irony kept it
concealed ; but to those who could reach deep
enough it was rich as it was deep.
After dinner, as they were sitting in the garden
under the orange trees, the Duke de Colonna sud-
_ denly stood before them.
— ** Good evening, Signora,” he said to Celia. ‘‘ My
_ friend Tony, here,” laying a hand on his shoulder,
“has spoiled me, and when I want him I come
grright.in,”
i “That is right, Adrian; you are always wel-
come,” answered Celia. ‘But you have not met
10 - AN ITALIAN INTERDICT.
my guest, Miss Harrington. She is an old school-
friend of mine.” :
Adrian bowed, but before he could speak Tony
broke in.
‘*How long have you been in Rome—when did
you get back ?¢”
‘‘Only this morning. Ah! how good Rome is
after one has been away for any length of time.”
‘What a true Roman you are !” said Celia.
‘Certainly ; why not?” he answered, smiling.
I think it would take a great deal to equal Rome,
either in her grandeur as she is to foreigners, or 1n
her beauty as she is to us Romans.”
‘“How you champion her!” laughed Celia. “I
hope some time you will love a woman as pes
as you love Rome at present.”
‘*She has been a good mother to me,” he answer-
ed. ‘‘I only give her my poor gratitude.”
Florence had been silent, listening to the conver-—
sation. Now Adrian farmed to her and, with a
slight flush born of diffidence, said :
‘Why are you silent, Miss Hartnaeee ¢ Are
you not an admirer of Rome Me
‘‘T can hardly say,” she answered calmly. ‘‘ | have
been here so little and have seen less.”
whe ee:
‘Why, Florence,” exclaimed Celia, *‘ you have A |
been very ene Peter’s, Arch of pits and
Patrian—all over !”
‘*T do not call that seer seeing or engine foe
city,” answered Florence. ‘‘Can you knowawo- |
man by the jewels she wears ?”
‘‘ Miss Harrington is right,” said Adrian. “‘The
,
¢ Ml
‘a tes La oF
AN ITALIAN INTERDICT. 11
greatest time to really see Rome is during the Car-
nival.”
*“If you can persuade Miss Harrington to stay
to that,” said Celia, “‘ you can do what Alessandro,
Tony and I have failed to do.”
““Then I am afraid I can do but little,” said
Adrian, rising. ‘‘ What are you painting now,
Tony ?”
‘**I have two or three pictures under way ; can
you come in and see them?”
‘* Not to-night ; it is late. Some other time.”
‘To-morrow, then ?”
‘Yes, to-morrow. Good-night.”
‘Poor fellow,” said Celia when he was gone,
‘‘*how can he manage to live from day to day, as
he does, in boundless magnificence yet suffering
for bread! It is the Italian system, and no one
complains.” |
‘‘TIs he really so poor?” asked Florence. ‘‘I
thought he was titled.”
‘So he is, my dear; but a title can not buy the
necessities of life.”
CHAPTER II.
The next morning Celia was with her brother in
the studio, and, as he diligently plied his Bese
she pursued an animated conversation.
“Tony,” she began, ‘‘why don’t you interest
yourself more in Florence? She has been here a
whole week, and I do not believe she cares one bit
more for you than she did when she first came.”
‘*T don’t believe she does,” he answered, hope-
lessly. |
‘Why don’t you make her, then ?”
oe Everything I say she turns off into
irony.”
e What roe men are,” said his sister contemp-
tuously ; ‘‘ you have not begun in the right way. I
am exceedingly anxious to see you well settled in
life, and Florence is charming. Besides, she is
enormously rich. Her father left her a fortune
independently ; he was a very wealthy man, and —
there is only her mother and her little brother.
That is why she is so independent in her ways and
so outspoken, just like a man, for with her money
she can marry anybody.” |
‘‘T am afraid she could never care for me.”
‘* Make her,”
AN ITALIAN INTERDICT. 13
‘* How ?”
‘Why, there are a thousand little ways of show-
- ing her attention, and I am willing to help you all
Ican. It will take time and patience, and having
her right here in the house is a great auxiliary.”
**T will do my utmost ; I think she does not alto-
gether dislike me.”
“Tt is plain sailing. You have an open sea, fa-
_vorable wind, no one else in sight; you have only
to steer correctly, bear down upon her, and open
fire.” . :
‘*T am inclined to think, my dear Celia, you ~
could do all that kind of thing better than I.”
_** Nonsense, show some spirit. Remember, ‘ faint
heart ne’er won fair lady’ ; go in and win.” |
- She was silent after that, and Tony continued to
ply his brushes ; but the conversation made more of
an impression on him than she knew, and he deter-
mined to begin again on a new plan.
Meanwhile, Florence, the object of their conver- |
sation, was in the garden with a book she did not
read. As she raised her eyes she saw the Duke ap-
proaching her. Involuntarily she rose.
- * You are out early,” were his first words as he
_ joined her.
‘‘Not more so than usual,” was her reply. ‘‘I
think the air here tempts one in spite of one’s self.”
‘‘Then you like Italy, do you not?”
‘What I have seen of it, yes. It seems to me
to be filled with the very nicest of everything—
beautiful sky, lovely flowers, a perfect climate—
what more could you have ?” ia,
14 AN ITALIAN INTERDICT, |
‘“And how about the people themselves—are
they included in your list ?”
‘Do you think so?” She was looking at him
archly as she spoke.
‘I hope so ?” he returned.
She rose reluctantly.
‘How the time has flown! Celia will wonder
what has become of me; I must go to the studio.
Come !”
She said this in a tone of command, and the Duke
gladly followed her. They entered the studio to-
gether.
Tony looked surprised when he saw them, but
Florence seemed in the highest spirits. - |
‘“You call yourself an artist, Tony, and yet you
work indoors on a day like this !” she exclaimed ;
‘‘that is a contradiction I do not quite under- ~
stand.”
‘“We live to learn, you know; besides, as we
have not tried out of doors we are satisfied here for —
a time.”’
‘© At least it is cooler,” said Celia.
‘“Sour grapes!” said Florence. ‘* You both
ought to pose for Content; it would become you
_very well.”
‘You are always saying such nice, complies
tary things about me, Florence,” said Tony, “I
feel highly honored, I assure you. Adrian,” he
continued, turning to his friend, ‘‘ you come just
at the right time. I want you to pose for me.”
‘*Pose for you! I could not do it.”
‘Oh, yes. I want a figure, sort of reclining—an
AN ITALIAN INTERDICT. 15
Eastern Chief in his tent. You never refused be-
fore; what is the reason you do so now ?”
‘Well, if you insist,” he began, ungraciously,
“*T have nothing more to say,”
‘I wish I could paint,” began Tony, petulantly.
‘*T wish you could tell me the secret of it, Adrian.
Oh, those glorious pictures in your gallery! You
should see them, Florence, such Angelo’s, such Ra-:
phael’s, and every one worth a king’s ransom.”
‘“Is this so?” began Florence. ‘‘ Will you show
them to me ?”
‘*Perhaps, some time,” said Adrian, slowly.
“They are famous the world over,” said Celia.
‘‘Have you never heard, my dear, of the great Co-
lonna gallery ¢ ae
‘* And is all this yours?” Florence asked, turning
to him.
‘* All mine,” he said, with a deep sigh.
There was a long silence, during which Tony
painted steadily.
That same evening they were seated on the bal-
cony, and Florence was watching the stars come |
out one by one, when the Duke joined her.
‘* What a perfect night!” she said. ‘‘Could any-
thing be better ?”
‘‘ Would you like to come down to the garden ?”
he asked, eagerly. ‘‘We can see the moon rise
there much better.”
‘“Yes, I will go,” she answered, in her cold,
measured tones; and he caught up her wrap of
sheer priceless lace and threw it about her shoul-
ders.
16 AN ITALIAN INTERDICT.
They walked for some time in silence. Florence
seemed absorbed in her thoughts and Adrian watch-
ed her beautiful, immobile face, happy that he was
by her side.
They came toa fqunte and she seated herself
on.a stone bench, under a broken statue. Then
she turned her tloan tranquil eyes upon him.
“This is like a ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ ”
she said. ‘‘It is such a night as one might maa
of. You do not feel it as Ido; why not?”
‘‘Perhaps because I am used to it. Custom
stales, they say, though I love it nevertheless.”
There was silence for a time, and when she spoke
again it was in a different tone. ae
‘Tell me something of yourself; what have you
been ?” :
““There is nOnOS much to tell. I have been al-
ways as I am now.’
‘Your face tells me better than your tongue.”
‘“ What has it betrayed ?” he said, smiling. 3
‘“That you have not always been like this ; per-
haps once your people were mighty, you yourself
~ were rich and powerful. Am I not right ?”
‘‘T have never been other than I am,” he began, —
in a low, sad voice, ‘‘as for my people, the Colon-
na in.olden time were the great family here, they
ruled almost absolute as kings. We were then very
rich and very powerful.” . x
‘* What caused the change,” she asked.
‘‘ A thousand and one things. The times, the
politics, the age, and when a house begins to tot-
ter the downfall is precipitate, everything hastens
AN ITALIAN INTERDICT. 17
it. They lived on in the grand old palace, fighting,
feasting, flourishing, without a thought of any-
thing else until my grandfather’s time. He found
it on the brink of ruin, with bankruptcy staring
him in the face. But he kept on just the same,
spending more than he could account for, keeping
up the almost feudal customs till his death.
_ “My poor father! with him it was different.
His life was a hard, bitter struggle, that ultimately
crushed him, and he died a worn out old man, at
forty.”
‘* And you have no one ?”’
‘*No one. I am the last, and me race will die
with me. Father, mother, brothers and sisters
have all gone, followed the fortune, and I stand
alone in the midst of my ruined heritage bearing
the fallen fortunes of the house of Colonna.”
When he stopped, Florence rose and stretched
her hands out to him. She was pale, and the tears
welled up in her eyes and fell in great oro on
her cheeks. —
‘“‘Thank you so much for telling me all this, I
feel already as if I knew you better, I do not think
that their power is quite gone yet. ‘Who best
bears his mild yoke they serve Him best,’ remem-
ber that. But itis growing very late and I must
return ; I had forgotten the time entirely.”
They walked back to the house together.
“TI will not enter, it is too late,” said Adrian,
‘‘make my excuses to them and tell them I will
come some other time.”
s
18 AN ITALIAN INTERDICT.
The young girl turned to bid him good-night and
stood fora moment in the door-way—the moon-
light falling softly on her slender form and face
that was replete with feeling and tenderness—then
fluttered into the shadowy house. |
Adrian stood looking after her for some moments,
wondering what she had meant by saying, ‘‘ their
power not all gone yet,” then wandered back
again and stood beneath the shattered statue of the
Hope. Was it an omen ?
CHAPTER III.
It was a glorious day, the sunshine was flooding
the land and touching everything it came in con-
tact with into pure gold, as a carriage passed into ©
the more unfrequented thoroughfares. It was a
party consisting of Celia, Florence, Tony and Ad-
rian, on their way to the ruins of the famous Baths
of Caracalla.
‘* How the beggars do persecute us to-day,” said
Celia, ‘‘ I never knew them to be so persistent.”
‘‘The two extremes,” said Ds. pointing, ‘‘here
the palaces—there the beggars.”
‘‘In this case the beggars overshadow the
palaces,” said his sister.
** A curious amalgamation of nature,” said Tony,
‘‘Ttalian to the core. What are you thinking of,
Florence? You are so silent.”
**T was thinking how different it all was from
America, here you have the two extremes, as
Celia said, there all is equal.”
“Tg America so different then?” asked Adri ian,
looking up.
‘* As different as a kingdom can be from a repub-
lies
‘¢ And which is preferable ?’
90) AN ITALIAN INTERDICT.
‘‘It depends entirely upon the person. , Now
Tony, for instance, should prefer this, from his
artistic standpoint.”
‘‘On the contrary,” said Tony, ‘“‘I am patriotic
enough to prefer America.”
‘‘Tony you are like the man in the fable, who
got everything by wishing for it and Aoiine
pleased him, they all came too easily.”
“I don’t get everything easily at all,” said Tony, |
¥
“4,
‘‘T am afraid Florence is growing too Spied by Ss
fare:
‘Do you despise satire? I do not, I think it is
an excellent weapon well used, but like the sur-
geon’s knife, cuts and gashes terribly when used by
an pales ee hand. It strikes at the i in
everything.”
‘‘Your metaphor is. excellent, Mademoisdte: a |
compliment you for it, a replied Tony, ‘ ‘and. bow
before your superior intellect.” |
‘“‘Coming from you it is a compliment indeed,
Signor Antonio.”
‘“What nonsense,” said Celia, “‘you both talk
like a drawing-room society play.”
‘Florence, like every right- rene woman, must
have the last word,” said Tony. ‘Oh, Subdrion:
Being,” he continent “why do you not advocate
woman’s rights ?”
‘*So I do though not as interpreted by the world.
I want woman’s eee only, not man’s Tights:
usurped by woman.’
The carriage stopped here and they descend
‘Have I shocked you ?” asked Florence, smiling _
ae RAN
AN ITALIAN INTERDICT. 21
at Adrian who was helping her descend. ‘‘ Do the
- women of your country argue on these subjects ?’
‘If they did I think it would be better for them,”
was the reply.
The ruins were magnificent, the soft balmy Ital-
jan air, the sunshine and the blue sky, pervaded
earthing.
‘*Look, Tony, there are the Blounts,” exclaimed
Celia, suddenly, ‘‘don’t you remember Grace, that
tall girl we met in London last year ?”
‘“Why so it is, upon my word,” answered Tony,
‘and looking prettier than ever.”
Brother and sister hurried forward to greet their
new found friends, and soon they were all chatter-
_ ing together to the exclusion of everything else.
‘* What a day for perfect happiness,” exclaimed
Florence as she and Adrian were left together.
“Show me all the ruins and tell me all about them.”
Slowly they went from stone to stone and Flor-
ence was pleased and awed, and at last tiring of it
seated herself on a huge rock in the shade..
‘** How different were the lives of these men who
lived here so long. ago from ours who are here to-
day,” she said.
‘* And yet perhaps they were as happy in their
own way,” answered Adrian, as he lay stretched
on the grass at her feet.
‘‘They say it is part of one’s self Ae one’s sur-
roundings,” she said, ‘“‘how different the idea of
happiness is to different people. Ask the poet, the
anchorite, the king, the slave, and ies: will all
have something different.”
99 AN ITALIAN INTERDICT,
‘What is your idea of it,® Miss Harrington ?”
‘‘T could not explain it,” she answered, ‘‘ but to-
day I feel perfectly happy, it may be the air, it
may be the glorious climate, it may be these ruins
or all three together, and perhaps more, I don’t
know and I don’t care to analyze it, let it suffice
that I am so.”
‘¢°’ometimes it makes one sad to see ruins such
as these, it makes one wish one could do something
or be something greater than other men.” |
‘‘Have you felt so ?”’ :
“‘T feel so often.”
‘‘Then you should succeed; remember that
greatness does not come for the wishing.”
‘Tg anything as fickle as fortune” asked Adrian,
‘think of how many enter the race and how few
reach the goal.” :
“Tf all that entered succeeded the victor would
not be appreciated ; it is only when we have failed
ourselves that we see and appreciate the greatness
of others.” na
Here they were interrupted by one
‘‘ Where have you been ?’ he exclaimed, ‘‘I was
looking everywhere.”
‘‘ Just where you see us,” answered Adrian.
‘‘Have your English friends gone ?”’
‘‘ They are as Rome where they are stopping for
the Carnival.’
‘“‘Tt is time we were returning,” said Florence,
rising reluctantly, ‘‘ Celia will be looking for 01 Faget
‘©Qome this way,” said Tony. —
bi Mie a
AN ITALIAN INTERDIOT. 98
They were at a plank almost perpendicular,
Florence hesitated.
~ “T cannot go down there? she said, ‘it makes
me feel giddy even to look at it.”
‘Give me your hand,” said Tony, ‘‘and I will
help you.”
Florence hesitated still and almost involuntar-
ily looked at the Duke.
He instantly stepped forward.
“Let me help you,” he said, ‘‘ have no fear, you
_ will be as safe as on solid ground.”
She put her hand in his and Tony felt jealous,
the first pang he had ever felt.
Florence soon gained the ground in safety and
they joined Celia, who was seated in the carriage
waiting for them. :
‘“How long you have been,” she cried,
could not imagine what had become of you.”
_ The drive home was without incident, Celia
talking brightly to Adrian all the way, while
Florence sat as one in a dream, even forgetting to
_ answer Tony’s sallies with her musta spirit.
‘*we
CHAPTER IV.
Adrian was in his own rooms of the palace—
stretched full length on a divan, when Giovanni,
once his steward, now valet, butler and general
manager, came to him.
‘*'We are at a low ebb to-day, my lord, the fare
must be scanty, but as it is, what do you prefer ?”’
“Anything,” answered the Duke absently,
‘‘Santa Maria! you must have some choice, to
think of a Duke of Colonna coming to this, barely
keeping soul and body together, is shameful.”
‘‘T have told you over and over again, Giovanni,
that you had better take a good place, you are old
and need all the little comforts that I cannot give
you, I have done all I could to get you out com-
fortably, you must now look forward to Exe .
starved but “y
‘“Do you think I could ever leave you of my
own accord, caro maestro ?”’ he said, as he laid his
hand reverentially on the young man’s head, ‘‘no,
no, to eat a crust here by your side is better to me
tn a feast of kings.”
‘“Perhaps we shall not have even the nhac 3
always,” answered the Duke, sadly. * But,
Se ee eee
AN ITALIAN INTERDICT. 25
Giovanni, listen to me, I expect company this
evening, what can you give them?”
‘‘Corpo de Bacco! company, and things at this
pass ; dinner, company ; ah! caro maestro, if you
were rich how your heart would delight in wide-
spread hospitality, but Heaven help us, we have
barely enough for ourselves.”
**While there is a Colonna living, their doors
will be open to guests,” answered the Duke proud-
ly, *‘ that is their right.”
‘*But we can do nothing without money.”
‘* Sell something then.” -
‘We have nothing, everything of any value has
_ gone long ago, ah! caro maestro! can you never
_ feel that you are poor ?”
‘“‘T feel it only too well,” answered Adrian, a_
quick flush of annoyance passing over his face. He
arose and paced the room.
Giovanni watched him narrowly.
‘Tf it is only a party of young fellows, I think
we could borrow from Rinaldo over the way,
enough to make out with.”
“The silver candlesticks?” exclaimed Adrian,
getting them down with feverish haste. ‘‘I had
entirely forgotten them. Giovanni take these and
see what they will bring.”
‘“‘Santa Maria! they have been in the family for
so many years, I could not sell those to save my
soul.”
**Do you refuse / Then I will take them my-
self.”
“The Duke of Colonna at a pawn shop, never, I
°6 AN ITALIAN INTERDICT. — ;
will take them at once. Oh, that I had ever lived
~ to see the day we parted from the silver candle-
sticks.”
‘‘One moment, Giovanni,” and the Duke threw
himself again on the couch, ‘‘I expect ladies, this
is to be no ordinary feast, I wish everything to be
the very best you can procure, spare no pains and
with the candlesticks there will be no trouble.”
‘Kat the candlesticks at onemeal? Impossible,
why think of what we shall do afterwards.”
‘‘T care not if we starve afterwards, but for this
one day only I wish a feast fit for the gods. Spare
nothing, and, Giovanni, open one of those bottles
of old wine we have in the cellar.”
‘““The Colonna wine! the gift of your end
father from the French king! oh, don’t open that,
some other kind will do just as well.”
‘‘T will have that and no other, go now, Gio-
vanni, leave me, I wish to be alone.”
As the dinner hour approached the little Bae
arrived, consisting of Celia and her husband, ENS
and Florence.
The Duke, who stood looking for. them, deheat:
ed the aS bareheaded and after greeting the
others turned to Florence. |
‘‘T am so happy to welcome you here, Miss Har-
rington,” he said, bowing gravely, ‘‘let me escort
you to my house.”
He looked so handsome and winning as he stood
there in the sunlight welcoming his guests, that
Florence’s eyes strayed to his face and rested there.
‘‘How charming everything is,” she said, when
sal
AN ITALIAN INTERDICT. ees
they found themselves inside, ‘‘ you have been
almost selfish to keep it to yourself so long.”
She looked around her as she spoke, a gay, care-
less, happy girl, and as the Duke bent over her he
felt a wild tumultuous feeling. overpowering him.
She wore a bunch of narcissus and their fresh-
ness and odor seemed to pervade everything.
When the meal was announced they found the
table the perfection of taste.
“*My dear Adrian you have given us a most
pleasant surprise,” began Celia, ‘‘ who would have
thought you could have done everything so well.”
‘“But when shall we see the pictures?” said
Florence. -
“ Afterwards,” answered Adrian. ‘We will
_ take everything by turns.”
“You must be lonesome here sometimes, ” said
~ Celia.
- Oh no,” he answered, ‘‘ when I am lonesome I
go out and when I am tired it looks pleasant here.”
_ “ How very ential, ” said Tony, who was
by Florence.
— **¥ou are very whe not to be Aidconton ted: é
said Florence, turning to Adrain.
“Oh I don’t know, I think I could be happy any-
where if I lived like this, free as air. I might only
have one room and that at the top of a house and
it might have its compensations. Besides I would
- gtill be in Rome what would it matter after all ?”’
‘But would you be as happy ”’ asked Florence.
“Why not? We have only one life to live, so I
A ee, ee
- a? ae
28 AN ITALIAN INTERDICT.
think we are allowed to make that as. pleasant as
possible.”
‘‘' Where do you get such good wine ?” said Ales-
sandro, ‘‘I have tried all over Italy and cannot find
anything to compare with it.”
“Tt was some I had, I think mysett it is very
good.”
‘“Very good! it is admirable, delicious.”
‘* Miss aoe » said Adrian, turning to Flor-
ence as they rose, ‘* your pale is about W be
rewarded, my pickin es are here.”
He threw open a huge door and Florence found
herself in an immense space, the walls literally
papered with paintings.
‘© Are they all yours ?’ she sha iiaeree at lean
‘* All,” he answered, smiling, ‘‘ do — think there
are so many ?”
‘* Many, it would take a lifetime to ore them
all. You should never want for anything while
you haye these.”
“One cannot live altogether on pictures, ns 12
said.
“Tet us begin at the beginning. If I were an
artist I should never wish to paint again after see-
ing these masterpieces.”
2 est seeing these emulates others to do like-
wise.’
‘“T should think you would feel almost tempted
to sell some of them, there are so many they must
be almost priceless. ”
‘“The last two that I sold supported me for over
a year, but I can never sell any more now.”
=
se GS
AN ITALIAN INTERDICT. 29
‘* Tt is hard to part with them, I know,” she said.
‘It is not that. Italy has passed a law that no
works of art shall pass out of the country. This
gallery has been open to the public for years, in
fact the Colonna gallery is known all over Europe.”
‘** But could you not sell them to some rich per-
son who lives in Italy ?”
“That would be allowable. It is not that they
must not be sold as it is they must not leave the
country.”
‘*T think that is an unjust law.”
‘“Itisa law that you Americans would under-
stand, because it is to benefit the people. ‘Shall we
go on the terrace ?”
“One moment.. I feel as if I could scarcely tear
myself away from here.” _
— And yet outside there is a glorious sunset.”
- **One can see a sunset every day, but paintings
such as these only once in a lifetime. They are
grand. Come, I am ready now.” |
When they gained the terrace the sun had set
and only a glorious radiance filled the sky.
“Ts not this better than any picture?” asked
the Duke. )
‘‘Ah, how much better. After all Art in every
sense is only a copy after Nature.”
They joined the others and soon the hour came
for them to return. :
‘‘Have you enjoyed it in the least,” asked the
Duke anxiously, of Florence, as he was helping
her with her wrap. |
30 AN ITALIAN INTERDICT.
‘‘ Enjoyed it! It has been one of the pleasant-
est days of my life,” she answered warmly.
When they were gone Adrian wandered aimless- —
ly from room to room, feeling over again the
fascination and power she exercised over him, till
by degrees the whole palace seemed sanctified by
her presence.
CHAPTER V.
The soft Italian day was drawing to a close
when Adrian, who was in his palace passing an
idle hour, espied Tony from the window, and hur-
ried to welcome him. 3
‘*T am glad to see you old fellow,” he said, ‘‘ it
is a long time since you were here. But some-
thing is wrong, I see it in your face, what is it ?”
“‘Something is very wrong,” answered Tony,
“that is why Icame here. Adrian, do you think
you have acted honorably to me.”
‘‘ Honorably ! why what do you mean? What
have I done?”
“Done, you have been flirting desperately with
Miss Harrington and turning her head with your
soft charming manners. Do you deny this ?”
‘“Was there any harm ?” |
_ **Harm, when I have been trying for so long to
win her, do you think you were right to interfere ?
Celia invited her ‘here especially for me, and every-
thing was going on satisfactorily till you stepped
in and spoiled it all.”
~ “T cannot understand yet what I have done,”
said the Duke.
— **Qan’t you see you are standing in my way ?
32 AN ITALIAN INTERDICT.
How can I make any headway when you are
always monopolizing her? You are only amusing
yourself, while I really care for her. Oh, Adrian
how could you treat me so.”
‘Does she care for you?” asked the Puke,
slowly.
‘¢She would if you would only keep out of the
way and give me the chance. ‘Adrian we have
been friends so long, surely you will do this for
me—just keep out of her way until all is settled.”
‘‘ And would you value a love won like that?”
asked the Duke with supreme scorn. ‘* That is no
love, if she cannot care for you enough now she
never will; you cannot keep her forever shut
away from other men. I think you are not sure
enough of your own position in her regard if you
fear rivals.”’ .
“* Adrian, [ have come here to-day to ask you to.
end this miserable fiirtation. It means more to
me than you can ever guess. She likes you, is ;
interested in you, and I cannot deny that you are
handsomer than most men and fascinating, and
have a soft manner, and Heaven only knows what,
but nuetS is something about you that attracts
women.’
_** About me! Tony you are écoeeemel compli-
mentary, [ had no idea I was so attractive. Have
you taken an inventory of all my charms ?”
“You have not been my model for nothing.
Promise me pa that you will leave the field
open for me.’ | he
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AN ITALIAN INTERDICT. 383
~The Duke knitted his brow and paced up and
down hisroom. Suddenly he paused.
“For how long am I to do this ?”
- * Until I can get it all settled.”
**T will do it then, Tony, but remember, you
must make it as short as possible.”
‘*How can I thank you, Adrian,” said Tony,
‘“you were my friend always and now more so
than ever, since no woman can come between us.”
Tony left the palace very well satisfied with
himself, but Adrian paced up and down restlessly,
striving to control his emotions.
‘* Well, at any rate, if she cares enough for him
to marry him I should be content; if she does not
accept him there is still a chance for me.”
While this conversation had been taking place,
Florence had taken Alessandro aside in the studio.
‘“T am going to ask you todo something for me,”
she said, ‘‘and I hope you will not refuse me.”
‘Refuse you, certainly not, what is it.”
“First of all, I must pledge you to secrecy.”
““A secret is it? Mustn’t I even tell Celia?”
‘*No, not even Celia. Are you ready Lae
Proceed. %
‘*T have been to see thie Duke of Colonna’s Daa
ings, I admire them greatly andI wish to buy one.’
‘‘They are very expensive.”
*‘T care nothing for that. I will give you a check _
for any amount he names. Pick out the least val-
uable one and tell the Duke to name his price.”
‘‘But, my dear young lady, those pictures can-
34 AN ITALIAN INTERDICT.
not leave Italy ; and, another thing, he could not
sell them to you.”
“T have thought of all that and my plans are
made to carry them out; you have only to do as I
tell you. Go to the Duke, tell him a rich Ameri-
can wishes one of his pictures, you pick out the
one the American is:supposed to choose. Tell him
it is to be sent here prior to your sending it away.
My check will be drawn on my banker in London —
and he will never know that I am connected with
it, that is, if you keep your word.”
‘That is easily done ; but have you realized how
very much this will Cont you?”
‘It matters little. Can you go soon?”
‘‘T will go at once; but one more question.
What are you to do with we picture when it
arrives here ?”
‘© You will find that out alt in good time.”
‘*Then I will go, though I hope to be enlightened :
some time as my reward.”
‘‘ What are you saying to my husband?” asked
Celia, putting her head in the doorway.
‘‘ Nothing of any importance,” answered Flor-
ence, smiling. ‘‘It is a home secret between us
two.”
‘“Then I shall expect to know it very soon for
they say that a woman can never keep a secret.”
‘*That all depends,” answered Florence, ‘‘ though
I think that most of our old time sayings are suf-
fering a change now, the philosophers have not
yet learned the old proverb :—‘Let well enough
~
¢ r = ee Seas
a Ny Se on ee ene aie
eave rer: * Se ee ee ee
AN ITALIAN INTERDICT. 255
alone,’ and sometimes upset some of our pet theo-
ries.” .
‘‘That is so but it is the march of the times.”
**But it has been proved that women can keep
secrets better than men,” said Florence. ‘‘ Look
at the Russian women, how they do.”
‘*Yes, poor things, and what grief they come to,
for my part I would rather be an American,” said
Celia, ‘‘ after all we have the best time of it.”
**1T think none of us would be willing to return
to the days of bondage. We have outgrown that ;
think of the old Bible times and the women in
them.” e
‘“You were speaking rather slightingly of phi-
losophers just now, pray Miss Florence are you not
one yourself ?”
“On the contrary, I prefer to leave Nature as
she is.”
CHAPTER VI.
‘“‘Tony,” said Florence, one day as they were
leaving the breakfast table, ‘‘come with meinto —
the studio.” - , | X
“What is coming now ” he asked, as he follow- _
ed her, completely mystified. _
She did not answer, but gaining the uli she
sat as if wrapped in thought. pes :
‘‘ What have I done?’ he asked, going over to
where she sat, ‘‘ have I ofendat you and are you
going to scold me ?”
‘“‘Scold you, no,” she answered, ao have no right
to take you to task.” -
‘“Won’t you let me give you the right he a
asked. |
‘Don’t talk that way now,” abe implored, ay .
will tell you what I brought you here for, it is to
do me a very great favor. It is the a vnie r }
have ever asked any thing of you.”
‘Tell me what it is then that I can do it at once. “
Florence turned a picture around to the light.
‘“Have you ever seen this before, Tone 2 she
asked. OU AS ee a s
AN ITALIAN INTERDICT. 37
** One of the Colonna pn ee ! how did it get
here ?”
‘““Tt is mine, I have bought it.”
“ How will you ever get it out of Italy ?”
‘“That is where you are to help me.”
‘*Me, I do not understand.”
“It is very simple, listen. You are to paint a
picture on a bit of canvas and then nail it on over
this so that it will look like one of your own
paintings.” 3 7
_‘* And if we are caught ?”
‘We must take our chances, though they are
ten to one we will not be caught.”
**Does the Duke know of this?”
‘** He has no need to know anything, only that he
has sold his picture.”
“Why are you doing this, Florence? What is
this picture to you except that it is Adrian's ?
Why do you always think of him first? Why
have you bought his picture and not mine. Oh,
Florence, this has truly hurt me.”
— ** Don’t be jealous, Tony, you are not in so much
need as the Duke, besides, will you not help him ?
He is your friend, you know.”
‘“No, I will not touch that picture,” exclaimed
Tony, ‘‘ till you tell me all there is between your-
self and the Duke.”
‘“‘There is nothing,” she answered. ‘‘ If I had
thought you would have refused me so slight a
thing I would have gone to some one else.”
‘“‘ Stay, one moment, Florence, you shall not go in
anger, and rather than have you angry with me I
Ba: AN TTALIAN INTERDIOCT.
would do anything you wish. Hear me, Florence,
and do not turn away. I have been so happy since
you have been here, I cannot tell you all it has
meant to me, and seeing you day by day I have
learned to care for you very, very much. I love —
you Florence, it has been growing on me steadily
till now it has almost mastered me. I love you
and I want to ask you to become my wife.”
Florence stood in the centre of the room, pale as
death. The soft Italian breeze floated in laden
with the scent of many flowers, but she did not
heed it, she only shrank a little away from him.
Oh, don’t, Tony:
‘Don’t turn away from me, Florence, I think it
would kill me now ; give me some promise, some
hope that in time you will learn to care for me.”
‘“‘Tt is impossible. Oh, Tony, I would have
given worlds to have spared you this, but I can
never be anything more to you than I am now.”
‘But perhaps, some time you will learn to like
me better, we have always been such good friends,”
‘But friendship can never be love,” answered
Florence.
‘« And you would turn me away without a wear
without a single word of sympathy when my eiele
life is wrapped up in you. To me the sun shines
only for you, the earth goes round only for you, if
you had ever oe you would understand all that
you are to me.’
‘“‘T can understand it only too well,” she said
sadly.
Ss Florence, ” he ae suddenly struck by the
rod
AN ITALIAN INTERDICT. 89
hopeless look in her face, ‘‘is there anything be-
tween you and the Duke?”
‘*Why do you ask me that ?”
‘* Because I have a right to know, if he has been
playing against me; then I shall know what to
do.”
*“Have no fear ; the Duke would do nothing but
what was most honorable.”
**You speak warmly ; perhaps you have a high
regard for him ?”’
‘*T have.”
“May I ask why ?”
‘* Because in a most trying, mortifying and un-
_ pleasant position he bears himself most nobly.”
~ **You seem to have studied him.”
**T have only seen what no one could have BS
seeing.”
‘* Perhaps you are in love with him. Are you?”
**T do not think I am required to answer that
question to you or to any one until he asks me |
himself.” :
‘* And if he never does.”
‘Then it will go unanswered.”
Qh, Florence, can’t you change your mind ?”
“T wish I could, for your sake, but it is impos-
sible.”
Heartbroken he turned to go, but his strong
~ emotions conquered him, and he sank down ona
couch and, burying his fice in his hands, was con- ©
vulsed ah sobs.
Florence sprang to his side. During his love-
scene she had remained cold and embarrassed, but
AO AN ITALIAN INTERDICT. Rene
at this sign of evident distress it was too real not
to appeal to her at once.
“Tony! Tony! don’t go on like that! Try to
bear it like aman. Iam not worth your tears; it
grieves me terribly to see you like this. I never
Gee you cared so much.”
“You might have known I cared for you.”
‘*How should I? We were always laughing and
chaffing each other.”
‘‘T might have known you never cared for me.
I tried my very best, but have failed.”
‘‘It is not your fault, Tony; love cannot be
forced. Some day you will marry some sweet,
charming girl, and then you will forget all about
me:”’
‘* Never !”
‘“Oh, yes, you will. In the meantime don’t take
it so much to heart. JI am sincerely sorry. We
shall go back to our old relations as very good
friends. Do you agree?”
‘‘No,” he answered, ‘‘I do not want your friend- _
ship if I cannot have your love.”
‘“Very well; you may refuse it now, but there
will come a time when you will need and cherish
it and not despise it as you do now.”
Then she left him, and he sat for a long fine
pondering on what ae had said to him, till, rising
to pace the room, the Colonna painting caught his
eye. He pulled out several canvasses and set to
work. The picture he was painting did not occupy
much of his thoughts, but as he got it under way
anew, quieter feeling stole over him, and when it
AN ITALIAN INTERDICT. Al
was finished he nailed it over the original till no
one could have detected it.
Then the innocent painting, hiding this deceit,
was sent out into the world and took its journey
away from Rome, away from Italy, till it arrived
at the steamer that was to take over to the new
world the glory of the old masters.
CHAPTER VII.
And so the days went by one by one, quietly
and swiftly till the day of the great March Gras ‘
arrived. ee
Florence, who had been so reluctant to ciao was =
persuaded by Celia to wait.a week longer. — ee
On the morning of the great fete they left the i
house early in a body. oo
Celia saw at once that there was eae a
between Tony and Florence, for beyond the usual ;
courtesies they mutually ignored each other. It
worried her a good deal to see it, and she spoke to
her husband about it, but he ante said : © TLeave
them alone, Celia, it is the better way. If they —
have pnarrelien they will soon make up, and oune.,
lovers’ feelings are not to be forced.” ae
“T hope it will come right in time,” anaweee his : ig
wife, ‘“‘ but my mind misgives me, I. ape she has” ‘
not refused him.” AE a AP he is a
46 AN ITALIAN INTERDICT.
Florence, ‘but I think you hardly need it. What
more could you desire ?”
‘‘There are many things,” and he sighed. ‘*There
was once a man who desired a rich jewel. It
sparkled and shone in his sight and he wished to
possess it. It was not to be bought with money,
its value far exceeded that. How do you think he
should have won it ?” | ra
‘* He should have earned it,” she answered slowly.
‘‘T think if he desired it very much every new
obstacle in his path was so much more to over-
come. Ifa race is worth entering it is worth win-
ning, my lord.”
The Duke looked at her cure He had not
expected such an answer. Had she understood ?
~ They walked slowly through several of the rooms.
‘* How long does this last ?” asked Florence.
‘“Till midnight. When the clock strikes all
noise and revelry cease and everyone goes down on -
their knees. It is an impressive sight.”
‘* How well you know it all,” she exclaimed, *‘ I
have learned so much since I have been here to-
night. One should always see a people either in a
great misfortune or a great festival, such as this.”
‘We Italians,” he began, “have more feeling
than other nations, we can enjoy this so much,
and yet we can suffer much, too, and grandly.”
‘‘That is because all laughter is very close to
tears. Italy, like her people, is composed of two
extremes, the light side being the palaces, the dark
side the beggars. Is it not so?” —
“You have spoken wonderfully but I must leave
AN ITALIAN INTERDICT. 47
you now, here is Alessandro. Will you let me take
the flower of hope with me ?”
‘Tf you will,” she answered, holding out one of
the roses.
“Not that,’ he Bee evcd: ‘*The flower I wear
is invisible, and lies just over my heart.”
When he was gone, Florence was watching the
dancers when her unknown companion of the
morning accosted her.
“You see I am true to my word,” he began. ‘‘I
have found you at last. Come let us dance.”
Florence shook her head. |
“What! You will not? What have I done
that I should be treated so! You would not dare
refuse that Italian ! ”.
‘Sir, I desire you to leave me!” Florence was
at her haughtiest. |
*T will, then, but not till I have had my revenge.
You may think he is in love with you, but he
does not care a straw for you. I vowed once
he should not get ahead of me. Don’t scream for
Tony ; he is not here this time. I mean business,
and you shall dance with me if I have to kidnap
you to do it.”
With this terrible threat Florence was thoroughly
roused. Her companion came towards her and she,
with disgust and fright and horror on her face,
turned and with a quick movement glided out of
the room. She looked behind her, saw that he was
_ still following her, when with a sudden terror she
rushed out of the door and flew down the street as
if pursued _ all the furies.
CHAPTER VIII. ¥
Florence once in the street felt the soft night
breeze blow. upon her face. AJl was confusion.
What earlier in the day had been mere fun had
now degenerated into debauchery. Fires had been
lighted along the streets which made it almost as
light as day.
For a time she ran on in mad haste pursued in
her thoughts by the terrible man who had spoken
to her. A careless word as she passed was the only
notice the crowd gave her. At last overcome by —
fatigue and out of breath she paused and glanced
behind her. Her pursuer was nowhere to be seen,
how foolish she had been, she would turn back
and return to the ball-room. The air was growing
chilly too. She turned and paced through the long
Italian streets but they had an unfamiliar look, and
after growing foot-sore and weary she stopped
again, this time completely baffled.
She was a girl who at all times had been accus-
tomed to rely on her own resources, and now her
courage did not fail her, though a strange, indefi-
nite fear came over her. She resolved to wait till
she met a policeman and get him to take her back.
As she started again, a young boy accosted her.
= ome
* Vie
AN ITALIAN INTERDIOT. 49
‘“Where are you going, Signorita? You are too
young and too pr etty to be out alone so late as this.”
Without answering ‘she continued on her way,
and a loud ringing laugh from a small group of
bystanders followed.
‘‘Cospetto, I shan’t let that young bantam crow
over me,” said one of them, and with a leer that
was meant to be fascinating, he turned to Florence.
‘Have no fear, bella mia, I will protect you.
Just to receive a glance from your eyes is reward
enough.”
“You are too mild, Rinaldo,” said the first. ‘I
have not been in ne theatre for nothing. Listen
to this.”
‘* Signorita,” turning to Florence, ‘‘when my eye
lights on your face and form it seems as if Venus
had visited this sphere again.”
‘*Who is ripe for a true Carnival jest?” ex-
claimed Rinaldo, ‘“‘I am the mountain king, beauty
such as this blooms best in mountain fastnesses,
take her away.”
- Florence, who up to this time had been as one
completely stunned, suddenly roused herself at this
last daring project.
Her only escape lay in slipping away from them
into the darkness. Either they guessed her design
or knew it by intuition, for, with a sudden move-
ment, Rinaldo sprang forward and three or four
others joined hands leaving Florence in the centre
of a ring and began singing at the top of their
voices an Italian song, the refrain of which was :
‘*Ta-ran, ta-ran, ta-ra.”
b) ?
50 AN ITALIAN INTERDICT,
Florence covered her face with her hands and
sobbed as if her heart would break. How would ~
all this end ? te
All at once a voice she knew well sounded onher
ear.
‘“ What is all this? For shame! do you ae no
better than to frighten an unprotected girl? Go —
home, all of you, and find some better employment a
for yourselves than this?”
They reluctantly desisted and went singing down.
the street, and when they had completely gone —
Florence held up her head and encountered the
Duke’s glance. ;
‘‘Miss Harrington, is it possible ! |” he exclaimed, <7
‘* How came you here?” =
Welcome as he always was to her, he was pli: :
go now. os
‘‘T am lost,” she answered. ‘‘I was frightened ‘
in the ball-room by some one, so I ran out and ~
tried to get back again, but could not find my way.” —
‘“And you have walked all this distance ects
-my poor child !” |
“Take me back ; I am so tir ed, and Celia will be |
looking for me.” .
‘“The ball is over now, and we are miles from —
your home. Come with me ; it is only a short dis- —
tance farther.” | Luar tae
Va:
=
a, en A gel
oa | ae OR MS re rte ren eens
mi Paes eaasie
re eet
hae SU
Ay? anit -
eat
a
She obeyed mechanically. | :
They proceeded in silence for a time til ree © it
saw in alarm that the houses were growing farther __
and farther apart and they seemed to be on the
outskirts of the city. She stopped suddenly, =
ee wie a" sae OT 4455 m
* ’ Bete eg a : .
AN ITALIAN INTERDICT. S|
**M. le Duc,” she began, almost imperiously, ‘I
cannot go farther till you tell me where we are.
going, it is growing late and we are on a very
lonely road.”
‘“‘Can you not trust me? We will be at our
destination very soon, Signorita, have no fear. Do
you remember how you trusted me on the plank
that day? Did I not bring you over safely ? _Trust
me now in the same way and all will be well.”
She looked up at him. He was bending towards
her earnestly, his dark eyes soft and tender and
wistful, the golden circlet still on his brow, his
beauty transforming him, while the noble, the
proud, the chivalrous bearing won Florence.
‘**T will trust you,” she said, ‘“‘ take me wherever
you will.”
They proceeded for some little time till the Duke
stopped before the door of a tiny cottage and
knocked.
Presently an old woman appeared.
“Qattarina, Cattarina,” exclaimed the Duke,
**open the door quickly.”
** It is the caro maestro,” said the old woman and
with feverish haste opened the door and led them
into a small but scrupulously clean room.
Florence sank down exhausted, and Cattarina
bent over her.
**Poor Signorita! Poor child, she has praelicdl
far, perhaps. I will get something to bathe her
_ head.” — | |
** Cattarina,” said the Duke, ‘‘the Signorita is
59 AN ITALIAN INTERDICT. |
weak and faint; have you anything in the way of
food ?” ee eee eae |
‘‘T have some gruel that I can warm up in an
instant ; she shall have it as soon as it can be pre-
pared.” —
She bustled away to the kitchen.
‘*Miss Harrington,” began the Duke, ‘** Cattarina
is an old servant of mine. You are in good hands
if you will stay here for the remainder of the
night. I will go and tell your friends you are in
safe keeping.”
“Oh, don’t leave me here alone! I should much
rather return home. What would Celia think ? Is
there no way? Cannot you take me back?”
*“T will try. Stay here and rest a De longer ;
I shall not be gone long.”
He passed out and Florence was left alone. Not
for long, however. Old Cattarina returned with
the gruel, coaxed Florence to take it as if she
had been a child, then tried to persuade her to lie
down ; then she put on her own hat and cloak,
murmuring words ip herself of which the only in- —
telligent ones were ‘*‘ caro maestro.”
Presently the Duke returned, nodded to Cattari-
na, and turned to Florence.
‘‘T have a carriage outside ; come, you wil soon _
be home again, now.”
Florence obeyed mechanically She and Catta-
rina entered the carriage and the Duke closed the
door as Florence murmured a faint ‘‘ thank you.”
They passed through labyrinths of dark streets,
AN ITALIAN INTERDIOT. _ 53
strewn with the remains of the Carnival, and at
last arrived at Celia’s.
When the carriage stopped, the Duke opened
the door again. How he got there Florence never
knew, and soon she had her arms around Celia and
they were all talking at once.
*“Good-night,” said the Duke, extending his
hand. ‘‘I shall drop in soon to see how to-night’s
Carnival and your own venturesomeness affected
you, Miss Harrington. Rinaldo and his companions
came near getting the best of you.
‘Ta ran, ta-ran, ta-ra,”’
do you remember ?”
“Shall I ever forget !” answered Florence, with
a burning blush.
The adieux were soon said, and Florence, over-
- come by sleep and fatigue, retired to her own room,
~ feeling that for once in her life she had seen a Ro-
man Carnival, and that since she had quitted it
that morning a life-time had passed.
Several days later, as she was sitting in the court, —
Tony came to her. They had intuitively avoided
each other since that memorable day when she had
blighted all his hopes.
He seated himself beside her in silence.
Florence looked at him. He seemed pale, worn,
and weary. All her woman’s pity was roused.
* What is it, Tony ?” she said.
‘* Florence, once you tendered me your friend-
ship. I, like a fool, flung it from me, and you
Ce
54. AN ITALIAN INTERDICT.
said—I remember it so well, how you looked when
you said: ‘There will come a time when you will
not despise it.’ Is it too late now?”
‘‘T knew you would do this, Tony,” she answer-
ed. ‘‘I can give you the most sincere friendship,
_ but do not ask me for my love.” |
‘‘ All that is past now. I was moved by mad in-
fatuation, jealousy—I know not what, and I care
not. Florence, you have given me your friendship
and Iam going to put it to the test. J want you
to help me as only you know how.”
‘“‘Tt is about Miss Blount, is it not, Tony ?”
‘“How did you guess it so soon ?”
‘‘T am not blind. But go on; what is it you |
want me to do?”
‘*Oh, Florence, I have been so miserable ! Grace
and I have had a violent quarrel. She was jealous
and I got angry ; then she was angry, too, and al-—
Gas I feel ashamed to look her’ in the face
again.’ es
‘Then you really care for her, Tony ?”
‘Oh! so much, Florence. For our friendship—
for my sake—go to her, tell her I am not angry,
entreat her to make up with me; say anything ;
use your utmost tact; tell her this miserable quar-
rel must cease.”
Florence paused a moment before she answered.
‘Tony, you have asked for my friendship and I
would willingly do anything for you ; but this you
ask me, I cannot. This is no place for an outsider.
Go yourself to Grace Blount; tell her what you
have told me. She is waiting for you to do this.”
AN ITALIAN INTERDIOT. DD
‘*T will take your advice. Florence, you are an
angel !”
‘*Oh, no; not an angel,” she said, with a smile.
‘Only a ae 3
MT Lace eee ye
Pe SS RGAE Se, Men pl cole
*
a
CHAPTER IX.
n 1
vt
a
They were in the Colosseum one warm moon- .
light night. They, consisted of Celia, Alessandro, a
Tony, Grace, Florence and Adrian. a)
After eee about admiring everything —
they stopped to rest, and Florence, seated herself —_
in a wide embrasure of what had once been a
window, while the Duke, leaning against the
framework in the shadow, might well have been ee
. taken for one of the statues of the place. =a
‘‘ How beautiful this is,” said Florence, who was
always affected by the subtle Italian moonlight,
‘and to think I am going away so soon. Ah!
how I shall miss it all.” ae
The Duke started suddenly. 3 = oh ae
“You going away, Miss Harrington ; “where 4
could you go to ?” — ay
‘““To my home, to America, you forget that Tam
only a stranger here.” a.
‘“But you have liked it here, are fond of Rome, a
perhaps, are you not ? y
“ Very fond of it and I can never forget all you ~
have done for me, particularly that night of ine
AN ITALIAN INTERDICT. 57
Carnival. I cannot fully express my thanks, I am
very grateful, believe me.”
“Will you promise me never to forget these
times that we have been together, we have been so
happy, it has been the greatest pleasure of my life.
When I think how soon the memory plays us false
it almost frightens me. One day I see you sitting
before me here in the moonlight, the next, one
hundred miles of ocean divides us and soon nothing
remains, not even the ability to remember it all.”
“Ttisa pity,” she answered simply, ‘‘I should —
like never to move from this spot, the moonlight,
the shadows, the quiet of it all strikes right down
to my heart ; I think I could sit here forever.”
She was not looking at him but straight before
her out in the moonlight, her clear, tranquil eyes
dwelling lingeringly and almost caressingly on the
scene.
“Could you be content to live here always?
Could you care enough for me to link your life to
mine ? | .
Florence rose and turned towards him.
‘“What are you saying? Why do you ask me
these things ?” —
‘“T love you,” he said passionately. ‘Could you
care enough for me to accept so worthless a crea-
ture as lam and make me happy for the rest of
my life?”
He was bending over her and as she raised her
eyes to his they were filled with tears.
“You have done me too much One she said,
58 * AN ITALIAN INTERDICT.
brokenly, ‘‘what have I ever done to win so great
a love?”
‘“Then you will not refuse me, yo will ‘try to
care for me a little ?”
‘*T will give you all I have and all J am, my fu-
ture, my life,” and more slowly, ‘* my love.”
‘May God Mea me to keep them worthily,” he
said, fervently, ‘‘ah, Florence you have made me
more than happy to-day, I ask but one thing more.’
‘Tt is granted,” she said, smiling.
He bent down and kissed her.
‘*This is our betrothal, how the moon shines, it
is a good omen, happiness will follow us.”
‘* Tt could not be otherwise,” she answered.
* * * * * *
Several days later the Duke gave another of his
small dinners at his palace. He had invited only
those whom he and Florence knew best. When
they were all assembled he rose and approached
Florence.
‘‘ Let me escort you, you are the euest of Hoe
to-night, though Tony and Miss Blount think they
have it all to themselves.”
Tony and Grace had announced their engage-
ment that very morning.
‘‘T shall be looked upon as a regular matrimonial ae
6é
agent,” said Celia, ‘‘ all these engagements having
taken place under my roof. I shall be besieged
with mothers with marriageable daughters ; 1 might
make quite a fortune out of it.”
AN ITALIAN INTERDICT. 59
‘‘ Florence,” said Tony to her, ‘‘ your advice was
just what I wanted, I did just as you told me and
it all came out right. You don’t feel jealous that
you have only second place, do you ?”
‘* How could I, Tony,” she said, ‘‘ I chose second
when I might have been. first.”
“Will you give us a toast?’ said the Duke to
Alessandro.
Whereupon he rose and proposed :
‘‘' The three graces, as represented here.”
Then, |
**Kach to his own particular grace.”
The toasts were drunk with much merriment
_and in the middle of it Giovanni gave the Duke a
card. He glanced hurriedly at it, then said :
‘‘Friends you must excuse me a moment as
important business demands my instant attention.”
As he left the room Florence followed him with
her eyes, and presently Giovanni returned and re-
quested Alessandro and Tony to join the Duke.
The meal ended abruptly. Celia and Grace held
a low conversation but Florence waited in vain for
the return of the rest of the party. Finally, curi-
osity prompted her to look in and see what they
were doing.
She looked, and saw the picture she had bought,
in the middle of the room, Tony’s canvas torn off
it and on the ground.
The Duke stood, deadly pale, while a man,
strangely familiar to her, was saying :
“You are all three to be put under the penalty
of the law. You, my lord,” turning to the Duke,
60 AN ITALIAN INTERDICT.
‘for allowing this painting to pass out of the
country ; you,” to Alessandro, “‘for aiding and
abetting some dealer; and you,” to Tony, ‘for
your share in this nefarious affair, for cheating the -
Italian government.” 3
‘‘ What does this mean ?” said Florence, sudden-
ly advancing. ‘‘This painting is mine. J bought
it and had it charged to my bankers. This gentle-
man was my agent, and this one I forced to the
— contrivance that has been discovered for taking it
out of the country.” |
‘You did this!” said the Duke, advancing. But —
the official, with a wave of his hand, checked him.
‘* Silence!” he said. ‘‘ Now young woman, who-
ever you are, proceed. Am I to andere you
thought out this design alone ?” |
‘*T did, most assuredly.”
e Ps you will pay the highest penalty ten this, ‘a
as you are the instigator.” —
‘‘She shall not,” exclaimed the Duke, ‘‘I pro- ee 3
test——”
**You have nothing to say, rendaenVee the law
still Hee its clutches on you for your part in this
affair.’
‘*He is innocent,” said Florence, ‘‘ you are accus-
ing him unjustly, he had no idea that painting was _ es
leaving the country nor did he know that I was
the purchaser. You represent the Italian law, I
think it would be better, if instead of accusing. — ca
innocent persons you would inventsomelaw where
Italian noblemen can gain a livelihood instead of —
AN ITALIAN INTERDICT. 61
starving, when one painting sold would feed them
for more than a year.”
Celia and Grace now came forward.
‘Why, Mr. Felini,” exclaimed Celia, ‘‘is it you
who is making all this trouble? I have not seen
you since I have been married ; How have you
been ?””
‘* Broken- Reacted: as usual, of course,” he ans-
wered, ‘‘ when you deserted me.”
‘*“T do not allow that now. I want you to meet
my friend. Florence, this is Mr. Felini.”
_ “T have never met him before,” she said, ‘‘but he
has persecuted me enough during the carnival.”
Turning to the Duke, ‘‘ this is the man I ran away
from.”
‘**Cospetto ! was that you ?’ exclaimed Mr. Felini,
‘‘I beg you ten thousand pardons. I thought it
was Celia all the time. You were dressed alike.”
_ ** What are you going to do with me,” she asked,
** does the Italian government imprison offenders ?’
**Sometimes, but you will escape with a heavy
fine. You are the cleverest girl I ever met.”
_ The Duke took up the painting and went to the
gallery. Florence followed him.
‘** Now that we two are alone together,” he said,
‘‘T want to thank you for all you have done for
me, you championed me most nobly just now too,
it was more than I expected and more than my
right.”
“You yourself gave me that right, ”* she said,
raising her head proudly, ‘‘the other night ey
we were in the Colosseum ; do you forget that ?”
62 AN ITALIAN INTERDICT, |
‘© And to think I never should have known about
the picture but for an accident. Oh, Florence,
you must have cared for me very much even “then,
to have risked so much. ‘Tell me, had you learned
to like me even then ?”
‘‘T cared for you always,’
ing at her own confession.
“Florence,” he said, after a pause, ‘I have no
ring to give you and you know why I cannot buy
you one. Will you take these pearls instead ?
See, they are fit for a princess. They are the first
of my few possessions that I shall soon bestow on
you. Ihave but two requests to make, first, that
you wear my pearls, and secondly, that you call
me Adrian.”
He held to her a string of priceless pearls.
” she answered, blush-
‘‘They are indeed beautiful,” said Florence, a —
little sadly, ‘‘but do you not realize that pearls
mean tears ?” :
‘‘We Italians say that they mean good wishes.
Come, let me clasp them on for you; they are not
whiter than your own neck.”
‘*T am not afraid of tears with you to share them
with me, nor of anything the future may bring
forth. How often these pearls must have played
a part in just such a scene as we are going through
to-day !”
‘*Many times indeed! Let me clasp fhe on for
you. If every pearl were a good wish from me to-
you, you would have strings of pa reaching to
your feet.”
He clasps them about her neck, eg she stands,
és
AN ITALIAN INTERDICT. 63
smiling the while, happy as a gay young girl; but
that circlet round her neck is the first bond placed
there by the hand of love. She is no longer free,
but if her chains are all so light and silken, and are
covered by a jewel as priceless, she is indeed happy.
No longer a gay and careless girl, but a woman
standing on the threshold of the highest estate she
can be called to, pausing, ere she enters, to cast a
last retrospective glance on her vanishing girl-
hood.
The Prince of Voronzoff.
The Prince of Voronzoff.
CHAPTER I.
“THE BETROTHAL.”
It was the night of one of the large balls at St.
Petersburg. The evening was far advanced and
drawing to a close, for Sue UNEe temporal must
have an end. |
The music was rising and falling and its soft
dreamy cadences fell soothingly upon the ear. In
the conservatory, however, the music was heard
but faintly, mingled with the sound of the plash-
ing of many fountains. In that bower of perpet-
ual summer, a young girl, tall and graceful, was
seated, languidly moving a large fan to and fro
and listening to the ardent words of her com-
panion. He wasa man of middle age, dark and
swarthy, whose haughty bearing, if nothing else,
stamped him one of the nobility. Just at present
he was trying to change his hauteur into some- —
thing like supplication.
‘Sl tee oS oe oa
5 At tte ne “we 9
ont ae OE ae
é ;
68 THE PRINCE OF VORONZOF®,
‘‘Ah, Sonia, were you mine, my life would be
turned into one eternal Heaven,” were his passion-
ate words, ‘‘men call me rich and powerful, but
were I to lay a kingdom at your feet I would deem
Pg ~ ws eee
JABS ff ¢ <3 toe one oe
it small reward for possession of a jewel so price- ee
less.”
The young girl rose.
‘‘These are wild words to address to such as I,
' the Prince of Voronzoff flatters Sonia Valovitch.”
‘* Flatters ! nay, flattery were not possible to use __
& ae
to such as you, 1 am speaking my innermost feel-
ings. I lay my heart, my soul, my fortune at your
feet. I love you! Sonia, can you make this
sacrifice for me ?”
‘*Oh, Alexis, to become your wife will be my
oa happiness though I am all unworthy of —
you.”
‘“My darling, ” and he kissed her on the forehead
many times. The young girl looked at her lover
with love as well as tears in her eyes.
‘*'You are rich, so Sy rich, and I am sorry, it a
spoils all the romance.’
“ And I am glad, dearest, for your sake, so very.
glad, that now you shall share it all with me.”
They talked on for some time longer, and when be
they rose to leave the conservatory, Sonia touched
Alexis lightly with her fan. She pointed to the
decoration on his breast, given him by the Czar.
‘* You have all,” she said, almost sadly, * ‘wealth,
rank and honors, even this badge is a token of “a
esteem.”
‘*T think more of this decoration than of all the
THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF., 69
rest, yet would they all count as nothing if with
them I could not win the bride of my heart.”
He extended his arm and they passed into the
ball-room. —
* Many an admiring eye was turned upon them,
as the tall, graceful girl and the distinguished look-
ing suitor passed through the rooms. He looked
fond, triumphant, but Sonia Valovitch had a love
beyond mere looks. She loved ardently, passion-
ately, without rhyme or reason ; such love should
-be only for immortals, for it brings to us poor
earthly beings only sorrow and heart pangs, and
the object who has awakened it little knows the
heat of the fire that consumes all in its way.
CHAPTER II.
THE MARRIAGE.
The courtship was all too short to both lovers,
and as the time drew near for the marriage, both
felt instinctively that they were leaving the hap- —
piest period of their lives behind them. The cere-
mony was to be performed very quietly at the home
_of Alexis in the country, in the presence of a few
friends, for the Prince’s mother was. paralyzed and
desired to witness the marriage of her only son.
Accordingly, on the day set apart for it,all was
in readiness, and the friends and relatives began to oe
assemble. 2a 4
“The Count of Voronzoff !” was announced, and a
as Alexis looked at the new-comer his brow con-
tracted into a frown, his color heightened with
displeasure, and, instead of advancing to greet his
cousin, he only said in his cold, proud voice, with —
additional hauteur: . 7
“Nicholas, how is this? In civilian dress! I
had expected at least you would have done me the
honor of appearing as befits your rank, “ ee
THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF. (aa
»**My dear cousin,” answered Nicholas, with cut-
ting emphasis, ‘‘ I relied on your hospitality of re-
ceiving me here in whatsoever garb I presented
myself ; I see I was mistaken.”
Sonia stood by wondering what there could be
about the young man to make Alexis so very rude,
for at the first glance it could be seen that the two
men inwardly hated each other, but Sonia only
saw a young man, very tall, very dark and very
handsome.
‘* Alexis,” said Nicholas, “are you really going.
to get married to-day ?”
“Certainly,” said Alexis, growing pale, ‘“‘are
you mad ? why should I not ?”
‘“You should know best. However, since it is
_ your will let it be done, I am the last to question
it, the will of the Prince of Voronzoff is, as we all
know, supreme.”
_ Nicholas moved on, and Alexis, with clouded
brow, turned to some new arrivals.
“Don’t look so stormy, Alexis,” said Sonia, in
her soft voice, when they were once more compar-
atively by themselves, ‘‘who is your cousin, and
why should he object to our-marriage ”
** My cousin is the Count of Voronzoff, an officer
in the imperial guards, the two branches of the
family have always quarrelled with each other
-since the days of the middle ages, the cause of the
quarrel is forgotten but the quarrel remains, he is
angry at my marriage because he is my heir and
has always looked upon himself as such, now, my
_ Sonia, forget him,”
Yo ee Ca On Onna > 2
NS hg ih Las ye rege a lar
19 THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFR,
Much as Sonia tried to obey Alexis, Nicholas
came again and again to her thoughts with a mix-
ture of curiosity and fear. But she was destined ~
to see more of him, for after the ceremony he was
with them again.
‘*My cousin should be the happiest of men for
having procured so lovely a bride, you must not
indulge oe too much or he will be quite spoiled I
assure you.”
‘*T am afraid it will be just the other way and —
that he will indulge me too much, » Sonia ans-
wered.
‘‘Such a thing were not possible, sf than he said
in a lower tone and rapidly, ‘‘you must get Alexis
to bring you to St. Petersburg next winter.”
‘‘Alexis has already planned where to spend the |
winter without the help of his thoughtful cousin,”
answered the Prince, with a sneer. —
‘‘Then I can prophesy your winter will be a
most pleasant one, for whatever the Prince plans is
sure to be most charming,” and with a low bow
Nicholas passed on in the crowd.
CHAPTER IIT.
BEHIND THE SCENES.
The guests were now departing one by one, until
finally the last had gone and darkness had shut in
upon the scene.
The mother of Alexis called Sonia to her, and
taking her fresh young face between her thin, frail
hands uttered a fervent blessing. ‘‘ This is the
happiest day I have had for many years, and I
thank God I have been preserved to see Alexis
married to one so worthy of him.”
‘So much above him you mean mother,” said
Alexis, ‘‘Sonia is not to be compared with ordinary
mortals.” :
‘*T have no doubt that Sonia is all she should be
and more too,” answered the mother, ‘‘all I ask
of you, my dear, is to be good to my boy.” Sonia
blushed with all this praise, and kissing the old
lady a warm good night she and Alexis were left
alone. |
“Sonia,” said Alexis, coming over to where she
sat, “this has been the happiest day of my life.
74 THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF,
I have one request to make to you. Will you not
play for me ?”’
She went to the piano and soon the soft melodi-
ous strains of the sR Mozart re-echoed
through the room.
Sonia played for some time as one ina dream, for
her thoughts were following the events of the day,
and soon she left the piano and seated herself on a
‘ stool at her pea feet.
‘Your cousin,” she began, hesitatingly, % N icho- *
las, why were you so cross to him to-day ?” ;
‘‘Happy Nicholas! to be so much in your
thoughts ; have I not already told you there exists —
an old quarrel between our families 2” :
‘“Yes; but even so, what does it avail to be Rept
up so year after year? Oh! Alexis, for my sake —
give up this quarrel, go to your cousin and tell him
you forgive him everything and will be friends
with him, begin this new life with this resolution, —
and you will never regret it. If you would please
- me, let this miserable feud you neither understand
come to an end.”
‘‘Sonia!” said Alexis, in surprise, ‘“what are
you saying? You do not understand si things: .
' What you ask is altogether impossible !’
‘And you will not grant my request?” — |
‘‘T cannot. Listen, Sonia; I will explain to you ~
some things and, remember once for all, this is the.
last time I ever-want my cousin or the quarrel re-
ferred to again in my presence. I may as well tell
you, Sonia, as you are one of the family now, what —
my cousin’s character really is. Heisavery hand-
Fi
~
=a”. ae Ge Set? Bee >)
ee te >
ete 2 ~
THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF. 75
some fellow, it is true, but so wild! I will spare
you a detail of his escapades, but what is your
opinion of a man who, although he passes for a
single man, has actually a wife and children ?”
‘CA wife?”
‘A real, true wife. He was married to her by
all the laws of Church and State a little more than
a year ago, and supports her on the Voronzoff es-
tate. Weare a proud race and can ill brook such ©
a thing, though of course we keep it a secret as it
would bring dishonor on our name.”
** A wife and children,” murmured Sonia.
‘“‘T have only told you this to warn you of him ;
you must not mention it to a living soul. Even
my mother, on account of her delicate health, is
ignorant oe it; the aber ee would kill her out-
right.”
**T will never betray your confidence, Alexis. It
is almost too horrible to be true.” And with this
Sonia bade her husband good night and retired to
her sleeping apartment.
Alexis sat fora long time before the fire, after
his wife had left him, evidently in deep thought.
‘Ah! now my cousin, the Count, you may have
laid your plans well; but, I flatter myself, I am one
too many for you,” and so saying the Prince of
Voronzoff retired for the night,
CHAPTER IV.
PRINCE AND PRINCESS.
A year had passed, and Sonia and Alexis found
themselves again at Danilovski. A year which ——
had brought only happiness to this loving pair, and — dele
when Winter came again Sonia presented her hus- eS
band with a little son.
It was Spring, and Danilovski looked at its best,
just putting on its verdant, mantle. The family
is assembled in the breakfast- room, breakfast is
over, Alexis is looking out of the window, his
mother looking over her correspondence, Sonia
reading the newspaper.
‘*T declare it feels almost like Summer itself! 199
said Alexis. ‘‘Sonia, I hope soon to convert you
into liking this beautiful spot better than your dear
St. Petersburg.”
‘‘T am afraid, then, you will have to make it
very attractive for me. St. Pelee admits of
no rival !”’
‘‘That is a point, then, on which we diten To
me, St. Petersburg is a place only to work in.
While I am there, I am busy from morning till a
THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF. cy
night; while here, you have nothing to do but
watch the progress of nature all day long. But
how is this ?” taking a note from the floor. ‘‘ Mer-
ciful heavens!” turning suddenly pale, ‘‘it is in
Nicholas’s handwriting. What can he want here ?”
and he glanced almost involuntarily at Sonia.
“What can this mean? he says: ‘ Your favor
just received, and I shall be with you on the
eleventh, it isso kind of youto remember me.’ Bah,
I have no patience with him,” and Alexis tore the
paper into countless fragments and a them
upon the floor. |
‘* Alexis,” pleaded the feeble voice of his mother,
- “listen to me for a moment, I have asked Nicholas
to come and spend a few weeks with us, Poleska is
coming and you know he always had a fancy for
her.”
‘*T don’t care, he can do his love making any-
where but in my house, and it was very wrong in
you to invite him here knowing as you do my
opinion of him.”
‘“‘ Alexis, Alexis, do not speak like this, I had
hoped to bring you together again, your father was
anxious to heal over the breach, but, he died before
it was accomplished.”
With this the mother sighed and was ween
away for she could not walk.
_ As soon as her attendants were gone, Alexis
turned to Sonia, ‘‘ Sonia, remember what I told you
of Nicholas, he is a man no one can trust too far,
he is about to become an unwelcome guest beneath
our roof, you will have to treat him as if you had
WI cca Se ag een all eet ee Ce ae ys
eee ue ee eS te SReeiol Ps
pe oe eee
78 THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF. |
heard nothing at all against him, don’t be cold and
distant to him, treat him just as you would any
other, only this, you cannot be too careful not to
let him even suspect you know his secret, if you do.
we are ruined, there is no tellmg what he would do.”
Alexis said this with so much genuine feeling
that Sonia laughed merrily. |
‘“My dear Alexis, one would think you were
really afraid of Nicholas, from the way you talk.” .
‘“‘ Afraid of him ?’ said Alexis, nervously, “* why
should I be? I, that is, how ridiculous, what has
the Prince of Voronzoff to fear from such as he,” he
added with his usual hauteur.
But here the baby was is brought i in and Sonia ae we
him in her arms.
‘You have not seen our bale yet to-day, Alexis,”’
she said, ‘‘is he not a bright little fellow ?” .
‘“Oh, I suppose so,” said Alexis, a “Tam
not a dee of babies.” .
‘Do you not want to hold him ? see, ‘a8 hbtle. = 2
fellow wants to go to you ?”
‘*T hold him,” said Alexis, with ill hipred: sur-
pr ise, ‘* I don’t sere: how to conde an infant, even —
if he is the future Prince of Voronzoff.” —
And he turned and left the room,
CHAPTER V.
CONSPIRACY.
Nicholas was seated in his small apartment in St.
Petersburg, enjoying one of his few hours of lei-
sure, when the servant announced, ‘‘A gentleman
to see you, sir.”
‘*Show him up,” said Nicholas, rising.
The visitor entered, a tall lean man, who looked
as if he belonged to one of the lower classes.
‘*T am sorry to trespass on your valuable time,
Count,” he began, ‘‘but affairs can rest in their
present state no longer, something must be done.”
** Well, I have done all I can, Ivan,” answered
the Count, wearily. ,
‘“‘Look here, Count, you have always been
friendly towards me and I don’t want to make a
scandal, but, I declare if something is not done my
poor sister will starve, what right have high-born
to marry the like of us if they are ashamed of it
afterwards, I have half a mind to go the Prince
of Voronzoff myself.” )
“You must not do that, indeed you must not,”
exclaimed Nicholas, ‘“‘he must not hear another.
80 THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF.
word of this, remember you are bound to secrecy,
come, name-your sum and I will pay it we
for peace.”
The man named a sum and Nicholas counted Si
the money and threw it across the table. _
‘May the good Lord preserve you,” said ee
man fervently.
‘Come now, none of that, Ivan, remember your
God and mine are not one.”
‘*T wish you, Count, who are so good in so many
ways, could be drawn more towards God.”
‘You weary me, Ivan,” said Nicholas, languidly,
‘‘ how often have I told you that to me there is no
God.” areas
‘‘Heaven forbid! sir. Good night.”
‘‘T am rid of him for one month at least,” sighed
Nicholas as he put on his cloak, and soon his steps
led him far from the courts of fashion into the
gloomier thoroughfares of want and depression.
He entered a small house that had been the scene ©
of many conspiracies and several more men like
himself worked all night to accomplish their de-
signs. In the early gray of the morning Nicholas
walked home feeling more than seeing the beauties —
of the early spring morning, and he heaved a sigh
as he thought of the millions of souls languishing —
in Siberian dens powerless, and at the mercy of
only one human being ‘like themselves, for a Ozar,
be he ever so mighty, is still only a man after all.
CHAPTER VI.
THE PRINCE’S HEIR.
The day came for the arrival of the Count of Vo-
ronzoff at the castle. Poleska was already there,
and she and Sonia became friends at once.
It was a warm Spring afternoon, and the little
group did not have to wait long for the new arri-
val. Soon the horses were heard on the road, and
in another instant, as they drove up at full speed
to the door, Nicholas sprang out with agility and —
stood on the threshold, an unwelcome guest. Sonia
stepped forward.
“You have arrived just at the moment,” she
said. ‘‘Such exactness is surprising.”
*‘You are not accustomed to military men,” said
Alexis. ‘‘They are compelled to be always on
time, you know. But come in, Nicholas ; we must
not stand here.”
They entered the drawing-room, and as they ad-
vanced, a young girl arose and greeted’ Nicholas.
‘How do you do, Nicholas ; you have not for-
gotten Poleska Mikaelovitch ? »
89 THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF. .
‘Forgotten you, Poleska ; that were impossible !
I might not have recognized you, though, you are
so much of a young lady.”
‘“And do you regret it ?”
“Regret it, no! It is useless recalling the past.
I only hope he young lady will fill the place of the :
little girl I knew and played with.”
“That you may tell me one month from now, 3
but come, Sonia is pouring you out a cup of tea.”
This was the reception Nicholas received, no one —
bade him welcome, no one said they were glad he
had come.
He slowly drank his se Sonia uaa atchita vee
once or twice with a feeling of dislike mingled with
fear.
“You have come to a very quiet place, Nicholas,”
said Alexis, in his cold, hard tone, ‘‘I fear you will
find it hard work to pass your time.” |
‘*T am not afraid of that,’ answered Nicholas’ |
‘“any place the Prince of Voronzoff delights in
will surely find favor even with me.”
Alexis looked at his cousin and bit his lips, ae |
as he hated him he felt Nicholas had the better of —
him.
‘“ And now,” said the Count, as he finished ee
tea, ‘1 should like, above all things. to see the BON. om
and heir, may I, Sonia 1” : ey
Sonia idok ad at Alexis. | ce.
“Well, I, what do you think, Alexis (Maia ee
** Cer fainle. have him brouene * then turning to ~
the servant, ‘‘the Count of Voronzoff desires to see _
am i ke Fe ee te Mle ie ao i
Parte Sc Bi ae |
Pan —
Shits: THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFP.
the child, tell the nurse to bring him without de-
lay. ”
The child was brought and the nurse car ried him |
straight to Nicholas, who took him in his arms.
Sonia felt a pang when she saw the helpless in-
fant in his arms; Alexis, though evidently proud
of his little boy, seldom took any notice of him,
always giving as his excuse—‘‘ he knew. nothing
about babies,” and here was Nicholas holding the
child with no ungentle hand, yet this little morsel
of humanity was the only obstacle between him —
and the title he had looked forward to.
He gazed at it for some time in silence, then
handed it back to the nurse, saying at the same
time to Sonia, ‘* Poor little fellow, he looks delicate,
he is named Alexis, of course.”
‘* No,” said Sonia, ‘‘ Alexis did not want the child
named for him so I called him Sergius, I did
want to name him Ivan, but Alexis said he had
unpleasant associations with the name.”
_ Both men started.
‘‘Why, Sonia, where did you get that idea ?”’
asked Alexis.
“Why you yourself told 1 me so?” said Sonia, sur-
prised.
‘Did I, well, then, or course I meant it.”
‘Very likely 2 ae Nicholas. .
.‘* What ?’ asked Alexis, sharply.
‘“‘T only said that what the Prince of Voronzoft
_says he means.”
CHAPTER VII.
THE NIHILIST.
‘*Sonia,” said Alexis, when they were alone, ‘“‘T
did not like the way you treated Nicholas, why were —
you so distant to him ?’ |
‘* Distant, was I, Alexis, [am sorry if I displeased
you, but after what you told me of him I could not
do otherwise.”
‘* Merciful Heavens,” exclaie Alexis, ‘‘ are you
still child enough to show a person you do not like
them ?”’
‘“‘T always show my feelings, Alexis, I PATROL
help it.”
‘Well, now, I am sorry I spoke to you, forget it —
my Sonia, my cousin is one of us now, for a time
at least, he is very fair on the surface but in his
heart the Count of Voronzoff is an atheist and a
schemer, he owns to no God and even turns against
the Czar.” |
‘“Thank you, Alexis,” said Nicholas, entering,
‘‘for giving Sonia so good a description of me. I
hope she realizes what a really bad man I am.”
‘*Then you own it ?’ she said.
THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF. er oe
a Berainty, I do, it would not make me less bad
to hide it.”
‘“ But you surely are not an atheist ?”
“That is rather a strong term, but it is true that
I acknowledge no God.”’
‘*How dreadful,” sighed Sonia.
‘“Ts he not a terrible man,” said Alexis smiling,
fortunately there are few like him.”
‘“‘ And do you not like the Czar? Are you really
cs fen ene
‘A Nihilist,” answered Nicholas, ‘‘ yes, I am a
Nihilist.”
‘* You have it from his own lips,” said her hus-
band. ‘‘ You may be comparatively safe now, but
there is one place where all such go, most inevita-
bly,” :
‘“ Where is that ?’ asked Nicholas.
‘* Siberia,” answered Alexis.
At the mention of that dreadful place both men
shuddered, then Alexis said, ‘‘ Nicholas, you must
not tell my poor wife any more about yourself, she
is not prepared for so much depravity,” and with
these words he left the room.
“T would not like to think you altogether des- —
pised. me,” said Nicholas, in a tone it was well
Alexis did not hear, for Nicholas could be very
fascinating when he chose. ‘‘ Force of circum-
stances have made me what I am.”
Sonia looked at him for some moments in silence,
then said earnestly, ‘‘ but you will not be always
like that, it would be dreadful, you will ee to be
_ better, will ie not ?”
86 THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF.
‘‘1 fear I can never change now, Sonia.’ z
‘‘Oh, don’t say that, perhaps if I helped you a
little, may I? I don’t halieee I could convert you,
but won’t you give me leave to try.” — |
‘Certainly, you may try as much as you tes
but you will find it a difficult task. Iam adamant.”
‘We shall see,” answered Sonia, gaily, ‘‘ you
may laugh, but I think it is just what you need.” —
‘Tt is just what you need,” murmured Nicholas,
when she had gone. ‘‘Just what I need, well,
perhaps so, but, Sonia Voronzoff, you do not know
me yet, the only way to my soul, if I have one, is —
through my heart, and that, alas, has gone for-
ever.” - Whereupon he fell into a reverie deep and
long, and the young officer’s thoughts were tinged —
with sadness as he reflected on his past life. :
od
CHAPTER VIII.
SONIA’S INFLUENCE.
Nicholas was thrown much with Poleska during»
the weeks that ensued, and if he treated her only
as a friend it was apparent to all eyes save his, that
she was beginning to look upon him with a warmer
regard.
The Count had long ago buried his heart, and
now his head told him that Poleska would make
him an excellent wife, being young, accomplished
and beautiful.
One warm Summer’s. afternoon he took a walk
_ to think over-these things. He was in a thought-
ful mood and particularly wished to avoid meeting
Alexis. ) .
He was walking slowlv along one of the rural
janes when he perceived Sonia seated on a fallen
tree trunk with a little book in her hand. He had
hoped to pass by her unnoticed but she perceived
him and exclaimed, *‘ Nicholas, do you not know
me? Come over here and talk to me, are you going
' to pass me by ?”’
88 THE PRINCE OF VORONZOF®.
Nicholas seated himself on the fallen tree, and
after awhile remarked, ‘*‘ What brought you out
this hot Summer’s day ? it seems to me it were
better for you to be home with your husband and
child than sitting by the wayside like this.”
‘“My husband and child can spare me these few
hours, I think,” answered Sonia, with hauteur. —
“They are not given over to idleness, I assure you.
I have-been hard at work, and am resting a few
moments before Church begins.” |
‘‘And what is there to work at?” asked the
Count, looking up and down the road.
‘““T have all my poor to visit. They are so grate-
ful and kind it is a pleasure to serve them.”
‘But do you not think you could do more good
to those around you than running after OOF pea-
sants ?” nS
‘Those around me do not need: help.” 3
‘*Some do, myself for instance ; I need your help —
badly.” |
“Tell me how, any I will help you if it lays
within my power.’
‘Well, then,” began Nicholas, ‘‘my life, my de-
sire, my everything, is fixed on obtaining Poleska
for my own. I have waited all these long years,
hoping that by look or word she would show me
that I had not hoped in vain. Oh, Sonia, you do
not know how much I desire this! Help me to
gain a wife—help me to win Poleska—and the hap-
piness you will confer upon me’ will be ten times
greater than that of your poor peasants.” ,
‘“ Nicholas, | am sorry you should have spoken
- f
THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF. 89
of this to me, and more sorry still that I shall not
be able to help you.” j
“Cannot help me? Oh, Sonia, do not tell me
that! In what have I failed? Give me some rea-
son for this!”
‘**T cannot ; your own conscience should tell you.
Tam sorry, I find Iam SHAS UO Reais in you, I had
not believed you capable of this.”
‘““Oh, why this mystery? Tell meall. Is it my
Plicion, my politics, my manner, what? Oh, tell
me that I may change.”
“You have done yourself a permanent wrong.
You haveemy greatest sympathy. Surely you
know to what Iallude. Think, analyze your posi-
tion and you will realize that this marriage is im-
possible.” ,
‘You speak in mysteries. Sonia, tell me what
it is you are alluding to. What have I done ?’
‘‘Don’t ask me these questions, Nicholas, for in-
deed I cannot answer them. There; the church
bell is ringing, I must leave you, or perhaps,—that
is,’ growing embarrassed, ‘‘ you would not care to
~ come too ?” |
“To your church ?”
_ ** Yes, the service is just beginning.”
Nicholas looked at the hot dusty road, the sun
streaming down, then at the cool shady porch of
the church, which looked porary inviting to
him.
‘I will go, Sonia,” he said.
They entered the simple village edifice. Few
people were assembled and the whole aspect of the
90 THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF.
place was one of peace. Insensibly Nicholas, who
had entered harassed and perplexed, felt, as the
service proceeded, a quiet tranquility steal over
him, and he glanced more than once at his com-
panion whose whole soul was in her devotions, and
he felt a sudden respect, reverence for the piety of
the woman beside him. He felt drawn towards
her as toward a superior being. He had seen
many women in the gay Russian capital, knew all
their intrigues and artifices, but he felt how far
Sonia was above them all.
The short service was soon over, and the priest.
repeating the words, ‘‘May the blessing of the
Lord our God be upon you,’ ” the congregation rose |
_ to leave.
They walked on in silence for some time. Then — ;
Nicholas said :
‘Your church is’a great comfort to you, is it
not? You always feel happier when you have ~
been there?”
‘Ah, yes indeed. Oh, Nicholas, you do notun-
derstand it, but I wish with all my heart you
could be ial once more to become a Christian ‘and
ai?
I admire it in others.”
That same evening, as the Count was eee aa
in the garden, he overheard a conversation between a
the Prince and his wife.
‘*T cannot allow you,” Alexis was saying, witht »
his usual hauteur, “to mix with the villagers, asI
hear you have been doing this afternoon. They —
‘“Tt is impossible ; I can never change now, but a.
: Mee ea ee Oe ek ee Y
ike ile Ss
iar
THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF. 91
are a dirty, lazy set and do not need your interfe-
rence. Remember that you are the ‘Princess of
~- Voronzoff ’.” -
‘*But, Alexis, they are good, deserving people.”
‘* Not another word more,” interrupted the Prince,
imperiously, “‘If you do not care enough to main-
tain your own dignity, remember my are my wife,
if nothing more.” |
The cold metallic accents fell upon Nicholas’ ear
as he moved away.
‘‘The Prince of Voronzoff is a splendid title to
hold,” he muttered, ‘‘ but a cold, heartless man can
never make an affectionate husband. Ah, Sonia,
marriage is a lottery. Let us hope you will never
fare worse than you do now.”
CHAPTER IX. oe
CASTE.
Sonia, Alexis, Poleska and Nicholas were all
seated on the terrace in the soft Russian sunshine.
Conversation turned on village matter s, and Alexis —
was saying : |
‘““The church is getting on nicely now. I am
- glad to say the priest was here this morning and
thanked me for my donation. If everything was
accomplished as easily as that nowadays there
would be no trouble nor worry. Just hand the
priest a certain sum, tell him to use it well, and
he will tell you you will be pardoned for all your
sins, and are sure of a future reward.” —
“You should not jest on such matters, Alexis,”
remonstrated Sonia, ‘‘ Remember who giveth unto
the poor lendeth unto the Lord.”
‘Tam not jesting, Sonia. No one cares more
for the church than I do, and I think it is the duty
of everyone to give what they can to support it, see
all we lavish on our poor earthly bodies. Should
not our souls be saved also ?”’ :
‘‘ How good and religions Uncle Alexis is,” said —
THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF. 93
Poleska to Nicholas, ‘‘ the church would go to ruin
without him. Why are you not as good as he ?’
‘It would take a long time for me to grow as
good as he is,” answered Nicholas, sarcastically.
‘* He is a model in every respect.”
“Tam glad you appreciate the fact, Nicholas,”
said Alexis.
Here the baby was brought out, Mah Poleska
took him in her arms and seated her self at a little
Ar distance. Nicholas watched her some time before
he joined her.
‘*Do you often take so much trouble to amuse a
baby ?” he asked, standing behind her chair.
‘Ah, no; not all babies, but Sergius is one of my
admirers. I cannot afford to lose any of them, you
know.”
“You have so sD Any, I do He think you would
miss one or two.”
‘Perhaps not; it all Bape: on who they might
be. You could not expect me to care for them all
alike !”
‘‘T suppose not. If Sereiie and I are to be ri-
vals, I give the ence to him and will drop out
of the list.”
“That would leave us broken-hearted, would it
not, my Sergius ?”
a I wish, Poleska, you would be sincere with
me,” he said, earnestly.
c Would you rather I say I care notine for you,
then?” .
‘“‘That would be nearer the truth, anyhow.”
94 THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF. |
‘He says that would be nearer the truth, my
Sergius—my little Prince of Voronzoff !”
‘‘The Prince of Voronzoff, my Sergius, will get
you more friends than only Sergius—especially -
with the ladies.”
‘“You are cruel, Count,” said Poleska, with —
spirit. -‘‘ These titled gentlemen are touchy about
their titles. Even you, Count, though a repel
can, still hold to your title.”
The child held out his tiny arms to Nicholas, ‘and
gave a cry of joy when he felt his strong arms
about him.
‘‘Ah! Poleska, he is a deserter ; the Prince of
Voronzoff prefers me to you.”
‘You naughty, naughty boy, to give up your
own aunt for your republican cousin !”
Here they both laughed, and a servant handed
Nicholas a card. He only read, ‘‘Ivan Kersoff,”
but the change that came over him was _wonder-
: ful.
‘‘ Where is this person?” he said, his hauteur
almost like Alexis’s own. ‘‘ Tell him I cannot see
him,? if |
‘* He insists, Count, and is in ihe library. 9
Nicholas knit his brows, and, with an impatient —
exclamation, followed the servant into the house.
Ta Pee gill at oo
is ; : ]
b ; : . ; % { , Z oad m :
i ep. "| buf a PS 7 P os vie c wW gan =A, a a ,
Perna oa del aie Oe eae Se ta ak AG Te em A. aa ee ee
CHAPTER X.
OLD TIES.
' “Did you ask to see me, Ivan?’ he said as he
entered the library. ‘‘I think there is some mis-
take here, is it not the Prince you desire to see ?”
The man looked at Nicholas, he was the same
who had annoyed him in the city.
‘ No,” he said, ‘‘ I did not ask to see the Prince,
it was the Count of Voronzoff I desired to see.”
_ ** Pray be seated then and make your communi-
cation as short as possible.”
‘Count, this thing has been going on long
enough, and I am not to be put off this time.”
‘* Proceed,” said Nicholas, with a wave of the
hand. ‘‘ Who talks of putting you off ?
‘Now, look here, I am tired of this any way.
This is the last time I shall ever appear to you,
hereafter, I shall act. Who is it that has robbed
us of our happiness, of our caste, of our everything ?
You! You have ruined my Anna’s life, she is
leading a life of shame, and all that is owing to
you.” : Shoe :
Ae Henk yar Wy:
96 THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF.
“T do not understand you, Ivan.”
“You do not. Merciful Heavens! can this be
true? Were you not our friend, our familiar
friend? Were we not working together? Did you
not bring your cousin into our life? We, the vic-
tims, fell into your trap. It was a master stroke
for you when Alexis, Prince of Voronzoff, made —
Anna his wife.”
‘‘It is false ?” said Nicholas, with flashing eyes.
Alexis Voronzoff is Anna’s lawful husband,”
said Ivan.
‘“Why do you not tell all this to him, then ?”
‘“Why? Because you are the one at Saale - Were
we not working together, did we not plot together ?
I trusted you implicitly, but you have played us
false, you have betrayed us. Oh, these heartless
cruel nobles, it is nothing to.rob a young girl of all.
that makes hfe worth living? These Princes lead
their dissolute lives trampling on us, and we must
suffer and be silent. I do not wonder there are
Nihilists, and I am thankful for it, they will at least
respect a poor girl’s ) ess and willnot be ashamed ~
to own their wives.” He paused and Sonia’ S voice
was heard singing outside.
‘“‘Tt is she,” murmured Nicholas, ‘‘it is Sonia.”
‘* Ah, she does right to sing now,” said Ivan, ** but
there will come a time when the song will be drowned
in tears. Sing on my pretty one, ‘ they laugh best
who laugh last,’ and you will he, long enjoy the
title of Princess of .Voronzoff.”
‘““What are you going to do?” asked Nicholas.
‘* Be careful how you touch her, you shall not harm
THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFFP. 97
one hair of her head. Do with me as you will,
wreak your vengeance on us men, but Sonia and
the infant must remain untouched. Remember,
you have Nicholas Voronzoff to deal with.”
‘“Calm yourself, Count, this excitement is need-
less,” said Ivan, speaking slowly and locking sharply
at Nicholas, ‘I really believe you are in love with
Sonia, as you call her.”
Sir,” said Nicholas, ‘‘ this is going too far, what
right have you to come here and make your gross
accusations ?” |
**T have every right for coming here, as you well
know, and from my heart I pity the young girl
who has married your cousin. She has little chance
of happiness in her life, poor thing. She may be
married to the Prince of Voronzoff, but she lit-
tle Knows the characters of her associates ; and I
will tell you this my friend, the Count, you may
be very proud of your dissolute family, but the
house of Voronzoff is composed of haughty, cruel
adventurers.”
‘‘ How dare you speak so. Begone, sir, with your
insolence.”
‘*OQne word more, wickedness cannot live for-
ever. Your wretched name has flourished for two
centuries, its time will soon come, and when your
castles are razed to the ground, your fields laid
waste, and the last of your line has perished for-
ever, then will all Russia rejoice and thank God
that their country has been freed from the accursed
Voronzoff. You are proud of your title, proud of
your name, well, be so then, but I would a thousand
98 THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF,
times rather have an honest and loyal heart than
bear the title of Prince of Voronzoff.”
Nicholas sat for a long time pondering over the
conversation he had with Ivan, long after Ivan
had gone. Anyone seeing Nicholas now would
shrink away from him. Usually he was an at-
tractive man, but to-night his handsome face
was clouded. Ugly thoughts make ugly faces and
Nicholas was no exception to the rule. His pride,
his family, his name had been dragged in the dust
by an up-start, and the worst of all was he had said
that the Count loved Sonia. Loved Sonia, could it
be possible? Yet, as he recollected, it was Sonia :
who was his constant companion and not Poleska,
no game, no sport, no entertainment was complete
without her, her voice, her words rang perpetually
in his ears. Was this then love?. Love for his
cousin’s wife ?
Nicholas had never been a thoroughly bad man,
he was only a careless young fellow mixing Sule
the fast women of his acquaintance whom he
could not respect. But, Sonia? Ah, Sonia, she
was so different, so pure, so beautiful, so noble.
She was more like an angel than a woman, she
possessed the greatest power over this wayward,
self-willed man, she brought out all the best points
of his character, and he looking up to her as a
superior being, felt that reverence and awe that
only such a man can feel. He worshipped her
long before he knew it. He loved her, but he must
renounce her, for is she not his cousin’s wife #
CHAPTER XI.
CALLED TO ACCOUNT.
The days passed by one by one until the Winter
came, a real Russian Winter, with plenty of snow
and ice.
The mother of Alexis was gradually losing
strength, and all felt doubtful if she could live to
see another Spring.
It was the last night of Nicholas’ stay at his
cousin’s house, to-morrow he must go to St.
Petersburg, for ise leave was over.
He and Poleska were pacing up and Be. the
long drawing room, while the others were in a
room apart.
‘‘And to-morrow your leave is over,” said Po-
leska, ‘‘it seems to me you are in a great hurry to
leave us.” ,
‘You are mistaken, Poleska, however much I
may wish to remain ; my inclination must be sub-
ordinate to my duty, you know a soldier’s first
thought is to obey.”
** You will go to new places, new scenes, will see —
new faces and perhaps, forget the old ones.”
1 a
eh SS
a a Se
yt, Ay
100 THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF.
‘*Oh, no, Poleska, there you are wrong. I am
afraid you underrate me considerably, I have en-
joyed myself thoroughly, in spite of Alexis, since
my stay here, but it isa monotonous existence. Do
you wonder that now I should long for action.”
‘“Tt has always been so,” said Poleska, with a
heavy heart. ‘‘Men go to war and glory, forget-
ting everything in the excitement of the moment,
while we poor women must wait and weep.”
Nicholas looked at his cousin with a puzzled ex-
pression. |
‘* You speak with feeling, ie and yet you
are a society girl!”
‘‘ And is that a reason one should have no feel-
ing, no pulse, no heart ?” asked she, warmly. ‘‘ In
society one must run the gauntlet of the season’s
gayeties, but you would find under many a smiling
face an aching heart. Society conceals her griefs,
and smiles.”
She looked anxiously at Nicholas, but what she
sought in his face she did not find. He only smiled
_ quietly, and she began in a quieter strain-— |
‘‘ Nicholas, you were to tell me if you found me
all you left me asa little girl. How. am I changed ?”
‘‘ The little girl I left behind me is gone forever.
In her place I find a young girl, rich, accomplished |
and beautiful; but still I miss my little girl.”
‘“And you tee et it?”
‘‘T regret her, sometimes ; for, although neither
rich, accomplished, nor beautiful, she was at least
sincere: ?
‘* And her successor, do you doubt her sincerity ¢”
Se ee Pe Tee.
Spl s Set ee eee ee a ee Tae
* oes
—
THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF. 101
“*T have not found her as sincere as I should
hike, yet, but come, shall we not go to our hosts ?”
‘Not yet, oh, not yet,” said the young girl, lay-
ing a detaining hand on his arm, ‘‘I have some-
thing yet to speak to you about, are you tired
already ?’
‘* My dear Poleska that could not be, but what
have you to say ?” | |
“Sonia, do you not like her, does she not make
my uncle a charming wife ?”
‘“Very,” answered Nicholas, shortly, afraid of
_ betraying himself.
“You are cold, I love Sonia and you do not like
her ?” © 7
‘“ Certainly, did you piney I meant to disparage
her ?”
a Ah, Nicholas you are a true Voronzoff, and
your Eicon is your end. Sonia has placed an
obstacle between you and your prospective title.
Sonia has given the Prince of Voronzoff a son and
heir.”
After a pause of several moments, Poleska said :
‘Nicholas we belong to the grand old family of
Voronzoff, you must not forget that, and that you
are a soldier; a uniform has always been their ,
favorite dr ess, the house of Voronzoff is celebrated
for its brave and gallant soldiers.”
“ And also for its beautiful women, but do not
be content with looks only, be beautiful in all
besides.”
There was a pause broken by Holedia saying—
‘“T must go now Nicholas, grandmamma will be
SOR To ere ee eee
cms ae eee
sid, SS CR ees oe
102 _ THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFE.,
waiting forme. Good-bye, we will not meet again. ae :
‘‘Good-bye, Poleska, good-bye.”
- The young girl mounted the stairs, a feeling nee
disappointment coming over her. She had not
gone over two or three steps when N NE called —
her back.
‘“Poleska,” he said, ‘“‘I cannot let you go. Tike:
this, we may not meet again for some time, will
you not give me your blessing ?” ~
Poleska stood on the landing of the stairs slightly |
above her companion, looking like a beautiful
statue on a pedestal. She stretched out her arms-
and repeated in a clear ringing voice these words
borrowed from the Greek service. ‘“‘May the
blessing of the Lord our God be upon you, ae and om
with these words the cousins par ted.
=
é
Some two weeks after Nicholas’ departure, Sonia, | is |
Poleska and Alexis were starting out for a brisk —
walk in the sunshine.
Poor Poleska, her heart had fed given aniraly
to Nicholas, and she discovered | her roishales when
too late.
‘What a glorious afternoon,” Said? Aiceas “ey Soe
am sure Sonia you will agree with me that it Is ee
finer than anything 1 in St. Petersburg.” |
“Why are you always harping on St. Pelee .
burg, Alexis? I will tell you once for all that I
would not exchange all the most exquisite songs of
the birds for one of our bands, the vaulted heavens a
eect Te oe Lk
iS oa grail bee ies
Pres nam Bee
sy
THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF. 103
for the ceiling of a handsome drawing-room, or the
soft, beautiful snow for a rich carpet.”
“And vou, Poleska,” asked the Prince, ‘‘ are
you equally incorrigible ?”
~ “T am always very fond of the country, uncle ;
but perhaps it is a little gloomy this time of year.”
‘*Ah! perhaps so,” said Alexis, thoughtfully.
Here a servant informed Alexis that some one
- wanted to see him. His wife and niece walked
a
back to the house with him.
“We will wait for you, Alexis,” Sonia said.
‘In the library, sir,” said the footman.
Alexis hastened there, and, as he entered, Sonia
heard some one say :
Tam not to be put off this time, my friend,
and you may tell your friends outside not to wait
for you ; you may be detained longer than you ex-
pect.” And, with a disagreeable laugh, Ivan shut
the door ad Sonia heard no more.
For the first time in many years Alexis, Prince
nee Voronzoff, and his wife’s brother stood face to
~ face. No walk this afternoon for Alexis! Ivan
was an able talker, and did his work well. Sonia
waited in her sitting-room with a foreboding of
fear. One moment she heard the two voices raised
in anger, the next all was still. After nearly three
hours Alexis emerged ; he looked pale and anxious.
‘*Sonia,” he said, taking her hand, I shall be
obliged to be out this evening and must leave you
soon. While I am gone you and Poleska will be
alone. Talk to her Sonia, I fear she still cares
: something for Nicholas. ~ If she does, speak to her
24
nt er
104 THE PRINCE OF VORONZOF®.
as only a woman can, tell her he has no religion
and no king, and if she still regrets him tell her
his secret,” as he said the last two words his eyes
burned with a strange light. ‘*‘She must be saved
at all events. You will do this for me will you nee
Sonia 2”
“Oh, Alexis, a is very hard, but I will do it if
you bid me, but tell me whee you are going, to
one of your church or state meetings ?” -
“Yes, [am going to a very important poeepige!
very important It is time I was going now, but
one thing more I must tell you, Sonia, beware of -
Nicholas. Good bye,” and with these words he
kissed his young wife and left the room. =~
- Late that same evening as Sonia and Poleska sat fs
together in the firelight, Sonia’s thoughts reverted
to her talk with Alexis and she felt it her duty to
lead the conversation to Nicholas.
‘“My dear Poleska,” she began, Alexis and I have
always your happiness at stake, pardon me if I
seem presumptuous, but, have you popes to love |
Nicholas ?”
‘Oh, Sonia,” cried the - girl, with ee
cheeks, ‘‘ why do you ask me that ? be
4 Because, dearest, | want to try and help you, you !
. have never known a mother’s care, and although I~
cannot fill that place for you, Live you as my own |
sister, you are Alexis’ sister’s child, can you not.
confide in me ?” ~
THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF. 105
‘Oh, Sonia, how kind you are, I had thought to
hide Pie from. all eyes, oh, Iam so Paes, SO
miserable.”
Sonia was silent and slowly a oked he young
-girl’s hair. Poleska left her seat and placed herself
on a stool at Sonia’s feet. ‘‘I love him Sonia, oh,
so much. It is a love that is immeasurable, and
yet he cares no more for me. I used to think, but,
no, Nicholas is anything but fickle.” ye
‘‘Poleska, I am very, very sorry to hear this, for
you to marry Nicholas is impossible. He is a man _
no girl should love, his ts has not been what it
should be.” .
‘‘I understand you, Sonia, you refer to his con-
spiracies. He is a Nihilist, an atheist, but I love
him still through 1¢ all.”
‘* What if I should tell you he was double dealing ?”
‘Tt is a foul slander. Who dares say so ?”
“Your uncle Alexis, himself, oh, Poleska, this is
not all, his wife still lives.”
‘*Oh, Heavens, his what ?”’
‘“Strange as it may seem, Nicholas is no longer
free. A clandestine marriage binds him in its
grasp.” | |
Poleska’s sobs choked her utterance, she flung
her head in Sonia’s lap, sweet, patient Bue
“Oh, Nicholas, Nicholas !” cried Poleska, ‘‘ is it,
can it be true ? and I loved you so much, so very
much.”
‘“Be comforted Poleska, you have loved not
wisely but too well, Nicholas is not for such as
you, he has forfeited his right to you.”
106 THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF.
Poleska gradually grew calmer, until, her eyes
heavy with tears, she dropped to sleep. Sonia
kissed her tenderly as a mother would. In the
mean time Alexis’ last meeting was over and he
lay stretched upon the ground beneath the moon’s
bright rays, pierced by a duellist’s sword. The
warm blood flowed from a wound in the side and
slowly discolored the white snow. The blood of
the haughty Voronzoff was ebbing away and draw-
ing the life of its mighty Prince in its tide. No
hand now could check the crimson current ; what
were wealth, power, name, in the presence of .the
dread foe? Death strikes saint and sinner, prince
and pauper, alike, and spares none, and when the
church chimes pealed out the half hour slowly on
the frosty air, Alexis, Prince of Voronzoff, was no
more. ‘The moon passed under a cloud, as if to
hide its face from the ghastly sight, and so the
weary hours dragged themselves to a close, and
when morning dawned they carried him to his beau-
tiful home Daniloviski. |
CHAPTER XII.
%
* NIHILIST VIEWS.
It was six years since Alexis, Prince of Voron-
| zoff, had died by the hand of Ivan Kersoff—a
hand raised to avenge all he held most sacred—and
Alexis, in the full force of his manhood, vigor and
prime; was with one blow made to pay with his
life for a youthful folly that had shadowed all his
after life. . 3
How he met his death, no one knew; but it was
given out that he fell by the road-side while return-
ing from a meeting. His mother never rallied
from the shock to her nerves and, before long, she
followed her idolized son to the grave.
Sonia was left alone with the child, and had
lived at the Daniloviski place until now, six years
after her husband’s death, she had established her-
self at a hotel in St. Petersburg, with Mikel, her
husband’s old servant, as her only attendant.
She would sit in the evening by a fire, with her
head between her hands, dreaming of her past life
and all that Alexis was to her.
108 THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF,
One evening old Mikel came to her, ‘‘The Count
of Voronzoff,” he said.
‘*T will go,” she said ; and for the first time since
she had been a Chet Sonia and Nicholas stood
face to face.
A great wave of feeling swept over him as he
saw her. She was so young, so fair for so much
sorrow, while she with Alexis’ last words, ** Beware
of Nicholas,” ringing in her ears, felt almost inawe
of him, he looked so very handsome as he stood
there in his uniform.
‘* Welcome to St. Petersburg, conte ” he said ;
‘*Tam glad to see you looking so well; and ies es
little Prince, how is he?’ :
‘‘ Sergius is very well, Nicholas, and grows every
day more like his father, he is all I have to remind
me of him now.” ;
Her sadness touched him, and he said gently,
‘Tt was hard, very hard I know, and so sudden
too, but you must not let your thoughts dwell too
much on the past, for the sake of your son you
should look to the future. Remember, that as the
Prince of Voronzoff there will be much expected of —
him.”
Sonia trembled. He was so ie so considerate,
and these were the first words of that kind she had
heard since the death of Alexis. ‘‘My poor little
Sergius,” she said, the tears starting to her eyes,
‘‘sometimes when I think about it and how much
my little boy will be responsible for, I wish we
were peasants, so that we might have no anxiety.”
“And would you give up that ambition that a
ae
7
ey Mee ee
= ot 4 ae
THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF. 109
mother feels to see her son rich and powerful ?
There are many who would envy you your position
as mother of the Prince of Voronzoff.”
“They may spare their envy then, for to me,
above all titles and riches I should ask for happi-
ness, for without that what crown is blessed ?”
* You talk of happiness as a thing beyond you.
Tell me, Sonia, are you not happy ””
‘* Yes, oh, yes, as happy as I ever can ask to be
in this world, now. I would be very ungrateful
were I not, as long as I have my child, what else.
could Task for. Yes, Il am happy, but lam talking
too much about myself, tell me of you, how are you
_ getting on? Remember I have heard nothing for
so long.” :
if Things have been the same with me as usual.
Time passes quickly in Petersburg where every
thing is given over to pleasure and gayeties and
riches.”
‘*“Are you still—that is—tell me if you are still a
conspirator. Do you remember how we talked
about it at’ Daniloviski? Ah, those were happy
days,” she said wearily.
‘‘Could I forget that? never; those few days
were to meas Heaven. I have never been a good
man, perhaps; men say my faults have covered my
virtues, but those few weeks in the country, far
from the bustle and turmoil of the city, did for me
what everything else has failed to accomplish, and
could I have been there a little longer I poe have
become a better man than I have been.”
‘But if you really se that is half the battle ;
”
; ee Sty’ 5 Ce Set phan
_ “oe = 4 c
114 THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFR.,
what can you.mean? Surely you or I must be,
going mad !”
“Nicholas, ” said Sonia, advan to him ANG ie
laying her hand gently on his arm, ‘“‘you and I
have always been friends. You are Alexis’ near- _
est relative, and I would sooner die than believe —
any evil of you. I thought at least you would —
_ spare me such a wrong. Tell me if it is some great
mistake, or are you really pecs without con-
science ?”
_. “There are hidden meanings in your ele
claimed Nicholas. ‘‘ To what you allude I aniae
tell. For heaven’s sake speak out ! Has some base —
slander reached you of my affairs. Tell me to what R:
- you allude, and let me deny it while I may.” Ls
oe e uldk give the world to have you deny it,
Nicholas, but I fear youcannot. Itis my faultifI =
have capes your Lome for I. know that your wite pie
is living.” | ce
‘*My wife! ood heavens, speak, who told b you. ee
that ? |
“ Alexis told me you had a alantlosnate marriage ey
with some girl beneath you. That your children
were your heirs, and, oh, heaven, to think that.you tae
would ask me to be your wife!” ees
Nicholas stood where he had heard these words,
rooted to the spot, every vestige of color left his—
face, his. hands clenched-and in a voice hard ae
~ metallic he said—‘‘ Did Alexis say thatof me?’ = —
‘“ He told me that a long time ago, and that is
why we informed Poleska to keep her from marry- — i a
ing you; oh, Nicholas, I should scold you, but ne -
cs bated na ; re
‘THE PRINCE Of VORONZOFF. 115
pity you so much, so very much, and I know it
must have been in a moment of temptation that -
you married her and ruined all your after life.”
Nicholas dropped into a chair by a table and hid
his face on his arm. He was completely crushed.
No one had ever seen the Count so much moved.
Sonia looked at him and her breath came in great
gasps, but her eyes were dry. Suddenly he raised
himself, ‘‘ And you believed it of me,” he said, his
voice stirring hidden depths in her heart.
‘* Yes, I believed it, Nicholas,” she answered.
. ‘* Then my life is over,” he said, ‘“‘I must go away,
perhaps you will never see me again. I have lost
all that makes life worth living, but I love you
still, Sonia, and some day you will not think so bad-
lyof me. I cannot tell you now, but some day you
_will learn all and then you will pity me. Thad not
believed Alexis could tell you such a thing. Good
bye, Sonia, if you ever want me—I will send you my
address so you can send for me; oh, Sonia, Alexis
may have loved you, but not half as much as I
- havedone. You will pray for me, will you not,
Sonia? I need it so much, say good-bye from me
to Sergius, the only one whose love has not brought
me unhappiness, and try not to think any worse of
me than you can,” and with these words he. left
the room, and Nicholas’ dream of bliss was over.
- His cousin’s hatred struck him from the grave,
his cousin stood between him and the woman he
loved after six years had passed over his grave,
separating them as much as if be had been living.
_ A house divided against itself brings only unhap-
CHAPTER XIV.
VILE ACCUSATIONS.
From the time of Nicholas’s departure, trouble
came once again to Sonia. In the first place, Ser-
gius was ill and, although Sonia thought nothing
of this, the little boy grew rapidly worse so that
his condition was alarming.
While matters were at this crisis, a stranger
called on Sonia. The woman seemed of one of the
lower classes, and was clad in deep mourning.
“You have come at a very unfortunate time,”
said Sonia, ‘‘for my little boy is very ill; but I can
spare you a few minutes, if you will state your
business briefly.” }
‘“My business is more with you than with my-
self. I have come to you for justice. I have been
too long kept in the background ; but now, come
what will, I must speak. Do you know that you
are keeping a woman’s rights from her? Did
Alexis find himself duped by your pretty face ?
He showed taste, but he forgot at that time that I
am Princess of Voronzoff.”
“Ne at | rns ee
eS ive
4
118 THE PRINCE OF VORONZOF#.
“You!” exclaimed Sonia. ‘‘Oh, no; you are
mistaken! If you are the wife of Nicholas, I will
do all in my power to help you; but do not again
let the name of the Prince of Voronzoff pass your
lips!”
‘‘Nicholas my husband ? Oh, no, the Count is thee
friend that betrayed us, but Alexi Prince of Vo- —
ronzoff, was my huebana: and now I have come to.
you to demand my rights. He loved and married
me before he ever saw your face, my pretty fool. —
Ah, how happy we were for inne short months— ~
three short months of an existence is a very little
time for happiness. Then he left me for his gay
capital. He went back to his old life and I was left
alone ; when I asked for money he grew cross and
sullen ; he was ashamed of me. Oh, that I should
ever have lived to see him so. I went to him one
night ; I and my child were starving, yes, actually
starving, while he lived in his palace with a re-
tinue of servants. I went to him and begged
money to buy bread. I showed him my child, his
child, thin and dying, and he turned me from the
door and I was left in the cold and snow alone, *
while Alexis went back to his life of pleasure. The
poor little babe died in my arms, died from expo- —
~ sure and want, and I was left, through no fault of
my own, to an existence worse than death. What
“right had he, what right, I say, to take an innocent
girl from her happy home and then leave her so
that Be own parents are ashamed to recognize
her 7
ee =
E
THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF. 119
Sonia was looking at her spell-bound, her face as
white as death.
‘“This is a lie,” she said, hoarsely and with an
effort. ‘‘Do you think the world would believe
-your story ?”
‘It rests with you if the world will ever know
it or not. It would sound well, would it not, for
_ Alexis, Prince of Voronzoff, to be accused of big-
amy? I can defame his character, spoil your life, »
my lady, as you have already spoiled mine, and let
that child you speak of blush to own his father.
Oh, you cold heartless nobles, you little know all
we suffer by you.”’
_ “Woman,” Sonia cried, ‘enough of this, your
proofs, where are your proofs ?”
‘*T took good care of that,” answered the woman,
‘here is a letter to me from your loving husband
first.” ,
Sonia took the letter mechanically, and it was
with an effort that she read it.. It began—‘‘ My
own darling, Anna,” and ended, “‘ your affectionate
husband,” and then the well known signature—it
~-was his writing beyond doubt. Sonia dropped her
hands and crushed the letterin an agony of despair.
“You may destroy that one,” said the woman,
‘for I have plenty more, waste of time, wasn’t it ?
_ And here is my marriage certificate, look, there is
his name, do you believe now ”” :
Sonia felt as if she were about to faint, her limbs
refused to hold her and she sank into a chair at this
second proof,
' +
190 THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF. oS
‘‘T believe you, bold, wicked woman,” she said,
‘“‘that you are the wife of the Count, for my husband
told me so himself.” |
‘*Only another ruse to blind you; the Prince
hated his cousin and took that form of revenge.
You see I took good care to have my proofs, now I
come to my business—the world need never know
the Prince was my husband, as no one knows but
you, and my mouth will be closed on one con-
dition ; give me some money ; my silence is to! be
Raion x
‘Buy my husband’s honor! No, you are an im-
postor! Go, I have listened too long to your vile ac-
cusations,.’
‘*T go then, my an and before to-morrow night”
Petersburg will be ringing from one end to the
other with the Prince’s name coupled with mine.”
‘‘No, no, that shall not be, do you swear that
cer hentes is genuine ?”
‘*T will swear by all I hold mast sacred that Iam
the only and lawful wife of Alexis, Prince of Vo-
ronzoff.”
** And your object is money ?”
‘“ Yes, my object is money.”
y Nene your price ?”’
The woman named a fabulous sum but still -
Sonia wavered, her breath came in quick, short
‘Sasps.
‘“ Woman,” she said, ‘‘I will give you twice that
sum and will beggar myself if you will swear all
your story is a fabrication and the certificate is
false.”
THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF. 121
The woman’s eyes gleamed, she wavered, then
drawing a heavy sigh she said :
‘“Do not tempt me to such baseness. I loved
Alexis too much to deny him now. I swear again
that he is and was my lawful husband.”
Sonia heaved a deep sigh, counted out the money,
and the woman departed. -
She sank down on a couch and gave way to a
paroxism of sobs, her very reason seemed shattered.
‘*“Nicholas! Nicholas,” rang on the air, but he
came not and there was none to witness her intense.
suffering. Soon she arose pale and white, and tak-
ing out Nicholas’ address with trembling fingers
sent him a peremptory summons.”
**Oh, Alexis, Alexis, if this be true I cannot bear
it. Nicholas, Nicholas, come, for God’s sake come
for I am so unhappy.”
Then she went in the little fellow’s room and
found him raving and delirious. All night long in
that darkened room he struggled between life and
death, and when morning came worn out and ex-
hausted he fell asleep.
CHAPTER XV.
ANOTHER CALLED.
The first glimpse of a cold gray dawn broke over
St. Petersburg when Nicholas entered it, having
flown from the other side of the Continent at
Sonia’s call. She met him in the hall-way.
‘Oh, Nicholas,” she cried, ‘‘thank God you
have come, I feared you would be too late for Ser-
gius. Come, he is sleeping, but oh, what anight,” ~__
and she sighed wearily.
~ **T came as soon as I could, but you look tired
and wan, lie down for a little while and I will call —
you if—if—that is—if anything is needed.”
_ She tried to smile and with a weary ‘‘ Thank
you, Nicholas,” she turned away and he entered
the chamber of sickness. P
Prepared as Nicholas was for a great change, he
was struck by the pallor of the face on the pillow.
As he stood looking down at him, thinking of his |
dead cousin, the child suddenly awoke and seeing ~
who was looking at him, turned toward him with
a gleam of intelligence on his poor wan little face,
and clutched at his cousin convulsively.
THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF. 123
‘Nicholas, Nicholas,” he whispered, ‘‘I am so
_ glad you came. I wanted to see you so much, if
only once more before I die.”
“But you must not die, my Sergius, you are too
young and too good, you have often been sick
_ before.”
“But never like this this is worse than all, and
mamma looks so sad, oh, itis dreadful—” he paused
for a monient then went on, ‘‘ Nicholas, Nicholas,
where are you ?”
** Here, my boy, close to you.” |
‘It is so dark here, give me your hand so that I
shall not be afraid. Do you remember how they
used to tellme that I had taken your title away
from you? It was always a pity, I thought, but
you will now be the Prince of Voronzoff after all.
You used to want it so much, and when I think of
that somehow it does not seem so hard to die after
all?’
The child slept on now for he had erown very
weak, and Nicholas was left to his own thoughts, and
bitter thoughts they were, too, of all his past life,
for seeing that little child brought him very near to
_ death.
The day passed on very drearily and as all the
rest of that gay city was searching for pleasure and
gayety, that one little boy was fighting, oh, so
hard, for his poor little life. Of what avail was it.
now that he was Prince of Voronzoff. Who could .
keep him now? And as once before a Prince of that
- noble house was struck by death, so now another.
1294 THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF.
victim was ready for the call, and father and son
would soon be together.
‘“ Nicholas,” moaned the boy suddenly enuite
‘‘what was the prayer I used to say? How did it
vo? I forget so now, I never used to, tell me so
that I can remember it.”
Nicholas gave a start. He had given up prayers
long ago, but the soft, pleading voice was not to be
silenced. Slowly and very painfully the Count re-
peated the prayer that awoke so many tender
~ memories in his mind. Memories of a past so long
ago that the young soldier had believed them for-
gotten long ere this, of a mother’s love, a happy
home, and perfect trust that a life-time of gayeties
and frivolities cannot wholly efface from the book
of time. Now, as he repeated the simple, childish
prayer, these memories came flitting over him, and,
strong soldier man of the world as he was, his voice
trembled, and hot scalding tears came to his eyes.
He wept? Yes, the strong man by the bed-side of :
the little child, wept tears of humiliation and ‘re- ~
morse. Scoffers may laugh at such things and call
it weakness. Oh, my friends, if you could not
weep at such a time, I pity you! Those tears were
sacred, wrung as they were from a man’s best feel-
ing—coming direct from the heart ; no man that is
utterly lost could shed such tears As these.
The little voice grew weaker and weaker, and
Nicholas had to bend very low to va the waver- _
ing breath.
“Mamma,” whispered the child, “ OR will yes
THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF. . 125
care of her, won’t you ? She will have no one when
Iam gone; you will try, won’t you, for my sake?”
“Yes, yes child, but don’t worry about these
_ things ; it makes you weaker.”
‘But you will promise, won’t you? Say just
once you promise to take care of mamma.”
‘‘I promise, Sergius, to do all in my power for
her.”
‘“T am so glad, so glad,” he murmured, ‘‘ that I
was in time,” then after another pause, ‘‘I never
thought I should die so soon, I am so young yet,
only seven you know and there is so much to live
for. I often wonder what it will be like up there,
it seems so dark and far off. I wish you were going
with me, it is lonesome, going all alone, but I shall
gee papa and tell him how kind you have been.
Come nearer, nearer yet, oh, Nicholas, don’t let
me die, keep me here, I don’t want to leave every-
thing behind me. Mamma, Nicholas!” then he
stopped, he turned over on his side and Nicholas
thought he had gone to sleep. Strong man that
he was, hardened to sights of the dead and dying
on the battle-field, he could not stand the sight of
his poor little cousin’s suffering. |
The child was fond of him, the only thing in his
life that was fond of him, and now he was dying,
dying, and Sonia would be left alone. At the
thought of Sonia he trembled ; this was her child
and he could not save him. Suddenly in the still-
ness of the sick room a feeling of great calm came
over him; he felt all, that there must be a God
after all. He seemed so near, so very near, the
126 THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF.
whole room seemed filled with His presence, and
Nicholas bowed his head and prayed as he had
not prayed for many days. All his sins, his ~
failings, his temptations he poured out and prayed
humbly for grace and for forgiveness. He never
knew how long he prayed, for after a time,
he, being exhausted by his long journey, fell
asleep in his chair and ‘slept until late. Sergius
slept on and the stillness in the room was in-
tense. Soon Sonia came to find them, the quiet
causing her heart a great bound of fear. She
entered, passed Nicholas, who was still sleeping,
and went to Sergius. One glance at his face, one __
touch of his hand, and with a wild shriek that was
heard through the house, she fell upon the fioor.
Nicholas awoke with a start, and ran to his little -
cousin’s side. Too late, the hand of death was
already there, the youngest branch of the house of
Voronzoff was riven from the tree. Ivan’s curse
had fallen on that mighty house, riches, name and
rank, now were of no avail, the little boy had.
gone to join Alexis ; father and son were together
waiting on the behead shore ; for Sergius, Prince of
Voronzoff, had breathed his ee
CHAPTER XVI.
AMOUR OMNIA VINCIT.
The story is now soon told. Several days after
the death of Sergius, Mikel came to Sonia.
‘“The Prince of Voronzoff, your highness.” Sonia
~-was astonished.
**Do you not know, Mikel,” she said, ‘“‘that the
Prince of Voronzoff is dead ?”
“Yes, your highness,” said the old man, a flush
of pride coming into his withered cheek, ‘‘ but the
Prince of Voronzoff has lived—has lived in Russia
for the past two hundred years.”
Sonia gave a start. |
‘It is Nicholas,” she said, ‘‘and Prince of Vo-
ronzoff ; bid him come in.”
When Nicholas saw her, he was startled, for so
much grief had left its mark on Sonia, and the
last few days were trying ones.
‘“You have come,” she said, ‘‘at a time when I
most need you; let us get back to Daniloviski as
soon as possible. The city has lost all attraction
for me,” and she sank into a chair.
sn
128 THE PRINCE OF VORONZOFF.
Who would have known this careworn looking
woman for the lovely bride of eight short years
ago, but Nicholas preferred her more as she was
now, for her sorrows had passed by her leaving
marks of suffering but.of sweetness on her face,
and her character was strengthened by her experi-
ences.
They laid Sergius at rest in his father’s tomb at
Daniloviski, the tiny coffin laid beside his father’s
and gr andthe s, and Nicholas had had his peer
desire, he was fhe Prince at last.
a You ike the Prince of Voronzoff,” Sonia said
to him, ‘‘nothing now stands bepween you and
your ambition, the Prince of Voronzoff at last.”
Nicholas flushed at these words. ‘‘And will you
like me less as the Prince than as the Count? The
Count had many faults that the Prince will endea-
vor to atone for.”
Sonia sighed. :
‘“Tf the Prince is as good a friend to me as the
Count was I shall be satisfied.”
Not long after this, Sonia still doubting the
woman’s story about Alexis, went herself to see
the church register in the little country church,
Nicholas was standing beside her and as he saw the ©
hot flush mount to her brow, he said, ** Now do you
believe ?”
‘“Oh, Nicholas, it is so terrible, and you, you
lead me to believe it was yourself, how could you
leave me to think that of you ?” |
‘‘ Because I loved you,” answered the Prince,
simply. That was all he said, but Sonia with tears
‘PHR PRINCE OF VORONZOFF. 199
in her eyes felt how strong his love must have been
to kill his own happiness that she might believe her
husband’s memory untarnished. She saw by the
register that the marriage had taken place ten years
ago, when Nicholas was in Siberia, commanding a
military post, it must have been Alexis, and only
two years before her own marriage.
‘* And you knew it all along!” she said.
“Yes,” he answered, slowly, “all along.”
‘*But their letters,—they wrote to one another—
where are they ?”
‘‘T burned them, so that you should never
know.” ‘
‘** And yet you hated Alexis.”
‘*Yes, I hated him ; but he has answered for his
sins long ere this.”
So he was married! He had. deceived her, yet
she had trusted him so much! The young widow
struggled with herself to renounce his memory ;
she was no longer his widow. Who was she, only
Sonia Valovitch after all, and with a struggle she
cast his memory from her. .
But there was another image that had taken pos- -
session of her heart, that, strive as she would, she
could not rid herself of. ‘‘ He was kind to my
little boy,” she murmured, ‘Cand I am going away
soon and he will forget me,” but even as she says
it, two large tears well up in her eyes. Tears came
so easily to Sonia, then.
* % * * *
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faint a OP ee ie eee
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176 REWARD OF MERIT.
It was my greatest pride and pleasure to be with
my master whenever he was jogging about the © a
country. What hours I would stand while he
played tennis or drank afternoon tea with one of
his neighbors, to be rewarded with a careless “ae
‘Dear old Rufus how patient he is,” as he seized
the reins and I made the best of my way home. =
It was my greatest ambition to be everything to
him and I often wished I could win some glorious- a
race and so win my way to my master’s heart.
It was the eve of a great race. And what prep- —
arations had been made for it. All the best horses
in the county were to compete and our stables had
no worthier representative than Sir Bedivere. :
For weeks beforehand he had been in training,
the stud groom took him under his own particular _
care. He was raced early and late, up and down
the track, walked to cool off, and he held regular — i
levees of my master’s friends who discussed exery ae
inch of his magnificent body. | Hie
At last the great day arrived. I had been sad- a
dled, ready, awaiting my master for s some time De oy
fore we started. ise
He was in the saddle at a bound. ‘“‘ This is the be
greatest day of my life,” he exclaimed to a Hoe : ce
a as we started. ee
How we flew over the ground. The ee No. |
vember air blew around us, my master did net —
check me and I, feeling to the full all these ends
particularly the excitement that was in the air’,
bounded on till we arrived at the race grounds. __
Here, although it was early a cee asl had Ee
REWARD OF MERIT. 177
gathered. Large parties were driving in on drags,
h grooms walked about leading horses, the little flags
on the course fluttered in the breeze and the crowd
of gay feathers, ribbons and flowers swayed back-
ward and forward in an excited:'mass.
Suddenly the bell sounded. The Judges took
their places and the horses filed out to the starting
point. Among them was Sir Bedivere bearing my
master’s colors of crimson and white.
He held himself proudly, arching his neck and
pawing the ground as if impatient to start.
The flag dropped and: the horses were off at the —
; a instant. There were seven inall. Granger had the
lead at the start closely followed by Mogul and
Virago. Sir Bedivere was fourth, the other three
straggling behind.
It was indeed a glorious sight as they thundered
_by on the green turf; now almost out of sight ;
now so close that you on feel their hot breath as
they pass, every muscle strained to its utmost. |
At the second post Granger dropped behind
Mogul, who took the lead. Virago, who was now
at her utmost speed, was gradually passed by Sir
Bedivere. And so the third post was reached.
As the fourth came into view, Granger bounded
forward, and at the fifth he regained his original
position, while at the same time Sir Bedivere passed
_ Mogul.
- The excitement now grew intense. Sir Bedivere
and Granger were running neck to neck, and
_ seemed to be flying through the air. They passed
the sixth amid cheers from the- enthusiastic spec-
_that Sir Badivers was bopitanine to ies Hos
and shivered, then, with a conyuletye: 2e8p
down upon the ground. : Be
The other horses shot forward, and d Grange :
the race.
feet again, being led to the stables. eyes
Then there was a long lapse. of waiting, 3
presently my young master came to me. — He was
deadly pale, and the hand that unfastened 1
hitching strap trembled as if with some stro
emotion ; then he mounted and be ee awa) }
master was moody and incHabie. answerin
friends’ spirited remarks with short mong if
as divulged, theirs went straight on ; sou Was
Sect by the pain I rushed forward bn
the bridge.
REWARD OF MERIT, 179
3 boards gave way and we were precipitated into the
‘water. .
- For an instant I was powerless ; the boards were
I in splinters all about us, and I felt myself drifting
4-25 ann, down into fathomless depths.
ane oe Then my master leaning down exclaimed :
Nes “Dear old Rufus, save me if you love me, for
both our sakes.”
_ ‘This seemed to put new life into my veins and I
plunged forward. I was stiff and cramped from
long standing, but I struck out with all my force
and was soon in the middle of the stream and free
ot the debris. By an almost superhuman effort I
- swam afew more strokes then fell, exhausted, on
the bank.
“Bravo, old boy !” exclaimed my master, ‘‘I can
never forget what you have done for me to-day.”
Then some of his friends came riding up, and I
_ feeling very stiff and bruised, was taken home.
_ After that day a great many changes occurred at
my master’s. I saw with alarm that many of his
horses were sold, his racing stables were broken up
and he himself moved from the Hall to a small
z cottage near by.
I began to feel frightened, Se I, too, should
2 have another master.
Poor Sir Bedivere was one of the last to go, and
he was sent to a connection of my master’s. ,
One-day he and I went over to this cousin’s place.
It was a magnificent park, and Sir Bedivere was
a
turned out to graze just as he was when I first
Brine lini, and my panics I fancie a
him father regretfully. ies
“Do what you can with Sir Bedivere,”
to his cousin, as he was about to mount. a He
fine horse.” - 2
~“T will do my Wee but the doctor £ says it i is
“What horse is this? He looks nee a ae or
Bare you found a purchaser for him hs bo ere
neck as he answered : 3 oes
“ Sell this. dear old fellow, ‘never ! Rabie save
my life, and I shall wk him till we have shares
my last farthing tog ei