HE!
"It is now high time!" said Joseph Ribas, one day, as, coming fromNatalie, he entered the boudoir of Count Alexis Orloff. "Now, yourexcellency, the right moment has come! You must show yourself, or thiscurious child will consume herself with a longing that has changed herblood to fire! She thinks of nothing but you; with open eyes she dreamsof you, and without the least suspicion that any one is listening toher, she speaks to you, ah, with what modest tenderness and with whathumble devotion! I tell you, your excellency, you are highly blessed.There is no child more innocent, no woman more glowing with love. Andshe knows it not; no, she has not the least suspicion that she alreadyloves you with enthusiasm, and thirsts for your kisses as the rose forthe morning dew! She knows nothing of her love!"
"She shall learn something of it!" said Orloff, laughing. "It will bea pleasant task to enlighten this little unknowing one as to her ownfeelings. And I flatter myself I understand how to do that."
"Endeavor, above all things, your excellency, to realize the ideal shebears in her heart. She expects to see nothing less than an Apollo,whose radiant beauty will annihilate her as Jupiter did Semele!"
"Well, in that, I hope she has not deceived herself," responded Orloff,with a self-satisfied glance into the mirror. "If I am not Jupiter, yetthey call me Hercules, and he, you know, was the son of Jupiter, and,indeed, his handsomest son!"
"And be you not only a Hercules, but a Zephyr and Apollo, at the sametime. Make her tremble before your heroic character, and at the sametime win her confidence in your humble, modest love--then is she yours.You must cautiously and noiselessly spread your nets, you must not woundher delicate sensitiveness by a word or look, or she will flee from youlike a frightened gazelle!"
"Oh, should she wish to flee, my arms are strong enough to hold her!"
"Yet is it better to hold her so fast by her own enthusiasm, that sheshall not wish to flee," said Ribas. "You must entirely intoxicate herwith your humble and respectful love--then is she yours!"
"Does she know I am coming?" thoughtfully asked Orloff.
"No, she knows nothing of it. She sits in the garden and sighs,occasionally grasping the golden guitar that lies on her arm, and asksof the flowers: 'What is the name of my unknown friend? In what stardoes he dwell, and how shall I invoke him?'"
"I will, then, surprise her!" said Orloff. "Let her anticipate mycoming, but do not promise it. It begins to grow dark. Where is she,evenings?"
"Always in the garden. There she sighs and dreams of you!"
"Persuade her to go into the house, and let it be well lighted up!I would appear to her in the full splendor of the lights! Ha, youragamuffins, you hounds, bring me my oriental costume, the richest,handsomest; hasten, or I will throttle you!"
And Count Orloff hurried into his toilet-chamber, to the tremblingslaves who there awaited him.
With a sly smile Joseph Ribas returned to the villa. As he hadpreviously said, he found Natalie dreaming in the garden, the guitarupon her arm.
"You ought to go into the house this evening," said he, "the air is dampand cold, and may injure you."
"Of what consequence would that be?" she sadly responded. "Who would askwhether I was ill nor not? Who would weep for my death?"
"He!"
"Oh, he!" sighed she. "He hates all women!"
"Excepting you!" whispered Ribas. "Princess, go into the house! Takecare of your precious life. It is not I who beg it of you!"
"Who is it then?" she hastily interposed.
"It is he! He begs it of you!"
Natalie, springing up, hurried into the house.
"I will never again go into the garden in the evening!" said she. "It ishis command! Thank God, there is yet something in which I can obey, andhe commands it of me! But why these lights?" asked she, almost blindedby the brilliancy of the girandoles and chandeliers, the mirrors, andjewels.
"The count has so commanded!" said Ribas. "He loves a bright light! But,princess, cannot you remain in this boudoir for one evening? Only seehow beautiful it is, how enticingly cool, with these fountains thatrefresh the air and diffuse fragrance! How delightfully still and snugit is! Reposing upon these velvet cushions, you can look through thewhole suite of rooms, which in fact, tonight, flash and sparkle like theheavens, and yet in this boudoir there is a sweet twilight, refreshingto eye and heart!"
"No, no," said she, with a charming smile. "I also like brightness andlight! It is too dusky here!"
"Nevertheless, remain here!"
"And why?"
"He wishes it!" said Ribas mysteriously.
"He wishes it?" cried Natalie, turning pale, and trembling. Then,suddenly, a purple flush spread over her brow, and, reeling, she wasobliged to hold by a chair to prevent falling. "Ah," she stammered, "canit be possible? Can this happiness be intended? Is it true, what I readin your eyes? Is it? Comes he here?"
"Hope always!" said Ribas, suddenly disappearing through a side-door.
Natalie, benumbed by surprise, sank down upon the divan. A feeling ofboundless anxiety, of immeasurable ecstasy suddenly overcame her.She could have fled, but she felt as if spell-bound; she could haveconcealed herself from him, and yet was joyfully ready to purchasewith her life the happiness of seeing him. It was a strange mixture ofdelight and terror, of happiness and despair. She spread her arms towardheaven, she sought to pray, but she had no words, no thoughts, not eventears!
A slight rustle made her rise. Almost with terror flew her glancethrough the suite of rooms. There below she saw the approach ofsomething strange, singular, magical. It was a never-before-seenform, but surrounded by a wonderfully bright halo, enveloped in rich,glittering garments, such as she had never before seen. It was astrange, unknown face, but of a sublime, heroic beauty, proud and noble,bold and mild.
"That is he!" she breathlessly and sadly murmured--"yes, that is he!That is a man and a hero! Ah, I shall die under his glance!"
He still continued to approach, and with every forward step he madeshe felt her heart contract with anxiety, admiration, and a feverishsadness.
Now he stood on the threshold of the boudoir--his glance fell upon her.And she? She lay, or rather half knelt upon the divan, motionless, paleas a marble statue, with that divine smile which we admire in ancientsculpture.
Touching was she to behold, white and delicate as a lily, so humble anddevoted, so shelter-needing and love-imploring!
But Count Orloff felt neither sympathy nor compassion. He saw only thatshe was beautiful as an angel, an admirable woman, whom he desired topossess!
Proud as a king, and at the same time very reverential and submissive,he approached and sank upon his knee before the divan upon which shereclined in trembling yet blissful sadness.
"Princess Natalie," he murmured low, "will you be angry with your slavefor daring to intrude upon you without knowing whether he would bewelcome?"
She breathed freer. It was a relief to her to hear his voice--it madeher feel easier. He was no magician, no demon, he was a man, and spoketo her with human words! That gave her courage and strength, it gaveher back the consciousness of her own dignity. She was ashamed of heranxiety, her trembling, her childish helplessness. Yet she could saynothing, answer nothing. She only gave him her hand, and with a charmingsmile, an inimitable grace, and welcomed him with a silent inclinationof the head.
Taking her hand he pressed it to his lips. His touch seemed to kindlein her an electric glow, and with something like alarm she withdrew herhand.
"Are you, then, angry with me?" he asked in a tone of sadness.
"No," said she, "I am not angry, but I fear you. You are so great ahero, and your sword has done so many brave deeds. I looked at yoursword, and it alarmed me."
Count Orloff gave her a surprised and interrogating glance. Why saidshe that? Had she some suspicion, some mistrust, or was it only apresentiment, an inexplicable instinct, that made her tremble at hissword?
"No, she suspects nothing," thought he, as he gazed upon thatpure, innocent, chil
dish brow, which was turned toward him in piousconfidence, and yet with timid hesitation.
He loosened his sword from his girdle, sparkling with diamonds, andhumbly laid both at Natalie's feet.
"Princess," said he, "the empress herself girded me with this sword, andI swore it should never leave my side but with my life. You are dearerto me than my life or my honor, and I therefore break my sacred oath.Take my sword, I am now without arms, and you will no longer haveoccasion to tremble before me."
She smilingly shook her head. "You still remain a hero, though withoutarms--it lies in your eyes!"
"I would close my eyes," said he, "but then I should not see you,princess, and I have already so long languished for a sight of you!"
"Why, then, came you not sooner?" she asked, now feeling herselfentirely cheerful and unembarrassed. "Oh, did you but know howimpatiently I have awaited you!"
And with childish innocence she began to relate how much she had thoughtof him, how often she had dreamed of him, how she had sometimes spokenaloud to him, and almost thought she heard his answers!
Count Orloff listened to her with surprise and delight. Thus had he notexpected to find her, so childishly cheerful, so charmingly innocent,and yet at the same time with so much maidenly reserve, so much naturaldignity. Now she laughed like a child, now was her face serious andproud, now again tender and timid. She was at once a timid child and aglowing woman; she was innocent as an angel, and yet so full of sweet,unconscious maiden coquetry. She enchanted, while inspiring devotion,she excited passions and desires, while, with a natural maiden dignity,she kept one within the bounds of respect. She was entirely differentfrom what Orloff had expected; perhaps less beautiful, less dazzling,but infinitely more lovely. She enchanted him with her smile, and herinnocent childish face touched him.
"Speak on, speak on!" said he, when she became silent. "It is delightfulto listen to you, princess."
"Why do you call me so?" asked she, with a slight contraction of herbrow. "It is such a strange cold word! It does not at all belong tome, and it is only within the last few months that I have been thusaddressed. With wise and tender forbearance, Paulo long delayedinforming me that I was a princess, and that was beautiful in him. To bea princess and yet an orphan, a poor, deserted, helpless child, livingupon the charity of a friend, and tremulously clinging to his protectinghand! See, that is what I am, a poor orphan; why, then, do you call meprincess!"
"Because you are so in reality," responded Orloff, pressing the hem ofher garment to his lips--"because I am come to lead you to your splendidand powerful future!--because I will glorify you above all women onearth, and make you mistress of this great empire."
She regarded him with a dreamy smile. "You speak as Paulo often spoketo me," said she. "He also swore to me that he would one day place animperial crown upon my head, and elevate me to great power! I understoodhim as little as I understand you!"
A slight scornful smile momentarily passed over Orloff's features."Catharine has therefore rightly divined," thought he, "and her wisemind rightly understood this Rasczinsky. There was, indeed, question ofan imperial crown, and this was to have been the new little empress!"
Aloud he said: "You will soon understand me, princess, and it is timeyou knew of what crown Paulo spoke."
"I know it not," said she, "nor do I desire to know it! Perhaps it wasa jest, with which he sought to console me when I complained of beinga homeless orphan, a poor child, who knew not even the name of hermother!"
"Do you not know that?" exclaimed Orloff, with astonishment.
She sadly shook her head. "They would never tell it me," said she. "ButI have her image in my heart, and that, at least, I shall never lose orforget!"
"I knew your mother," said Orloff; "she was beautiful as you are, andmild and merciful."
"You knew her!" exclaimed the young maiden, grasping his hand andlooking at him with a confiding friendliness. "Oh, you knew her! Youwill now be doubly dear to me, for those bright eyes have seen mymother, and perhaps this hand which now rests in mine has also touchedhers!"
"That," said Count Orloff, with a smile, "I should not have dared to do;it would have been high-treason!"
"Was she, then, so great a sublime a princess?" asked Natalie.
"She was an empress!"
"An empress!" And the young maiden, sprang up with beaming eyes andglowing cheeks. "My mother was an empress!" said she, breathing hard.
"Empress Elizabeth of Russia."
Overcome by the feelings suddenly excited by this news, Natalie sankagain upon her seat and covered her face with her hands. Tears gushedout between her delicate, slender fingers; her whole being was inviolent, feverish commotion. Then, raising her arms toward heaven, witha celestial smile, while the tears overflowed her face, she said: "I am,then, no longer a homeless orphan; I have a fatherland, and my motherwas an empress!"
Count Orloff respectfully kissed the hem of her garment.
"You are the daughter of an empress," said he, "and will yourself be anempress! That was what Paulo wished, and therefore have they condemnedhim as a criminal. What he was unable to accomplish must be done byme, and for that purpose have I come. Princess Natalie, your fatherlandcalls you, your throne awaits you! Follow me to your crowning in thecity of your fathers--follow me, that I may place the crown of yourgrandfather, Peter the Great, upon your noble and beautiful head!"