The Daughter of an Empress

The door opened, and, followed by his generals, the enraged prince

appeared upon the threshold.

No one suffered himself to be disturbed; the priest continued the

service, the parties remained upon their knees, Anna Leopoldowna stood

looking on with a proud and tranquil smile.

Motionless, benumbed, as if struck by lightning, remained the prince

upon the threshold; behind him were seen the astonished faces of his

generals, who, on tiptoe, stretched their necks to gaze, over each

other's shoulders, upon this singular and unexpected spectacle!

At length a murmur arose, they pressed farther forward toward the door,

and, overcoming his momentary stupefaction, the prince ventured into the

room.

An angry glance of the priest commanded silence; with a louder voice he

continued his prayer. Anna Leopoldowna smilingly beckoned her husband to

her side, and slightly nodded to the generals.

They bowed to the ground before their august mistress, the regent.

Now came the closing prayer and the dispensation of the blessing. The

priest pronounced it kneeling,--the regent also bent the knee, and drew

the prince down beside her. Following the example of the generalissimo,

the other generals also sank upon their knees,--it was a general prayer,

which no one dared disturb.

The ceremony was ended. The priest kissed and blessed the bridal pair,

and then departed with his assistants; he was followed by the servants

of the favorite.

Anna now turned with a proud smile to the prince.

"Accident, my husband, has made you a witness of this marriage," said

she. "May I ask your highness what procures me this unexpected and

somewhat intrusive visit, and why my generals, unannounced, accompany

you to their regent and mistress?"

The embarrassed prince stammered some unintelligible words, to which

Anna paid no attention.

Stepping forward, she motioned the generals to enter, and with her

most fascinating smile said: "Ah, I think I now know the reason of your

coming, gentlemen! Your loyal and faithful hearts yearn for a sight of

your young emperor. It is true, his faithful subjects have not seen him

for a long time! Even a sovereign is not guaranteed against the evil

influences of the weather, which has lately been very rough, and for

that reason the young czar has been unable to show himself to his

people. Ah, it pleases me that you have come, and I am obliged to my

husband for bringing you to me so unexpectedly. You may now satisfy

yourselves that the emperor lives and is growing fast. Julia, bring us

the young emperor!"

Julia von Mengden silently departed, while Count Lynar, respectfully

approaching the regent, said a few words to her in a low tone.

"You are quite right, sir count," said the regent aloud, and, turning to

her husband and the generals, continued: "Count Lynar is in some

trouble about the unexpected publicity given to his marriage. There are,

however, important reasons for keeping it still a secret. The family of

my maid of honor are opposed to this alliance with the foreigner, and

insist that Julia shall marry another whom they have destined for her.

On the other hand, certain family considerations render secrecy the duty

of the count. Julia, oppressed by her inexorable relations, disclosed

the state of affairs to me, and as I love Julia, and as I saw that

she was wasting away with grief without the possession of her lover, I

favored her connection with Count Lynar. They daily saw each other in my

apartments, and, finally yielding to their united prayers, I consented

that they should this day be legally united by the priest, and thus

defeat the opposition of their respective families.