The Daughter of an Empress

It was a sweetly painful hour--a farewell so tearful, and yet so full of

deeply-felt happiness. On that very night was the count to commence his

journey to Liefland and Warsaw. As they wished to make no secret of the

marriage, the count needed the consent of his court and his family.

Anna provided him with letters and passports. The best and fairest of

the estates of the crown in Liefland was assigned to Julia as a bridal

present, and the count was furnished with the proper documents to enable

him to take possession of it.

And finally came the parting moment! For the last time they lay in

each other's arms; they mutually swore eternal love, unconquerable

fidelity--all that a loving couple could swear!

Tearing himself from her embrace, he rushed to the door.

Anna stretches out her arms toward him, her brow is pallid, her eyes

fixed. The door opens, he turns for one last look, and nods a farewell.

Ah, with her last glance she would forever enchain that noble and

beautiful face--with her extended arms she would forever retain that

majestic form.

"Farewell, Anna, farewell!"

The door closes behind him--he is gone!

A cold shudder convulsed Anna's form, a bodeful fear took possession of

her mind. It lay upon her heart like a dark mourning-veil.

"I shall never, never see him again!" she shrieked, sinking unconscious

into Julia's arms.