The Daughter of an Empress

"You shall have them," said Orloff, "from the mouth of

Stephano.--Stephano!"

The person called immediately appeared at the door of a side-room.

"Stephano," said Orloff, "now to work, friend. The courier who arrived

to-day has brought us good news and full powers. Count Paul Rasczinsky

is sent to Siberia for high-treason--his property is confiscated and

falls to the state. I have an unlimited power, signed by the empress

herself, to seize and sell his possessions here in the name of the

empress. Take with you some attorney and officers and go to his villa.

But, first of all, help our little Joseph Ribas to his uniform and

epaulets, that he may be properly costumed for a rescuer and benefactor.

And now, away with you! Instruct him well, Stephano. Ah, I should like

to be present at this delightful comedy!"

And Count Orloff broke out into a hearty laugh.

"This whole affair is very entertaining and romantic," he said to

himself, as soon as he was alone. "I am truly very thankful to Catharine

for intrusting it to me. I love the adventurous and romantic. Indeed,

whom else could she have chosen for this business? I should like to know

who would dare to enter the lists with me, the Russian Hercules, and who

would be so bold as to contend with me for this prize?"

Thus speaking, he rose from the divan and stepped to the great Venetian

mirror, before which he long remained attentively viewing himself.

"Ahem! this tender Empress Catharine knows how to judge of manly

beauty," murmured he, with a self-satisfied smile, "and I cannot blame

her for so often giving me the preference over my brother Gregory.

Besides, I shall first appear before this little Princess Natalie in

my antique dress. Catharine has often told me I was enchanting in my

antique costume. Well, we will also let this enchantment work a little

here. But first we must think of what is nearest to us. This Corilla

has rendered us a service, and we must be grateful. They say she loves

diamonds. I shall therefore send her these diamonds which her eleve

Joseph Ribas last night made the property of the Russian crown. And with

them I will send a little billet, written with my own hand. Who

knows but that this will give her more pleasure than the sparkling

brilliants!"

In that, however, the handsome Count Orloff was mistaken. The poetess

Corilla therein resembled to a hair the prima-donnas and heroines of the

stage of the present day. She attached a great value to diamonds, and

knowing that Russia was very rich in gold and diamonds, she always had

an especially bewitching smile for Russian grandees. Had Count Orloff

come in person to bring the diamonds, she would undoubtedly have more

admired him, apparently been more pleased with his presence than with

his costly gift; but, as he was not there, there was no necessity for

dissimulation.