The Daughter of an Empress

The officer, who was no other than Stephano, bowed to her with a

slightly ironical smile.

"Justice needs no excuse," said he. "On the part and by command of her

illustrious majesty, the great Empress Catharine, I lay an attachment

upon this house and all it contains. It is from this hour the sacred

possession of her Russian majesty."

"It is the exclusive property of the Count Paulo!" proudly responded

Natalie.

"It was the property of Count Paul Rasczinsky," said Stephano. "But

convicted traitors have no property. This criminal count has been

convicted of high-treason. The mercy of the empress has indeed changed

the sentence of death into one of eternal banishment to Siberia, but

she has been pleased to approve the confiscation of all he possessed. In

virtue of this approval, and by permission of the holy Roman government,

I attach this house and its contents!"

Natalie no longer heard him. Almost unconscious lay she in Marianne's

arms. Paulo was lost, sentenced to death, imprisoned, and banished for

life--that was all she had heard and comprehended--this terrible news

had confused and benumbed her senses.

"Sir!" implored Marianne, pressing Natalie to her bosom, "you will at

least have some mercy upon this young maiden; you will not thrust us

out upon the streets; you will grant us a quiet residence in this house

until we can collect our effects and secure what is indisputably ours!"

"Every thing in this house is the indisputable property of the empress!"

roughly responded Stephano.

"But not ourselves, I hope!" excitedly exclaimed Marianne. "This

imperial power does not extend over our persons?"

Stephano roughly replied: "The door stands open, go! But go directly,

or I shall be compelled to arrest you for opposing the execution of the

laws, and stirring up sedition!"

"Yes, let us go," cried Natalie, who had recovered her

consciousness--"let us go, Marianne. Let us not remain a moment longer

in a house belonging to that barbarous Russian empress who has condemned

the noble Count Paulo as a criminal, and, robber-like, taken forcible

possession of his property!"

And, following the first impulse of her noble pride, the young maiden

took Marianne by the hand and drew her away.

"They, at least, shall not forcibly eject us," said she; "no, no, we

will go of our own free will, self-banished!"

"But where shall we go?" cried Marianne, wringing her hands.

"Where God wills!" solemnly responded the young maiden.

"And upon what shall we live?" wailed Marianne. "We are now totally

destitute and helpless. How shall we live?"

"We will work!" said Natalie, firmly. A peculiar calm had come over her.

Misfortune had awakened a new quality in her nature, sorrow had struck

a new string in her being; she was no longer the delicate, gentle,

suffering, unresisting child; she felt in herself a firm resolution, a

bold courage, an almost joyful daring, and an invincible calmness.