The Daughter of an Empress

Light as a gazelle, timid and trembling, Natalie had fled the crowd, and

now, stepping out into the garden, she breathed easier, it seeming to

her that she had escaped a danger.

"This night air will cool and refresh me, and I shall soon succeed in

finding Paulo," thought she, constantly wandering farther and farther

into the garden. But the brightness of the illuminated alleys annoyed

her. A more obscure and secluded path opening, Natalie entered it.

Ah, she needed solitude and stillness, and what knew she, this simple,

harmless child of Nature--what knew she whether it was proper and seemly

for a young woman thus alone to venture into these dark walks? She knew

not that she incurred any risk, or that one needed protection among

people!

Even farther resounded the noise of the festival--the clang of the music

sounded fainter and fainter. Natalie wandered farther and farther, happy

because alone!

Alone? What, then, was it that noiselessly and cautiously haunted her

steps, following every movement she made, constantly nearing her the

farther she found herself, as she supposed, from all other living

beings? What was it inaudibly creeping through the bushes, even its dark

shadow imperceptible, that followed her like a ghost?

It became stiller and stiller, and nearer crept the gloomy form that

lurked in her steps. Now with a sudden spring he rushes upon the maiden.

What gleams in his hand? It is a dagger. He swings it high, that he

may sink it deep. Then some one rushes from the bushes, seizes the

murderer's arm, wrests the dagger from his hand, hurls him to the earth,

and a dear, well-known voice cries: "Fly, Natalie, fly quickly to Count

Paulo! This serpent will no longer follow you! I have him fast, the

assassin!"

And Carlo broke out into a happy and triumphant laugh.

Natalie made no answer, she was paralyzed with terror; there was a

roaring in her ears, it darkened before her eyes, and she fell senseless

to the earth!

But her disarmed murderer sought to free himself from Carlo's grasp.

Struggling with his captor, he finally succeeded in half rising. Carlo

thought not of his own danger, but only of Natalie's, and it was only

on her account that he now loudly called for help, at the same time

exerting a superhuman strength to hold on upon his prisoner.

Voices were heard, lights approached, and Paulo's cry of anguish

resounded.

"Here, here!" anxiously cried Carlo, his strength already beginning to

fail him. And his call being recognized, people soon came with lights.

Count Paulo was already distinguishable, already Cardinal Bernis, with a

light in his hand, was hastening on in advance of the rest.

With a last powerful effort the prisoner succeeded in freeing himself.

"She is saved for this time, but my dagger will yet make her

acquaintance!" said he, with a scornful laugh, and like a serpent he

glided away among the bushes.