Read Online Free Book

The Daughter of an Empress

Page 579

"Yes, indeed," cried Orloff, laughing, "but in such cases you can

conceal yourself behind the cannon until the fight is over!"

"I shall remember your wise suggestion in time of need!" seriously

responded Joseph Ribas, bowing to the count.(*) "And where, your

excellency, is to be the scene of my present activity? Where am I to

gain my epaulets?"

(*) And, in fact, Ribas did remember it! At a later period,

having become a Russian admiral, he was intrusted with the

command of the flotilla which was to descend the Danube to

aid in the capture of Kilia and Ismail. But during the

investment of Ismail (December 21, 1790), Ribas concealed

himself among the reeds on the bank of the Danube, and did

not reappear until the danger was over and he could in

safety share in the booty taken by his sailors. But this

cowardice and avarice of their admiral very nearly caused a

mutiny among the sailors. It was not suppressed without the

greatest efforts.

"I will myself conduct you to the spot and show you the house where a

rich set of diamonds and some thousands of scudi are lying in company

with your epaulets!"

"And as I have rather long fingers, I shall be able to grasp both the

epaulets and the treasure," laughingly responded Ribas.

It was in the evening after this conversation of Orloff with Joseph

Ribas, a wonderfully brilliant evening, such as is known only under

Italian skies.

Natalie inhaled the soft air with delight, and drank in the intoxicating

odor of the flowers which poured out their sweetest fragrance in the

cool of the evening. She was on this evening unusually cheerful; with

the smiling brow and childish gayety, as in happier days, she skipped

down the alleys, or, with her guitar upon her arm, reposed upon her

favorite seat under the myrtle-bush near the murmuring fountains.

"I am to-day so happy, ah, so happy," said she, "in consequence of

having dreamed of Paulo--in my dream he was near me, spoke to me, and

that is a sure sign of his speedy return! Oh, certainly, certainly!

In my dream he announced it to me, and I distinctly heard him say: 'We

shall meet again, Natalie. I shall soon be with you!'"

"Ah, may this dream but prove true!" sighed Marianne, Natalie's faithful

companion. She was standing, not far from her mistress, with Carlo, and

both were tenderly observing the young maiden, who now smilingly grasped

her guitar and commenced a song of joy for Paulo's expected return!

"I have no faith in our count's return!" whispered Marianne while

Natalie was singing. "It is a bad sign that no news, not a line, nor

even the shortest message, had yet come from him. Something unusual,

some great and uncontrollable misfortune, must have prevented his

writing!"

"You do not think they have imprisoned him?" asked Carlo.

PrevPage ListNext