The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia
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have already done, in earnest of the future."
The Count then tendered a purse which Groff weighed in his hand, as ifto consider whether the bribe was high enough for the deed. "I will domy best to please you, Sir," he answered.
"Enough, I need now say no more then; ten times the sum you hold in yourhand shall be yours, if, by chance, I hear of that youth's death. Thepolice are not over vigilant in those matters, and I think the Baronwill take no great pains to discover the author of his son's death, forhe seems not to have much love for him. Now leave me, and think well onwhat I have said. Should the Gipsy girl fall into your snare, let meimmediately know of her arrival; but take care that she does not seeyour face--that alone is enough to frighten her, and she would rememberit. See that the wounded boy is well tended, that he may learn to speakwell of the owner of the mansion; and let the girl remain some time withhim, if possible, ere I go to her."
As soon as Groff had disappeared, the Count continued his walk throughthe corridor. "Fortune seems to favour me," he soliloquised; "as toyoung Galetzoff, I need trouble myself no more;--his fate is sealed! Isaw that in the look that villain Groff gave, as I promised him thegold! His eyes glistened as he seemed eager to clutch it. He is afaithful ruffian, and well earns his reward. Such slaves as he, wouldsell their very souls for gold; and I, some would say, would sell mine;but oh! for what?--Not for gold; no;--for revenge--for love--for power--a worthy exchange too! What would life be worth, if one could not enjoyall three?
"That Gipsy maiden has enchained me. I scarce know why, but, thoughlowly her lot, there is a fascination about her which I cannotwithstand. I must win her at all hazards in some way. Either gold orflattery must gain her; she must be more than woman if she holds outagainst the two combined. And if she does, with that proud and haughtyair she possesses, she is worthy to become the Countess Erintoff, thoughthat is an alternative I would avoid. Bah! I cannot think I shall bebrought so low as to sue at the feet of a Gipsy!"
While the Count was thus uttering his thoughts aloud, Groff returned.
"Success attends us, Sir," he exclaimed. "The maiden is at length safewithin your palace, from whence she may have some difficulty inescaping, though she firmly believes that she is under the roof of themost grave and virtuous Prince Raziminski, and continues heapingblessings on his head, for his charity in protecting one of her tribe."
"Enough, knave! the reward shall be yours," said the Count. "In whatpart of the palace have they put the boy?"
"I will lead you to it, Sir," answered Groff, "for I doubt if alone youcould find the room."
"Shew me to it then, and leave me," said the Count; "your presence wouldalarm the maiden!"
Saying which, he followed Groff down several flights of steps, andthrough long passages to a room in the lower part of the palace. Hethen waited at the half open door, through which he heard the sound ofvoices.
"I thought that few of the nobles of this city possessed charitysufficient to shelter a humble Gipsy boy; but I see that I am mistaken,and may blessings rest on the head of the good and kind Prince," saidAzila.
"He is indeed, kind," said one of the boys, "for he has sent usabundance of good things to eat, and his servants told us we should havemore, and that he would send us away with plenty of money in ourpockets."
"He will not go unrewarded. See, Conrin! I have bound up yourbrother's arm, and he will now do well, and if the kind Prince will letyou remain, you must take charge of him, for I have matters ofimportance to attend to, and must away!"
Hearing this, the Count moved from the door, and went in search of aservant.
"Go quickly," said he, "to the chamber where the wounded boy and theGipsy girl are, and say that the Prince--mark you, the Prince, yourmaster, desires to see her, ere she departs, to inquire how her brotherfares; then conduct her to the state apartment. Guard her well, and seethat she escapes not, by any chance."
The Count repaired immediately to the magnificent room he had mentioned,to await the coming of Azila. The floor was covered with rich Turkeycarpets; superb pictures, and mirrors, reaching from the ground to thehighly embossed ceiling, ornamented the walls, the latter reflecting theluxurious and handsome furniture which filled the room, while from thewindows was seen an extensive view of the beautiful city of Moscow.
"Though other means have failed," he said, "I will try if she is not tobe tempted by this display of magnificence and luxury to become themistress here. Surely a girl, brought up beneath a skin-covered tent,cannot resist such a temptation; and if so, my conquest is easy."
He stood partly concealed by the thick drapery of the curtains; a lightstep approached; Azila entered the apartment, and the door was closedbehind her. She was dressed in the same graceful costume as when Ivanand Thaddeus had first seen her, except that a cloak, worn over herdress, almost concealed her form. She advanced to the centre of theapartment, ere she had perceived the Count, when he turned towards her.She started slightly as she saw him, but betrayed no other sign oftrepidation or fear.
"I must have been deceived," she said. "I came to thank the noblePrince Raziminski for his kindness and charity to a wounded boy of mytribe; but it seems that to you is due the credit of that charitabledeed. I will send some of our people to take away the child, and beg tooffer you our grateful thanks for your charity in taking care of him.With your leave I will now depart."
She was turning to go, when the Count advanced somewhat nearer towardsher.
"Lovely girl," he said, with an impassioned air, "I took advantage ofthe boy's accident, and used an excusable artifice to draw you here. Isought but to see you, to convince you of the ardour--the truth of myaffection. Believe me, that I regret the violence I before used, whichyour coldness--your cruelty compelled me to resort to. Let me hear mypardon from those lips, beautiful maiden! 'tis all I ask for!"
"For the favour you have done to one of my tribe, I would endeavour toforget any injury you would have caused me. Beyond this, I have nothingto forgive: I bear you no malice, noble Lord! and all I now ask is leaveto depart," said Azila.
"Still haughty and cold! why this indifference? you know not the love--the passion--with which your charms have inspired my bosom. Surely itcannot be in your nature to be thus so cruel to me, who love you todesperation, who would do ought to please you. Behold this spaciouspalace! these magnificent chambers! Are they not superior to yourskin-covered tents? Remain, and you shall be mistress of all;numberless servants will obey you; sumptuous fare shall be served toyou; boundless wealth shall be at your command. Every luxury andindulgence which love can invent shall surround you, if you will butconsent to accept them at my hands. Whatever you may desire--anything--every thing shall be granted to you?"
"I make but one simple demand," answered the maiden. "It is to beallowed to depart, free as I came;--more I cannot say."
"Have you no other answer to make than that, cruel, inexorable maiden?Hear me!" exclaimed the Count, throwing himself at her feet, and seizingher hand, which she vainly endeavoured to disengage. "Hear me! I love,I adore you to desperation; your very coldness has inflamed my passion!the bright glance of your eyes consumes me; the sweet tones of yourvoice thrill through my frame, and drive me to madness at the thought oflosing you! I cannot exist without you. Hear me once again! I offeryou wealth, power, unbounded luxury! I offer you more--my name--myrank--for well could you, as the Countess Erintoff, grace that station.Speak, ere I die at your feet, for I rise not till you give me hopes oflife and happiness with you."
Azila for an instant seemed moved, and turned aside her head, to avoidhis fixed gaze; but there was no answering softness in the expression ofher full bright eye.
She spoke at length: "Rise, noble Lord! rise, you but demean yourself bythus bending before one humble as myself! I am grateful for yourgenerous offers, but I cannot accept them. A captive can make no justconditions with his jailor, and I still ask but one favour; to depart asI came."
The Count started from the ground,
astonishment and rising fury blendingin his look.
"Can that heart," he exclaimed, "be so frozen by the frosts of winter,that it is callous to the voice of love? But no, it would be contraryto the law of nature, it is impossible! Maiden, you love another! Iknow it--answer me--is it not the truth? By heavens! I cannot brook arival in your love, and he shall deeply rue it!"
As the Count spoke, a blush did now for the first time rise on hercheeks and brow, and as he went on threatening his vengeance, withfurious action against his rival, the colour again forsook her face, andleft her as she then stood in an unintentionally commanding attitude;like some lovely statue of a goddess uttering her commands to mortals.
"If my love is given to another, why