The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia
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helplessness, treating him always with kindness, for whichhe has shewn his gratitude by every means in his power. From him Ilearned that the Baron had, some time before, married a lady of greatbeauty, who, his servants and dependants fancied, was a native of someforeign country, though they knew not from what part of the world shecame. Ladislau added that he himself perfectly knew, and that she wasof the Zingani race, and had been induced to marry the Baron, more forhis rank and wealth, than for any great love she bore him. This he soondiscovered, and in revenge treated her so barbarously, that she waspreparing to fly from his mansion, but was prevented. Soon after theunfortunate lady died, after giving birth to a child; but, previously tothat event, she had called the dwarf to her, and given some injunctions,which he had sworn most solemnly to fulfil, and even to keep secretwithin his own bosom.
"The Baron at first seemed repentant of his jealousy and tyranny, andgrieved for his loss, seeking to make amends by his kindness to thechild, for his cruelty to the mother; but, during his absence from homefor a time, the child had mysteriously disappeared, and all his attemptsat discovering it, had proved fruitless. Methought the dwarf gave asinister look, as he told me the tale. He said that the Baron had ragedand stormed at the loss of his child, but had at length given up allhopes of ever discovering the perpetrators of the deed; rather believingthat it had come to some violent end, and perhaps, when he first sawyou, the smiling cherub that you then were, he thought of supplying theplace of his own lost one.
"From the dwarf I learned, that the Baron bore a deadly hatred to mycountry, for the reverses he had so constantly met with there; and hehad sworn utterly to subdue, and reduce its inhabitants to the mostabject slavery. He knew little of the noble spirit which animated theirbosoms, while indulging in hopes of success against them. Ladislauadded, when the Baron found that you, a Circassian child, had been savedby one of his soldiers, he, with a refinement of cruelty, had determinedto bring you up, and teach you to feel the most deadly hatred againstyour own countrymen, if by chance they were not subdued before thattime. I thanked heaven that I was at hand to counteract his evilintentions, and the aim of my life has been, to inspire you with a loveof freedom, and a hatred of all tyranny and injustice. The Baron wouldbe less than human had he not one redeeming quality; having been afather himself, he seemed, when you were a child, to have some sparks ofaffection for you, beyond the object for which he has educated you. Hehas even now adopted you, and would leave you all his wealth, would youcomply with his requests. But oh! my loved son, be not seduced by theglittering baits he will offer--to turn traitor to your native land!Else shall my life, and all my sufferings have been in vain. Oh no!even I, to whom you are dearer than all else, counsel you to hazarddeath or captivity, rather than shed the blood of your countrymen, bythe side of their foes. Let me beseech you to fulfil the lofty purposefor which I consented to live in this hated place; and when I am nomore, as I soon shall be, then fly from hence, and endeavour to reachyour native land. That amulet, which you carry round your neck, hasalways been worn by the eldest son of the chieftain of your tribe. Nosooner shall your father's followers see it, than they will acknowledgeyou, if unhappily your noble father no longer lives. Seek the spotwhich was once your home, then proclaim yourself, and relate my unhappystory, when all with joy will own you; and should my loved husband stillexist, give him my parting sighs."
Her voice, during this recital, frequently faltered through weakness;and as she fell back exhausted at its close, a thrill of horror shotthrough her son's frame, as for an instant he thought that, in truth,her spirit had fled to the realms of bliss; but to his great joy, sheagain opened her eyes, to gaze on him she loved so deeply, as he heldher sinking form in his arms. He was overwhelmed with the interest ofthe story he had heard; and though he had loved her before he knew shewas his mother, how deep and earnest was his gratitude now for herdevoted, her heroic affection for him?
"Mother!" he cried, "I swear to obey your commands. Already have Iengaged in the accomplishment of a great work, after the issue of whichI will haste to that land, which oft have I visited in my dreams."
"Enough, my son, sure I am that heaven will protect you on your way; butI have yet more to add. When you reach your native land, oh! endeavourto instil into your countrymen that mild and pure religion, which thegood priest, who educated you, first taught me to know. It was once thereligion of our forefathers, and the cross--the emblem of that faith--isstill to be seen in the land. Oh! reclaim them to the true and ancientworship of their country. My loved son! let me gaze on thee once more,ere my sight fail me. May heaven guard thy life, and make thee thedeliverer of thy country! Then shalt thou be known by thy true name,and well wilt thou prove worthy of thy gallant father. I cannot longersee thee, my son; but kiss me once more, and receive my last sigh:--whenthou bearest it to thy father, say that I loved him to the last."
She ceased to speak, Ivan felt her form recline more heavily in hisarms; no pulse answered to his touch. She looked lovely still, but hereye had lost that mysterious expression of the mind, when the livingsoul yet animates the frame. Her spirit had fled!
In that bleak land died the lovely exile, far distant from her own sunnyclime: but she was happy at the last, when folded in the arms of thatson for whose sake she had so nobly endured long and weary captivity.
The young man uttered no loud complaint; but laid her form calmly on thecouch, and with reverent awe closed her eyes; then gazing earnestly onher features, he threw himself on his knees by her side. The attendantsentered, and found him in this posture when he was aroused by theentreaties of his faithful friend Ladislau, who led him unresistingly tohis chamber; and the kind-hearted dwarf then lavished his attentionsupon the bereaved Ivan.
The stern Lord of the mansion had been for some days absent, unaware ofhis captive's approaching liberation from her misery and thraldom; Ivanwas thereby enabled to indulge his grief without interruption.
Volume 1, Chapter XIII.
The female attendants and wives of the nearest serfs assembled to uttertheir lamentations over the body of the deceased, which was laid out ona couch, with the hands crossed on the breast, dressed in a crimsonrobe, and a rich coif placed on the head. The venerable priest who hadattended her when living, came to sprinkle incense over her body; andwhile thus engaged, he chaunted psalms in a low and solemn voice.
On the third day from her death, the remains of the lady were placed ina coffin covered with crimson cloth, and surrounded with torches; fromthence it was conveyed to the neighbouring church. At a distance,followed Ivan unknown and unnoticed, enveloped in his cloak; and as thepriest concluded the short funeral service, he drew near, and kneelingby the coffin, kissed that cold and inanimate hand: on that spot heagain swore to fulfil her commands, and to devote himself to the causeof his native country. With a tearless eye, but bursting heart; he sawall that he loved committed to the earth, and lingered long near thespot, until he was urged to depart by Ladislau.
The day after the sad ceremony had been performed, the Baron returned tothe chateau, but made no allusion to the melancholy event, nor did itappear to affect him in any way. Summoning Ivan to his presence soonafter his arrival:
"My plans are arranged," said he; "our gracious Emperor has appointed meto the command of a strong force, to quell the rebellious Circassians;and, in a short time, I hope to bring them under lawful subjection.This has ever been the height of my ambition. I own that thedifficulties are great; but if I fall, in you, Ivan, I hope to leave aworthy successor. In this parchment, you are made heir to all mypossessions; and our noble Czar, in consideration of my services, and asthe only favour that I have asked, will permit you to assume the samerank I bear."
Ivan, for a time, remained silent after this announcement. A momentousperiod to him had arrived, and he almost dreaded the effects of what hewas resolved to say, in reply.
"What, young man!" exclaimed the Baron, impatiently, "are you notoverpowered with gratitude? What mean you by this si
lence--that fixedgaze--those clenched hands? Do you hesitate to accept my offer? Speak,boy! thwart not my will, or you will deeply repent your folly!"
While the fierce old Baron raved like a wounded lion, lashing himselfinto fury, before him stood the young Circassian, calm, but determined,like some courageous hunter, who has been unexpectedly allured into thelair of the beast. After a still further protracted silence, he atlength addressed the Baron:
"I might once have accepted the noble offer you make me, Sir; but thattime is passed. I now know who I am: and rather would I toil as themeanest serf on your domain, than bear arms against that country--myown, my native land. Yes, Sir, I am a Circassian; and prouder am I tobelong to that heroic race, than to the highest rank the autocrat of allthe Russias can confer."
"What words are these I hear?" cried the Baron, furiously."Disobedience to my orders: rebellion