The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia
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follow.Think well on what I say. Obey me, or never hope again to see the sungo down. Lead him away," he cried to the guards without, "and keep himseparate from the other prisoner. Well, Count," he said, turning tothat officer, "how think you I have managed with these traitors?"
"Admirably, Baron," answered Count Erintoff. "Yet I never saw so muchobstinacy displayed. I think you have worked upon them to comply withyour wishes; and, by their aid, I still have hopes of capturing youngSelem Gherrei."
"I know not," said the Baron; "there was a fierce stubborn look in thatboy's eye I scarce could have expected from one so young; but perhapsthe Gipsy, who seems to have a most romantic affection for him, may, forthe sake of saving him, obey my wishes. But if he does not, I swear nopower shall save them. To-morrow morning early, they must be tried: weknow the verdict. Go, Count, and make arrangements for their trial. Iwould be alone."
We must hope, for the sake of human nature, that the General would, inhis cooler moments, have altered the determination he had expressed;though the atrocious barbarities which that man was guilty of towardshis Circassian prisoners, when any, faint or senseless from theirwounds, fell into his hands, would repress any charitable constructionof his motives, and ensure only our hatred.
Conrin was removed to a rough small hut of logs, which had lately beenerected to serve the purpose of a prison; but it had, as yet, nooccupants, owing to the constant employment of the soldiers which keptthem from committing any faults. The ground was unbeaten, ends ofbranches projecting from the sides, and a log being left at one end toserve the purpose of a couch or seat for the prisoners; but as yet itwas not even hewn smooth. Conrin was thrust in by his guards, and thenleft to his solitary meditations, with some black bread and almoststagnant water; not worse fare, perhaps, than the soldiers themselveswere obliged to submit to. He threw himself on the rough log, deep sobsbreaking at times from his breast; while, with hands clasped in agony,he turned his eyes towards Heaven, as if imploring aid.
"No! no! hopeless is my lot! I am forsaken by the mighty Spirit! andthus to die without the slightest chance of one fond look on him forwhom I have sacrificed all on earth! Then the bitter anguish to feel heknows me not; or, if he knew, perchance would spurn my love. Death--annihilation would be better far. No, he shall never learn the truth.And yet I would that he should know how true and firm a heart mine was;and then, when I am reduced to the ashes from whence I sprung, perchancehe would cast some fond regret upon my memory. Oh! did I think that hewould love me, the very joy would make me laugh at death. But thus todie!" The sobs of the supposed page were renewed. He started, andstrove to suppress his agitation, for he heard steps approaching.
It was now midnight--that time when the feelings are the acutest, thenerves most easily excited; when the thoughts strive to wander o'er theregions of boundless space to search out things mysterious andinscrutable; when the spirit often seems to quit the bonds of this ourliving mortal frame, to visit ideal regions. It is not the spirits ofthe dead, which long have flown to other realms we wot not of, whichmortals fancy oft they see, but their own yet earthly souls are workedinto fever by some potent and subtle influence when the vivifying powerof the sun has been withdrawn.
Conrin listened earnestly.
"Ah! well I know that foot-fall! Oh! mine enemy, hast thou found me?Even now I feel his baneful influence, like that dark spirit who rovesabout to seek for prey. The bigot fools need not have decked him withother attributes than those of mortal man, when foul passions gain themastery over him."
"Who goes there?" shouted the sentry at the door of the hut.
"Your Colonel," answered the deep tones of Count Erintoff's voice."Stand there, and turn not till I call you."
After which words, Conrin heard the door of his prison open, and, by thelight which faintly streamed in, he beheld the tall form of the Count,who, closing the door, placed a lanthorn he carried in his hand on theground, so as to throw its rays on the features of the prisoner. Thepage rose not, spoke not, but remained in the attitude in which he hadbeen sitting, with his hands clasped together, and his head bent down.
The visitor surveyed him earnestly ere he addressed him, meditatingapparently on what he should say.
"I am come to give you liberty and life, instead of the death you somadly seem to seek. Think you I know you not? When yon dull sottishbear, the General, was questioning you, I knew you by the glance ofthose expressive features, that haughty brow, that lip curling in prouddisdain. Think you a boy would have stood undaunted before the furiousrage of yonder overbearing Baron, or would have returned him word forword and glance for glance? You played your part but ill just now,whatever you may have done before to deceive (if so you have) the youthyou followed to Circassia. Can he be so dull, so hard of heart, as notto recognise the maid who loves him? By Heavens, I do believe his witsso dull, his heart so careless of those charms which drove me neardistracted at their loss, that he has not yet discovered you; and lovesyou not, basking, as you humbly look on in the senile character of apage, in the bright smiles of some of those mountain beauties."
With an hysterical cry, the girl, finding further disguise was useless,exclaimed--
"Begone, base villain. What demon prompts you to come hither to tormentme?"
"Nay, nay, my pretty page," said the Count, approaching her, "I wouldnot wound your feelings for the universe. I merely spoke what I know tobe most true. I ask you why, for one who loves you not, you wouldsacrifice your life, and throw away all the bright offers that I havemade you, and which I would fulfil? Oh! it would be a cruel thing tolet those charms, which have enchained my heart, mingle with the dust,to leave this bright and joyous world so full of pleasures, (to thosewho have the sense to find them) to go you know not where. I do not askyou to betray the man you loved. I am not fool enough to think youwould do so, until you should be convinced that he despises you; thoughI believe that haughty rebel, young Selem Gherrei, as he is called,cares not for you. But fly hence with me, and I can easily deceive thisbrutish General. I offer you wealth and happiness, a bright andglorious future, where such charms as yours will far eclipse theproudest beauties of the capital. Believe me, I am not so dull a foolas not to appreciate that bright and soaring spirit--that proudundaunted soul--which raises you above your sex. I am not scrupulous asfools would be. I love you more myself, now that I know your heart iscapable of so much feeling; and I would make it all my own. Then come,loved girl. This instant you shall be free. A few days more will seeyou on your road to Russia, where wealth, luxury, and happiness, awaityou."
The Count approached yet nearer, and attempted to take the girl's hand.
"Man!" she exclaimed--"if you are not rather the incarnation of the evilone, begone. Come not to torment my heart, already almost broken.Know, then, that luxury and wealth are things I despise almost as muchas him who offers them; and as for happiness, I never in this worldshall know it again, nor have you the power to give it me. Begone, andleave me to myself. You stir not. Then if you will not obey mycommands, but still have a soul that can be influenced by prayer, oh!hear my earnest supplication, and leave me to myself."
"What madness makes you utter words like these?" said the Count. "Thinkwell of what you throw away, and of the dark fate which awaits you. TheBaron vows--and well I know he keeps his oaths when prompted by crueltyand revenge--that you must die to-morrow; and no mortal power but minecan save you. A word from me would rescue you. Fly with me. Ah! Ifyou refuse, think not the man you love will benefit by your sacrifice;for here I swear that I will pursue him with the utmost rancour toavenge your death, of which he has been the cause. He has crossed mypath before, and ere long I trust to see him in my power."
"You move me not by fear of any harm you can do him," answered the girlcalmly. "He is above your malice, and would despise your vows ofvengeance."
"If not for his sake then, save yourself for your own," exclaimed theCount. "Think how you will die, disgraced, unknown till after you
haveceased to breathe; and then you will be a thing for savage soldiers topass their brutal jest upon. Oh, why this madness? Let me save youfrom yourself, and fly with me."
The proud Count knelt at her feet, and again endeavoured to take herhand. "See," he exclaimed, "I kneel to you to beseech that you will letme save you from cruel death and contumely."
The girl then shrinking back, "Begone, I say, again," she cried."Believe me, I despise you far too much even to seek your pity."
The Count sprang to his feet. "Know then, wilful girl," he exclaimed,"that nothing shall save you. Your cruelty will change my love to hate;and though I still might save your life, I shall not rest until I seeyou die. None shall know that Count Erintoff has humbled himself invain.