The Daughter of an Empress

by L. Mühlbach

  THE INVASION

  Corilla had kept her word. She had sent to Alexis Orloff, Carlo'sbrother, Joseph Ribas, the galley-slave, and with a malicious smileshe had said to the latter, "You will avenge me on your treacherousbrother?"

  Count Orloff warmly welcomed Corilla's _protege_.

  "If you give me satisfaction," said he, "you may expect a royalrecompense, and the favor of the exalted Empress of Russia. First ofall, tell me what you can do?"

  "Not much," said Joseph Ribas, laughing, "and the little I can will yetbe condemned as too much. I can very dexterously wield the dagger, andreach the heart through the back! Because I did that to a successfulrival at Palermo, I was compelled by the police to flee to Naples. Therea good friend taught me how to make counterfeit money, an art which Ibrought to some perfection, and which I successfully practised for someyears. But the police, thinking my skill too great, finally relieved mefrom my employment, and gave me free board and lodging for ten years inthe galley. Ah, that was a happy time, your excellency. I learned muchin the galleys, and something which I can now turn to account in yourservice. I learned to speak the Russian language like a native ofMoscow. Such a one was for seven years my inseparable friend andchain-companion, and as he was too stupid or too lazy to learn mylanguage, I was forced to learn his, that I might be able to conversewith him a little. That, your excellency, is about all I know; to wieldthe dagger, make counterfeit money, speak the Russian language, andsome other trifling tricks, which, however, may be of service to yourexcellency."

  "Who knows?" said Orloff, laughing. "Do you understand, for example, howto break into a house and steal gold and diamonds, without being caughtin the act?"

  "That," said Joseph, thoughtfully, "I should hope to be able toaccomplish. I have, indeed, as yet, had no experience in that line, butin the galleys I have listened to the soundest instructions, and heardthe experiences of the greatest master of that art, with the curiosityof an emulous student!"

  Orloff laughed. "You are a sly fellow," said he, "and please me much.If you act as well as you talk, we shall soon be good friends! Well,to-morrow night you make your first essay. The business is an invasion."

  "And that shall be my masterpiece!" responded Joseph Ribas.

  "If you succeed, I will, in the name of my illustrious empress,immediately take you into her service, and you become an officer of theRussian marine."

  Joseph Ribas stared at him with astonishment. "That is certainly animmense honor and a great good fortune," said he, "only I should liketo know if the Russian marine engages in sea-fights, and if the officersare obliged to stand under fire?"

  "Yes, indeed," cried Orloff, laughing, "but in such cases you canconceal yourself behind the cannon until the fight is over!"

  "I shall remember your wise suggestion in time of need!" seriouslyresponded Joseph Ribas, bowing to the count.(*) "And where, yourexcellency, is to be the scene of my present activity? Where am I togain 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 arich set of diamonds and some thousands of scudi are lying in companywith your epaulets!"

  "And as I have rather long fingers, I shall be able to grasp both theepaulets and the treasure," laughingly responded Ribas.

  It was in the evening after this conversation of Orloff with JosephRibas, a wonderfully brilliant evening, such as is known only underItalian skies.

  Natalie inhaled the soft air with delight, and drank in the intoxicatingodor of the flowers which poured out their sweetest fragrance in thecool of the evening. She was on this evening unusually cheerful; withthe smiling brow and childish gayety, as in happier days, she skippeddown the alleys, or, with her guitar upon her arm, reposed upon herfavorite seat under the myrtle-bush near the murmuring fountains.

  "I am to-day so happy, ah, so happy," said she, "in consequence ofhaving dreamed of Paulo--in my dream he was near me, spoke to me, andthat 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: 'Weshall meet again, Natalie. I shall soon be with you!'"

  "Ah, may this dream but prove true!" sighed Marianne, Natalie's faithfulcompanion. She was standing, not far from her mistress, with Carlo, andboth were tenderly observing the young maiden, who now smilingly graspedher guitar and commenced a song of joy for Paulo's expected return!

  "I have no faith in our count's return!" whispered Marianne whileNatalie was singing. "It is a bad sign that no news, not a line, noreven the shortest message, had yet come from him. Something unusual,some great and uncontrollable misfortune, must have prevented hiswriting!"

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

  "I fear it," sighed Marianne. "And if so, what fate then awaits ourpoor princess? Helpless, alone, without means! For if the count isimprisoned, he will no longer be in a condition to send money as hepromised. And we now possess only a thousand scudi, with double thatamount in diamonds!"

  "Then we are still rich enough to keep off deprivations for a time!"said Carlo.

  "But when at length these last resources are exhausted?" askedMarianne--"when we no longer have either money or diamonds--how then?"

  "Oh, then," exclaimed Carlo, with a beaming face, "then will we laborfor her! That, also, will be a pleasure, Marianne!"

  While the two were thus conversing, Natalie, with a happy smile andcheerful face, was still singing her hymn of joy for Paulo's approachingreturn to the accompaniment of the rustling trees, the murmuringfountains, and the chirping birds in the myrtle-bush. It was a beautifulnight, and as the bright full moon now advanced between the pines,illuminating Natalie's face and form, the partially intoxicated andperfectly happy Carlo whispered: "Only look, Marianne! does she notresemble a blessed angel ready to spread her wings, and with themoonlight to mount up to the stars? Only look, seems it not as if themoonbeams tenderly embraced her for the purpose of leading an angel backto its home?"

  "May she, at least, one day, with such a happy smile, take her departurefor the skies!" sighed Marianne, piously folding her hands.

  At this moment a shrill, cutting wail interrupted Natalie's song. Astring of her guitar had suddenly snapped asunder; frightened, almostangry, Natalie let the instrument fall to the earth, and again thestrings resounded like lamentations and sighs.

  "That is a bad omen," sighed Natalie. "How, if that should be true, andnot my dream?"

  And trembling with anxiety, the young maiden stretched forth her handstoward her friends.

  "Carlo--Marianne," she anxiously said, "come here to me, protect me withyour love from this mortal fear and anguish which has suddenly come overme. See, the moon is hiding behind the clouds. Ah, the whole world growsdark and casts a mourning veil over its bright face!"

  And the timid child, clinging to Marianne's arm, concealed her face inthe bosom of her motherly friend.

  "And you call that an omen!" said Carlo, with forced cheerfulness. "Thistime, princess, I am the _fatum_ which has alarmed you! It is my ownfault that this string broke. It was already injured and half brokenthis evening when I tuned the guitar, but I hoped it would suffice forthe low, sad melodies you now always play. Yes, could I have known thatyou would have so exulted and shouted, I should have replaced it withanother string, and this great misfortune would not have occurred."

  While speaking, he had again attached the string and drawn it tight.

 
"The defective string is quickly repaired, and you can recommence yourhymn of joy," he said, handing back the guitar to Natalie.

  She sadly shook her head. "It is passed," said she, "I can exult andsing no more to-day, and have an aversion to this garden. See how blackand threatening these pines rise up, and do not these myrtle-bushesresemble large dark graves? No, no; it frightens me here--I can nolonger remain among these graves and these watchers of the dead! Come,let us go to our rooms! It is night--we will sleep and dream! Come, letus immediately go into the house."

  And like a frightened roe she fled toward the house, the othersfollowing her.

  In an hour all was silent in the villa. The lights were successivelyextinguished in Natalie's and Marianne's chambers; only in Carlo'slittle chamber yet burned a dull, solitary lamp, and occasionally theshadow of the uneasy singer passed the window as he restlessly walkedhis room. At length, however, this lamp also was distinguished, and allwas dark and still.

  About this time a dark shadow was seen creeping slowly and cautiouslythrough the garden. Soon it stood still, and then one might havesupposed it to be a deception, and that only the wind shaking the pineshad caused that moving shadow. But suddenly it again appeared in amoonlighted place, where no bush or tree threw its shade, and, as ifalarmed by the brightness, it then again moved aside into the bushes.

  This shadow came constantly nearer and nearer to the house, and as thewalks were here broader and lighter, one might distinctly discernthat it was a human being, the form of a tall, stately man, that socautiously and stealthily approached the house. And what is that,sparkling and flashing in his girdle--is it not a dagger, together witha pistol and a long knife? Ah, a threatening, armed man is approachingthis silent, solitary house, and no one sees, no one hears him! Even thetwo large hounds which with remarkable watchfulness patrol the gardenduring the night, even they are silent! Ah, where, then, are they? Carlohad himself unchained them that they might wander freely--where, then,can they be?

  They lie in the bushes far from the house, cold, stiff, and lifeless.Before them lies a piece of seductively smelling meat. That was what hadenticed them to forget their duty, and, instead of growling and barking,they had with snuffling noses been licking this tempting flesh. Theirinstinct had not told them it was poisoned, and therefore they now laystiff and cold near the food that had destroyed them.

  No, from those hounds he had nothing more to fear, this bold, audaciousman; the hounds will no more betray him, nor warningly announce thatJoseph Ribas, the venturesome thief and galley-slave, is lurking aboutthe house to steal or murder, as the case may be.

  He has now reached the house. He listens for a moment, and asall remains still, no suspicious noise making itself heard, withpitch-covered paper, brought with him for the purpose, he presses in oneof the window panes. Then, passing his hand through the vacancy causedby the absent pane of glass, he opens one wing of the French window,and, by a bold leap springing upon the parapet, he lets himself glideslowly down into the room.

  Again all is still, and silent lies the solitary, peaceful villa.Suddenly appears a small but bright light behind one of these darkwindows.

  That is the thief's lantern, which Joseph Ribas has lighted toilluminate his dark, criminal way.

  He cautiously ascends the stairs leading to the second story, and not astep jars under his feet, not one, nor does the slightest noise betrayhim.

  He is now above, in the long corridor. Approaching the first door, helistens long. He hears a loud breathing--some one sleeps within. Withone sole quick movement he turns the key remaining in the lock. The dooris now locked, and the sleeper within remains undisturbed. Joseph creepsalong to the next door, and again he listens to ascertain if there beanything stirring within. But no, he hears nothing! All is still behindthe door.

  He draws a pistol from his girdle, cocks it, and, thus prepared toresist every attack, he suddenly opens the door. No one is in the room,no one but Joseph Ribas the thief, who, with flashing eyes, suspiciouslyand carefully examines every hole and corner.

  But no, no one is there. Calm and sure, Joseph Ribas, steps into theroom, drawing and bolting the door behind him. No one can now surprisehim, no one can fall upon him from behind. But yes, there is also adoor on each side, right and left. He listens at the first, he thinks hehears a light breathing; here also he quickly shoves a bolt and passesover to the other door, which stands ajar. Cautiously he pushes it openand looks in. A small, dull lamp is burning there, lighting the lovelyface of the sleeping Princess Natalie.

  "That is she!" low murmured Ribas, as with eager glances he observesthe young and charming maiden. He is drawn forward as if with invisiblebands--he penetrates into this sacred asylum of the slumbering maiden.But he forcibly checks his advance. "I have sworn not to touch her,and I will keep my word, that I may secure my epaulets!" he muttered tohimself, and, retreating into the first chamber, he bolts the door, tomake all sure, that leads into Natalie's chamber.

  "Now to the work!" said he, with decision. "Here stands the bureau, thetreasure must be here."

  And, placing his dark lantern upon a table, he draws forth his picklockand chisels, and commences breaking open the bureau. Right--thisthievish instinct has not deceived him, he has found all, all. Here isthe little box of sparkling diamonds, and here the full purses of money.

  With a knavish smile, Joseph Ribas conceals the brilliants in his bosom,and deposits the money in his capacious pockets.

  "It is a pity that this is not mine," he muttered with a grin, "buttoward this count I must act as an honorable thief, and I have promisedto bring it all truly to him."

  The work is completed, the malicious criminal act is performed. He cannow go, can again creep away from the house his feet have soiled.

  Why does he not? Why does he linger in these rooms? Why directs he suchwild and eager glances to the door behind which Natalie sleeps?

  He cannot withstand the temptation, and even at the risk of awakingNatalie, he must see her once more! And, moreover, what had he to fearfrom an isolated young girl? He will only have one more look at her.Nothing more!

  He noiselessly pushes back the bolt; noiselessly, upon tiptoe, withclosed lantern, he creeps into the room and to Natalie's bedside.

  She is wonderfully beautiful, and she smiles in her slumber. Howcharming is that placid face, that half-uncovered shoulder, that armthrown up over her head, where it is half concealed under her luxuriantlocks! Wonderfully beautiful is she. Dares he to touch that arm andbreathe a kiss, a very light kiss, upon those fragrant lips? Why not? Noone sees him, nor will Count Alexis Orloff ever know that his commandshave been disobeyed.

  But as he bent down, as his breath comes only in light contact with hercheek, she stirs! Maiden modesty never slumbers; it watches over thesleeping girl, it protects her. It is her good genius who never desertsher.

  Drawing herself up, Natalie opens her eyes and starts up from her couch.Then she sees a large, threatening masculine form close before her,close before her that wildly-laughing face.

  A shriek of terror and anguish bursts from her lips, and in a tone ofalarm she calls: "Carlo, Carlo! Help! help! Carlo! Save--"

  More she did not say. With a wild rage, angry, and ashamed of his ownfolly, Joseph Ribas rushes upon her.

  "One more cry!" he threateningly said--"one more call for help, and Iwill murder you!"

  But at this moment a small curtained door which Ribas had not remarkedand hence not fastened, was suddenly opened, and Carlo rushed in.

  "I am here, Natalie!--I am here!"

  Rushing upon the stranger, and grasping him with gigantic strength, hethrust him down from the bed.

  Joseph Ribas turned toward his new and unexpected enemy. The lamplighted his face, and falling back Carlo shrieked, "My brother!"

  Joseph Ribas broke out into a loud, savage laugh. "At length we meet,my brother," said he. "But this time you shall not hinder me in my work.This time I am the conqueror!"

  "No, no, that you are not!" cried C
arlo, beside himself with pain andrage. "Confess what you want in this house--confess, or you are a deadman!"

  And with a drawn dagger he rushed upon his opponent!

  A frightful struggle ensued. Natalie, in her night-dress, pale as alily, knelt upon her bed and prayed. She had folded her hands over herbreast, directly over the place where the papers confided to her byPaulo, in a little silken bag, always hung suspended by a golden chain.

  "Grant, O my God," prayed she--"grant that I may keep my promise toPaulo, and that I may defend these papers with my life!"

  And the two brothers were still struggling and contending; like twoserpents they had coiled around each other, and held each other in theirtoils.

  "Flee, flee, Natalie!" groaned Carlo, with a weakened voice--"flee awayfrom here! I yet hold him, you are yet safe! Flee!"

  But in this moment the maiden thought not of her own danger. She thoughtonly of Carlo. Springing from her bed, with flashing eyes she boldlythrew herself between the contending men.

  "No, no," said she, courageously, "I will not flee--I shall at leastknow how to die!"

  A shriek resounded from Carlo's lips, his arms relaxed and fell from hisenemy, leaving his brother free.

  "Ah, finally, finally!" gasped the panting Joseph. "That was anamusing carnival farce, my virtuous brother! Farewell! I am this timetriumphant!"

  With a wild leap he sprang to the door; brandishing his bloody daggerin his right hand, he ran through the corridor, down the stairs, and outinto the garden.

  "Saved!" said he, breathing more freely. "I think this Russian will besatisfied with me! I bring the money and the diamonds, and at the sametime have effectually opened a vein for this troublesome protector! Ah,it seems to me I have very successfully put in practice my studies inthe high-school of the galleys!"

  And, humming a jovial song, Joseph Ribas swung himself into a tree closeto the wall, and let himself down on the other side.

  Above, in Natalie's chamber, Carlo long lay stretched on the floor,pale, with the death-rattle in his throat. In a bright stream flowed theblood from the wound made by his brother's dagger. Natalie knelt byhim. No tear was in her eye, no lamentation escaped her lips. She seemedperfectly calm and collected in her excess of sorrow; she only soughtwith her robe and her hair to cover Carlo's wound and stop the flow ofblood.

  A happy smile played upon Carlo's blue lips.

  "I die," he murmured, "but I die for thee! Thy _vapo_ has kept his word,he has defended thee until his last breath! How good is God! He lets medie in thy service!"

  "No, no, you must not die!" cried Natalie, her calmness giving way tothe wildest sorrow. "No, Carlo, you must live! Oh, say not that you die!Ah, you love me, and yet you would leave me alone! Only live, and I alsowill love you, Carlo, as warmly and as glowingly as you love me! Do butremain with me, and my heart, my life shall be yours!"

  "Too late! too late!" murmured Carlo, with dying lips. "Remember me,Natalie--I have dearly loved you. I die happy, for I die in your arms!"

  "No, no, you shall live in my arms!" sobbed she. "I will be yours--yourbride!"

  "Kiss me, my bride," he falteringly stammered.

  She bent over him, and with hers she touched his lips, alreadystiffening in death. She laid her warm, glowing cheek to his cold andmarble-pale face; that full, fresh life pressed that which was cold andexpiring to her bosom in an ardent struggle with death! In vain!

  Death is inexorable. What he has once touched with his hand, that ispast recovery, it is his.

  The blood no longer flowed from Carlo's wound, the breath no longerrattled in his throat--it was silent; but a blessed smile still lay uponhis lips. With this smile had he died, happy, blessed in the embrace ofher he had so truly loved.

  When Marianne, after long and vain efforts to open the door, had finallymanaged, by tying her bed-clothes together, to let herself down into thegarden, and had thence hastened into the house, and up into Natalie'schamber, she found there all silent and still. Nothing stirred. Natalielay in a deathlike swoon.

  He, Carlo, already stiffened in death, and she, the senseless Natalie,with her head reclining against the marble face of her friend!

  Poor Natalie! Why must Marianne succeed in awakening thee from thyswoon? Why did you not let her continue in her insensibility, Marianne?In sleep, she at least would not have realized that she was now leftentirely alone, entirely abandoned, with no one to defend her againsther cruel and artful enemies, of whose existence she never once dreamed!