Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1839-07-27
IeI(SrRl4a1t1e,
From the New York Express.
THE IDRIAN MINER.
AN AUSTRIAN TALE.

The palace Of the Countess Of Floren-
helm was thronged with lordly company.
Every splendid saloon had been thrown
open: but among the beauteous forms as
sembled there, the young Countess herself
was the most admired. 1t might be that
every eye looked in almost determined
admiration upon one SO gentle, and so dis
by birth and fortune. But the
young and innocent Blanca was very
lovely. The usual expression Of her large
hazle eyes was eloquent tenderness, her
features were beautiful, and every move
ment Of her tall and delicate form was by
nature graceful; though her dress was
adorned by jewels of immense value, its
appearance was less magnificent than
simple.
That day she had taken possession Of
her princely wealth, and, for the first
time, she appeared as the mistress of her
own palace; her manner was perfectly
dgnlfed and easy, but during the whole
evening, the rich bloom of her cheek was
heightened by continual blush.
The Empress remained some hours at
the Florenheim palace, delighted with the
appearance and conduct Of the young and
noble orphan. The parents of the Count
ess had deserved and enjoyed the favor of
their Sovereigns, and Maria Theresa
loved to distinguish their child.
Every guest had departed; and the
young Countess stood alone in her spa
cious and magnificent saloon. She press
ed her hands for moment over her eyes,
for they ached with the glare of the tapers
still blazing around her. She looked at
the beautiful flowers which hung in fading
aarlands around :he room, and sighed.
With true girlish fancy, she took down
large dropping branch Of roses from the
tall candelabra beside her; the blossoms
were al faded; she sighed again; her
heart had not been in the gaity and splen-
dor Of the evening, and now she had
leisure to attend 10 The silent thoughts of
her bosom. She thought of her betrothed
husband, and she could not help reproaeh-
ing herself for having shared in any way
the festivities around her, while Ernest
Albert was exposed to the dangers Of
war.
As The young Countess was retiring to
rest, the arrival ola person who earnestly
requested to see her that very night, was
announced; she hesitated at first, but
after n few moments consideration, con-
scented TO appear. She returned to the
deserted saloon, and there waited till the
man was introduced to her presence. She
recognized at once the servant Of the
Count Albert, and dismissed her attend,
ants. How often did she tremble, how
often did she turn pale with horror, dur
ing the short interview! Ernest had
fought with bis general officer against the
positive commands Of the Emperor; the
general had been MORALLY wounded, and
Albert was disgraced, high reward was
set upon his life. He had, however, es-
capped, but his servant knew not whittier.
Many months passed away, months Of
doubt and sorrow to the hapless Blanca.
The young deserter was never heard of;
and the festive mugnifcence which had
flashed for moment in the palace Of the
Countess entirely disappeared. All Wen
ma talked Of her engagement with Ernest,
and many pronounced her engagement to
be dissolved. 1t was said, that the EN-
press had herself forbidden the young
Countess to think Of the disgraced Albert.
Blanca was certainly commanded 10 ap-
pear at Court, and she did not refuse.
Many Of the young couriiers determined
to pay more than usual attention to the
very beautiful and very wealthy heiress.
She appeared, but none presumed to insult
her sorrow with their addresses; her real,
artless grief, invested her with dignity
which no one dared TO infringe upon.
She did not attempt to conceal how severe.
ly the blow had fallen upon her; but her
grief though silent, and seeming 10 claim
no interest, was quietly majestic. Calm
and pale she had stood among the ladies'
Of the court, an object Of respect and ad.
mirationT even to the Empress herself.
A year passed away. The general
whom Albert had wounded was not dead,
but he had met with so many relapses that
his recovery was still pronounced uncer-
tain. Blanca continued a quiet mourner,
but now her alliance was sought by many
|of the noblest houses Of Austria; gently,
but firmly, every proposal was declined.
For the first time, the Empress interested
herself in the suit Of the Prince, one Of
Biancn's enthusiastic admirers. The
Young Countess did not repel the conf
dence which her Sovereign sought; she
disclosed with affecting earnestness the
feelings Of her heart, and the principles
upon which she acled; before she Quilted
the Efnpress, she perceived that her feel