Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1839-06-06
TIT IDRIAN MINER.
AN AUSTRIAN TALE.

The palace ofthe Countess of Florenheim
was thronged with lordly company. Every
splendid saloon had been thrown open: but
among the beautlous forms assembled there,
the young countess herself was the most
admired. Il might be that every eye look
ed in almost determined admiration upon
one so gentle, and SO distinguished by birth
and fortune. But the young and innocent
Blanca was very lovely. The usual express
sion of her large hazel eyes was eloquent
tenderness, her features were beautiful, and
every movement 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 prncey wealth. and for the first time,
she appeared as the mistress Of her own
palace; her manner was perfectly dignified
and easy, but during the whole evening, the
rich bloom Of her cheek was heightened by
a continual blush.
The Empress remained some hours at
the Floreinhem palace, delighted with the
appearance and conduct of the young and
noble orphan. The parents of the Coun-
tess bad deserved and enjoyed the favor of
thsir Soyereigns, and Maria Theresa loved
40 distinguish their child
Every guest had departed; and the young
Countess stood alone in her spacious and
magnificent saloons. She pressed her hand
for moment over her eyes, for they ached
with the glare of the tapers still blazing a.
round her. She looked at the beautiful
flowers which hung in fading garlands
round the room, and sighed. With true
girlish fancy, she took down long droop-
ing branch of roses from the tall candela-
bra beside her; the blossoms were all faded;
she sighed again: her heart had not been
in the gaity and splendor of the evening.
and now she had leisure to attend to the ST.
lent thoughts of her bosom. She thought
of her botrothed husband, and she could
not help approaching 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 of a person, who earnestly
requested to see her that very night, was
announced: she hestated at first, but after
a few moments consideration, she consented
TO appear. She returned to the deserted
saloon, and there waited till the man was
introduced TO her presence. She recognis-
ed at once the servant ofthe Count Albert,
and dismissed her attendants. How often
did she turn pale with horror, during the
short interview! Ernest had fought with
his general officer against the positives COM
mands Of the Emperor; the general had
been mortaly wounded and Albert was dis
graced, high reward was set upon his life,
He had however escaped, but his servant
knew not whittier. .~4
Many months passed away, months of
doubt and sorrow TO the helpless Blanca.
The young deserter was never heard of;
and the festive magnificence which had
flashed for moment in the palace of the
Countess entirely disappeared. All Vienna
talked of her engagement with Ernest, and
many pronounced the engagement to be-
dissolved. 1t was said, that the Empress
had hei self forbidden the young Countess
TO think of the disgraced Albert.-Bianca
was certainly commanded to appear at court,
and she did not refuse. Many of the young
courters 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. artess g,ief in,
vested her with dignity which no one dared
to infringe upon. She did not attempt to
conceal how severely the blow had fallen
upon her; but her grief, though silent, and
seeming to claim no interest, was quietly
majestic. Calm and pale, she stood among
the ladies of the court, an object of respect
and admiration even to the Empress herself
A year passed away Tie general whom
Albert had wounded was not dead. but he
had met with so many relapses that his re-
covery was still pronounced uncertain
Blanca continued quiet mourner, but now
her alliance was sought by many of the no.
blest 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 Bianca's enthu1
siastic admirers. The young countess did
not repel the confidence which her Sover-
egn sought she disclosed with affecting
earnestness the feelings of her heart, and
the principles on which she acted; before
she quilted the Empress, she perceived
that her feelings were understood, she
guessed that her principles were approved
The mother of the Count Albert was
still living and still presided over the
household of her son. The countess BIZ
anca was now constant visiter at the Al
BERT palace and few days after the
aforementioned interview with the En-