Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1839-07-27
ings were understood, she guessed her
principles were approved.

hold Of her son. The Countess Blanca
was now constant visitor at the Alberta
palace; and a few days after the above
named interview with the Empress, she
aged Countess and Blanca were convers.
ing almost cheerfully together; they were
elaled with hope, for the petitions which
had been presented in behalf Of Ernest
seemed to be successful. The Empress
had herself written to the Countess Albertl,
the letter was IN Bianca's hand. Sud-
denly person entered the saloon; it was
the old and faithful servant Of Albert; he
told them news that almost overwhelmed
them. The young Count had returned,
he had been brought to Vienna with a
gang Of desperate banditti, he was said 10
be the captain Of men who were outlaws,
robbers, and murderers-" Alas! alas!"
exclaimed the old Countess, and she gazed
with look Of heart.broken sorrow on a
magnificent portrait on her late husband;
" is this TO be the end Of the house Of AL
berti-Your only SONNY beloved Conrod,
the child Of our hopes, will he prove a
shame to his fathers name? 1t is we'll
you are not here, it is enough that sur
vive TO witness our disgrace" Ernest
will never disgrace YOU" cried Blanca,
eagerly. We know him much better,n
she added, clasping the trembling hands
of the Countess, with tender affection;
"there is much to be explained in this
story. Dear rash Ernest" she faltered,
leaning on her mothers shoulder, and
burst into tears. " We know him better,
he may be wild and faulty, but he win
never disgrace any one." "He never will,
you are right replied the Countess, ~
spoke hastily. ought to hope, ] ought
to believe, better things Of my beloved son.
Daughter Of my love, l was very wrong
to doubt him for moment; you Judge him
rightly. Bless you, bless you, my sweet
Blanca"
Albert had been indeed brought 10 Vi
emma among the banditti Of Idria; every
proof was strong against him. He was
condemned to be broken on the wheel, and
there seemed no hope that the sentence
would be mitigated. Ernest himself told
an improbable story about his not being
connected with the banditti; hut nobody
listened TO it, and he mentioned il no more.
Blanca and his mother did believe him.
The account was perfectly true.
The Countess Albert, with her young
and lovely friend, used every exertion 10
prevent his execution, but the verdict up
peared irrevocable. The day, the dread
full day of death was fixed, and they I'M
plored an audience Of the Empress; the
aged mother, the betrothed wife lay at her
feet in speeches. agony; they chung 10
her in the deirum Of their grief. Their
gentle sovereign wept with them, she en-
deavored TO console them; but although
her whole frame trcmbled, and her voice
faltered with agitation as she replied to
their entreaties, her answer left them quite
hopeless. They obtained, however per-
mission to see the prisoner before his exc
cution, and even this had hitherto been
denied to every one.
An unforeseen circumstance saved the
lite Of Albert. The captain Of the BAN
ditti, who had not been taken with his
companions, heard that Ernest was con-
demned to die. He had been once man
Of honor himself and he gave himself up to
Justice, and proved clearly that the Count
had not Joined his band, and had always
indignantly refused when asked to join il.
The sentence was therefore changed, and
the noble and gallant Count Ernest was
condemned in fhe prime Of youthful man.
hoed to become workman for life, in the
quicksilver mines of Idria.
The first surprise, which made known to
the aged Countess her sons safety, was
joyful; but her grief soon returned al she
thought upon the dreadful termination
which awaited all her hopes for him. But
Blanca was young and ardent, and the
worst that would happen was Joy to her.
She devoted her whole heart, and every
energy Of her mind, TO plan which she
instantly resolved to execute, which was 10
accompany her betrothed and share his in
prisonment. Not only the mother Of
Count Albert, but even the Empress her
self endeavored TO dissuade the lovely BIZ
anca from such rash resolution. They
pictured to her that she would by such an
act deprive herself Of her own title and
fortune-that the moment she married
Albert, her estates and title would be for
feited to the crown, and she be the simple
wife Of an ldrian miner: and that she
would be obliged to perform even The dus
lies Of a mental servant 10 her husbsnd.
"Countess Blanca Of Flprsnheim, " con-
tinued to Empress, "can you dare to un-
dertake such q sacritce? Arc ycn aware
that your mind may now be'upheld by an
uncertain enthusiasm lave you thought
upon the drear dull calm Of poverty, and
decaying healths Do you feel assured,
,h.x ,pbon tho 6ref yu,nulfuous foolsora