The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-06-28

unread she would spin Tor Inc next Tar IN
Padua. Her grandmother's health impro-
we'd she had more leisure, and devoted
herself TO her labor, cheered by pleasing an
ticipations, for on that day she felt certain
she would see Adalbert, if only at dis
lance.
The Lady Irene perceived with increas-
ing modification. that she was no longer
distinguished by the Emperor, and also, that
her affianced lover was wholly lost TO her.
She determined on making last bold eff.
fort TO accomplish her designs, and the day
before the fair in Padua, contrived TO be
found alone by Henry in the garden, weep.
ing violently. On mis- asking the cause Of
her grief she answered, "How can fail to
be wretched gracious lord q? Your favor Is
Withdrawn from me, and the man appoints
ed TO be my husband, loves another-yes-
loves the Empress % As Henry started at
this, she repeated her assertion, and added,
Tomorrow, at midnight, he has an inter-
view with her, in the gallery leading to her
apartments. The Emperor enraged, swore
TO be listener, and revenge himself on the
wicked pair. Irene besought him to say
nothing of her agency in discovering the
secret, AID then withdrew, exuiting in the
probable success Of her scheme. She next
sent for young Montagna, and addressed
him with cordially, informing him she knew
of his attachment to another maiden, and
releasing him from his VOWS to her. She
professed also wish to serve him, advised
him TO consult the Empress in relation 10
his marriage with the spinner girl, and prom
ised to help him to an interview, '.To-mor-
row, at midnight" concluded the artful Ia.
dy, "you can speak alone with her majesty /;
she usually goes out into the gallery at that
hour, to take the cool night air. But say
nothing Of your intention previously as
should your application be IN vain, you
would wish it kept a secret"
.Adalbert thanked the lady Irene for the
interest she took in his affairs. and promised
to follow her advice in his heart, however,
he dstrusted her, and was little inclined to
abide by her directions.
The fair commenced; cheerful music
was heard from every quarter. and the peas
antry and citizens. with the aristocracy of
the town crowded the market squares, lined
with booths and tents, where the vendors
were 10 be seen. Among the spinncrs with
their piles of thread, were number Of
danes and damsels from Montagna.
Many look was fixed on the pretty Ber-
tina, rs modest and retired, she sat among
the others; and many came up to examine
her work, but pronounced it of too fine a
texture for common use so that it remain>
ed unsold. Her eyes wandered through
the crowd in search of Adalbert-but she
saw him not he was gone that day on the
chase in the suite of the Emperor. Sad
dened by her disappointment, she fixed her
looks despondingly on the ground. but was
presently reused by movement among her
ompanions-while The music sounded in a
liveier strain. The Empress attended by
several ladies of high rank, approached
Moved by sudden impulse, Bertha rose,
stepped forward, and, with low obeisance,
said-"Be not angry, most illustrious lady.
at the boldness of poor maiden. With
good wishes and prayers for your Majesty's
welfare, spun this thread, and humbly beg
your acceptance of it. 1t is so fne-see-
you could draw the skeins through the gold
ring your Majesty wears on your finger"
The Empress, reminded of her dream, look
cd on the girl with surprise. "Ah!" con-
tinued Bertha, "your Majesty thinks me
bold :; indeed. would not have dared TO Of
fer your Majesty so poor gift-but that
the Holy Virgin, in answer to my prayers.
herself put the thought in my mind.
"The Virgin sends you! yes-you are
the dove--that sings me peace !" cried the
Empress. She drew several of the skeins
through her ring without difficulty, and ham
ded them TO one of her attendants; then ia
king gold chain from her neck, she flung
it over Bertha's gave her hand to kiss, and
eparted--promising TO see her again.
Bertha was greatly surprised, but recov>
cred herself, amidst the congratulations of
her companions. Accompanied by them,
she returned to Montagna, and told her
grandmother Of her good fortune. The EN-
press, on her part, much praised the beauty
of the poor girls gift, pronouncing her the
best spinner in The country, and one whose
industry ought TO be rewarded. The ladies
agreed with her in praising the fneness and
evenness of Bertha's work /; and were sur
prised to learn it was done by peasant
damsel.
After dinner. the Empress retired TO her
apartment, and gave orders that, except two
of the ladies' who attended her, none should
be admitted. That something rare was 60
ing on, was, however, evident; the pages
in the ante chamber heard her voice in FIRE.
quent laughter, though what was its cause
none of them could divine.
Asit struck midnight, Henry, full of sps-
picion, and harboring thoughts of venge.
ance, came masked, into the gallery leading
to his consort's chamber. All was dark
and silent. He heard whispering in the
Empress's apartment; quickly. yet softly,
he opened the door, which stood ajar, and
entered the chamber. 1t was also quite
dark. He strobe forward towards the Sleep
ing room of his wife but suddenly found
himself entangled in net, from which all
his struggling could not set him free.
Impatient at this new contrivance to an
,o,, him Henry called oioud and instant