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


ged the advances of the village beaux Yet
. the fathers, as well as the young men, were
fam to confess that poor Bertha would make
happy any man she chose to accept, and
deserved a wealthy husband.
1t was at church that Bertha first saw
young Adalbert she soon learned to love
him, as he did her, yet knowing that his IA
ther would never consent to his union with
an obscure, uncovered country maiden, she
lived without hope, and wished only to ded-
icate her life to her humble duties When
she saw the youth ride past with Irene, she
would color deeply, and the tears would
rush into her eyes; but she suppressed her
grief, and always went, the same evening,
to ask forgiveness and peace before the
Virgins shrine. Every week, when it was
market day in Padua she went, carrying
her little basket filled with yarn, with the
proceeds of which she purchased necessa-
ries for her grandmother
Meanwhile, the Lady Irene shone as the
first star at court; and from day to day the
Emperor's administration increased. The
Empress was sad at heart The rumor had
come to her ears that her lord was about to
divorce her, and believing misfortune at
hand, she schooled herself to bear it with
resignation. She determined, at length, to
ask the Emperor's permission to immune
herself in cloister, and devote the remain
der of her life to religious duties. Believ-
ing it certain that she would obtain his
consent, she caused every thing to be pre-
pared for her Journey
The night before she intended to prefer
her request, she retired weary from exhaus-
ton and depression, and having fallen into
an uneasy slumber, dreamed she found
herself standing on high rock, which over
looked valley luxuriously beautiful. Then
she saw white dove flying through the
clear air, carrying fine thread in its beak,
one end of which fell on the gold ring she
had received from the Emperor the day of
her espousal She drew the thread lis
tlessly through the ring, and, as by invisi-
bic hands, it was instantly woven into fine
net, in which the Emperor was enclosed,
and kneeling at her feet, looked up at her
with eyes full ofaffection.
She awoke full of wonder. and commu>
nicated The dream to her confessor. mo.
bic lady," said her ghostly counsellor, tive
must not place TOO much confidence in
Dreams yet we must not slight them alto.
gether. Our guardian spirits oft speak TO
us in visions of the night; moreover, pa
thence and faithfulness oftentlmes accom-
plish what rash zeal could never effect
| Remain, illustrious lady, some time yet at
court, before you speak of your intention 10
withdraw to cloister. Bear with patience
what may disquiet you, and hope the best,
while YOU invoke the aid of Heaven with
earnest prayef."
The Empress followed the advice of her
confesSor. She did not speak of leaving
her husband, but bore all his neglect with
patience and silence. While she waited
for better days, all the leisure time of the
Emperor was devoted to her rival. The
artful Irene, who aimed at nothing less than
the crown, on her part. sought TO make the
Emperor suspicious of the faith of his ad-
mirable consort; and by way ofrevenging
herself upon Adalbert for his GOODNESS, as
well as gratifying her ambition, accused
him of having dared to lift bis eyes to the
Empress. The youth had been some weeks
at court, and this circumstance gave COL
oring of truth to her representations.
| Henry, who willingly seized upon the &C.
casion for anger against his unoffending
consort. was easily pursuaded to believe
what was told him: and indeed, could not
help observing that she apparently showed
more respect to Adalbert than any of the
young noblemen about the court. The
truth was, Adalbert was melancholy by rea.
son of his hopeless love for the poor spin.
ner: his silent and detected mien natural.
ly drew the attention of the Empress. who
had also her secret grief. Thus the unhap.
piness of the two made them friends.
AS it often happens in similar cases. it
/ fell out that the Emperor, who. in his sell
fish caprice, had disregarded his wife, and
even ridiculed her love for him, began to
feel some interest in her as soon as he sus-
pected that she preferred young Montagna
TO himself. The possession he had despi-
sed. while he imagined it secure, he learn
ed 10 value when he seemed likely to lose
it. He even perceived his consort posses
sed attractions likely to win the affection of
all who should be admitted to her friendship.
His jealousy made him keener-sighted in
this respect; and as it became evident 10
the noble lady, that she was an object of
more attention than formerly to her lord,
her increased cheerfulness rendered her
still more pleasing in bis eyes.
Irene's beauty still held the Emperor in
bondage; but he began to see how great
was her ambition; and once or twice he
consulted with his confessor in regard to his
future actions. The confessor assured him
that the divorcing of his amiable wife would
be a heinous offence in the eye of Heaven.
From day to day the mild charms of the
Empress shone in clearer light; still Hen
ry could not divest himself of jealousy,
whenever he saw young Adalbert welcom-
ed with friendly smile.
While Irene. alarmed at the unexpected
turn Henry's fancy had taken, was employ.
ing all her arts to injure her mistress, Ber-
tina remained in seclusion and sorrow. Her