Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-12-26
9 He is master of our secret, multcrcd til
duke. 'IIc or T.
CHAPTER il.

CHAPTER II.
In an apartment Of the palace fitted up
with every luxury her native Italy could sup
ply, sat Bona, the young and beautiful queen
of Poland. She is known to have transplant
ted into that northern cline, not only the
arts and civilization of her own genial soil
but also the intrigue and volupluousncss
and the still darker crimes for which it was
celebrated. Daughter ofhc crafty Sforza
Duke Of Milan, educated in city and at a
court where pleasure reigncd predomingnt
married out of policy 10 IA monarch many
years older than her own father, it was al
most 10 be expected that she should seek, in
the society of some gay cavalier, compen-
sation 70. this Punishment 10 a northern coun-
try. and a scxagenarian spouse. Nor had
she hesiated long in her choice. Albert
Glinski, Duke of Lithuania, who, though he
was the father of a son ripening into man
hood, was still in the vigor Of life, and sur
passed all his younger rivals in grace of man
ner and charm Of conversation, had 500.
fixed her regard, and won whatever Of aflec-
ton or love the luxurious princess had TO be-
stow.
She now sat waiting his arrival. Pnncu-
ally at the hour of eight he entered. If any
observer could have watched the duke as he
traversed the corridor which led to the
queens apartment, he would have had great
difficulty IN believing that it was favored
lover that was passing before him SO seri
Gus brow did he wear, and SO deep an air
of abstraction was there on his countenance.
: No sooner, however, did he enter that apart
tl.,,, h., L.
nance lit up his manner grew free and UNI
restrained, aud he assumed that mingled tone
OF gaic'y and palhos 50 effective with the
fair sex. Never had the queen felt more
thoroughly approved of the choice she had
made.
When this favorable disposition was at its
height, the duke, adopted gradually ii more
serious tone of conversation, said
Has ii never occurred to you, charming
Bona, that the most exalted of your sex share
with the humblest this one prvilege-love
alone must lie the motive which brings sui
ter to their feet. That passion must be
genuine, must be fever high, which makes a
sub ject quite forget his queen in the lovely
woman before him, and tempt Inn TO dare
the vengeance ola Monarch, as well as OF ii
husband
True there is danecr-peIhaps to both OF
u.s. she rcpl S, but it daunts US not
No; but it is at hand
what mean you, Glinski!
I'VE are betrayed
How by whom!'
How, or by whom, 1t matters little but
that subtle demon, Count Laski' knows that
which in his hands is a warrant for our de-
srucion.'
What is to be done7 We will hribe
him. II my jewels, all my boards shall 60
to purchase his silence
Bride Laski bribe the north wind
bride destiny itself, whose nature i, is to dis
tribute good aud i'll, bat to feel neither No,
hut | would have dagger in his throat before
the night were passed, but that his short light
sumbcrS are guarded by a slave of singular
power, whom the villains fear to attack.
had meant to beg or buy of him this same
fierce automalon, bat something broke oll'lhe
treaty.
We will poison the mind Of the king
against him he shall be dismissed from all
his Offices.
That poison is too slow. Besides, If he
once communicate his suspicious TO the king
winch at this very moment he may be do
ing-see you not, that it is no longer the
+ minister, bat the Jealous monarch that VT
have 10 guard against. Hear me, Bona, ono
OF two iales must now be mine. Death, OF
thy hand, and with it the crown of Poland
Do not start. There is for ne no middle
station. You may be safe. A few tears, a
few smiles, and the old king will lapse into
his doage'
You speak in riddles, Glinski; COM
prchend nothing of all this
Yet il is clear enough. Thus it stands
tine Duke of Lthuania loved the wife of Sig.
iSmund, king of Poland. Love | call tc
witness all the saints in heaven love alone
prompted his snit. But now that fortune
has first favored and then betrayed him
where think YOU does his safety lie Where
but in the bold enterprises OF ambition! Iii,
only place OF refuge is a throne. lie who
mas won queen must protect her with a
sc2pire. You must be mine-my very queer
: you must extend your hand and RAISE me
; to the royalty of Poland, or see my blood
flow ANONYMOUSLY upon the scaNod.'
Il extend my hand = exclaimed the aei
'd'eu queen, now can feeble woman GIVE
X. or take away the crown of Poland
B. lin who wears the crown-she can tax,
2 away
Murder the kine!' shrieked Bona.
'Or sentence me- replied the duke.
1t was no affected horror that the queer
here displayed. Though at a subsequen
! period OF her life, thistory speaks true, hel
Imagination had grown familiar with deed,
J, OF this very nature, and she had become
A skillu IN the art OF poisoning, she was al thi,
, time young, and Impractical in crime, ant
r received its first suggestions with the horro,
f winch il naturally inspires. She had soueh
for pleasure only in the society of Ginski
, it was cruel disappointment, il was a fright
, full surprise, TO find herself thrust suddenly
with uUsandaled feet, on the thorny path o
! ambition. She sank back on the couch wher,
they had both been sitting, and, hiding he
face in both her hands, remained in that po
stion while the duke continued to unfold hi
schemes at greater length.
, lie represented to her that the possession
of the duchy of Lithuana the inhabitants o
, which were distinguished by their drawer,
1 and their turbulence, would enable him
should the king opportunelv die-to scz,
4; upon the vacant throne Of Poland that h,