Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1852-12-25
NUMBER As.
The countess did not answer and Hermann
now saw that she was dead

stlll IN her pail dress, plunged In deep thought
On her return home, she had hastily dismissed
her maid, saying that she wanted no one to un-
dress her, and had assembled to her apartment,
fearing to find Hermann there, and hoping even
not to find him. At glance she was aware of
the fact and felt grateful for the chance which had
prevented the meeting. Without thinking Of
changing her costume, she seated herself pensively
at her table, and began to pass in review all the
circumstances of "a iaison recently begun, and
which had yet led her SO far. Three weeks had
scarcely passed since first she saw the young Off
Ger, and already had she written to him, and he
had succeeded IN obtaining her consent to noe
turnal rendezvous. All she knew of him was his
name. She had received a number of letters from
him, but had never once spoken to him she did
not even know the sound OF his voice. Up to that
evening, strangely enough, she had never heard
him spoken of. AT the ball, however, which she
left Prince Paul Tomski, fancying that the beau
hful Princess Pauline Tscherbatoff-to whom he
was paying his addresses-was coquetting with an
other young noble, resolved TO be revenged upon
her by affecting Indifference and with this nota-
BILE object in view he had invited Lisabeta to Join
him in an interminable mazurka. He made a
thousand forced jokes on her Partially for officers
of engneers and pretending to know more than
he really did it happened that some Of his speeches
were apt, that Lisabeta fancied her secret was
discovered.
But whom she asked smiling, do you get
that from .
From friend of the officer whom you know
from very original person.
And what is the name of this original 2?
He is called Hermann
She did not reply, but she felt her hands and
feet become cold as ice.
Hermann is perfect hero of romance contin3
ued Tomski. He has the profile of Napoleon and
the soul of Mephistophiles. think he must have
at least three crimes upon his conscience. But
how pale you are =
what has NJ. Hermann told you? Is not that
his name p
Hermann is very angry with his friend, the
officer of engineers whom you know. He says
that in his place he should act differently. / sus-
pect he has designs upon you himself, at least he
appeared to listen to the condolences Of his friend
with strange sort ofinterest.'
Where has he seen me
AT church perhaps, or when you were out driv-
ing. God knows Perhaps in your chamber
while you were asleep. He is capable of anything!'
At this moment three ladies advancing, according
to the custom of the mazurka, to invite him to
choose between .forgetfulnesS and regret,* inter-
rupted conversation which was beginning greatly
to excite the curiosity of Lisabeta.
The lady who had been chosen by Tomsk was
the Princess Pauline During the slow evolutions
of the figure an explanation took place between
them and when he returned to his partner, Tom.
ski had forgotten all about Hermann and Lsabeta.
She tried vainly to renew the conversation, but
the mazurka ended, and then the old countess rose
to 90 away.
The mysterious phrases of Tomski were nothing
more than ordinary badinage, but they had made
a deep impression on the heart of the poor demoi-
selle de compagnie The portrait sketched by
Prince Paul had appeared to suit her stlikingly,
H. H.
the counenance of her adorer all that was at once
full of charm and dread. While musing on what
she had heard the door suddenly opened, and
Hermann entered. She started to her feet, and
in trembling voice exclaimed, Where have you
been p
In the countess's bedroom replied Hermann
hoarsely: i have just left it, she is dead ?
Gracious God what do you say 2
And fear, he added that l am the cause Of
her death p
Lisabeta Ivanovna gazed at him all aghast, and
the words of Prince Paul came back to her mem
ory-'he has at least three crimes upon his con-
science =
Hermann seated himself near the window and
told her ALL
She listened with terror and shame. Thus,
then, these passionate letters these burning words,
this bold, obstinate, pursuit, had, after all, not
been inspired by love 1t was money only that
infan1ed his soul How could she, who had only
heart to offer, make him happy Poor child
she had been the blind instrument of a robber-of
the murderer of her benefactress. In the agony
of her repentance she wept bitterly. Hermann
gazed upon her in silence; but neither the tears of
the unfortunate girl, nor her beauty, rendered
more touching by her grief, could shake his iron
soul. He had no remOrse in thinking of the death
of the countess. One sole reflection tormented
him-the irreparable loss of the secret from which
he had expected his fortune.
After long silence, Lisabeta exclaimed, You
are an assassin monster j
Il did not mean to kill her, he answered coldly;
| my pistol was not loaded
They remained for some time without speaking,
or overlooking at each other. Daylight at length
broke, and Lisabeta extinguished the candle which
fiickered in the socket and pale gray light stole
into the chamber She wiped her eyes, which
we're drowned in tears, and turned them towards
Hermann. He was still sitting beside the window,
with his arms folded, and his brow knit In this
attitude he forcby recalled the portrait of Napo-
leon and the resemblance, as she remembered
what Tomski had said, made her shudder.
At last she spoke. How said she, shall
get you away? l thought of your going By the
secret staircase but TODD you must pass through
the countess's bedroom, and / am afraid
Tell me only how l shall find the staircase, and
/ viii go alone
She rose, searched IN drawer for key which
she gave to Hermann, with the necessary instruc-
tons he took her icy hand, kissed her on the fore
head and left the apartment. He descended the
narrow staircase, and entered the chamber of the
countess. She seated in her fauteuil, perfect-
" rigid her features were not in the SLIGHTEST de-