Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1852-12-25

case, superstitious aud in the persuasion that the
dead countess had the power Of exercising ma
Ign influence over his life he had thought to APP
pcase her names by attending her funeral
The church was full of people, and he had some
difficulty in getting place. The body was stretch
ed upon rich bier under canopy of velvet: the
hands were crossed upon the bosom, and the dress
was of white satin. with head-dr>s3 of lace
Around the bier the family were assembled the
servants in black caftans, with ribbons on their
shoulders bearing armorial devices, and holding a
long taper the reations-children, grandchil-
dren, and great grandchdren-all in deep mourn
Ing. IIo one wept--tcars would have been look
ed upon as an aIiectation. The countess was sol
old, that her death could surprise no one, and she
had long been considered as no longer belonging
to this world. A celebrated preacher pronounced
the funeral Grafton. In a few simple and touch
ing words he described the death of the just, who
had passed long life in edifying preparations for
Christian end. The angel of DEATH he said,
carried her off in the midst Of her cheerful and pi.
Gus medtations and in the expectation of tile bride
groom Of naia1igAt.' When the service was over,
all the relations moved forward to take their last
farewell of the deceased. After them in long pro-
cesson, came all those invited to the CEREMONY
The servants of her household succeeded and
among them was an old housekeeper of the same
age as the countess, who advanced, supported by
two women, She not strong enough to kneel
but tears tell from her eyes when she bent TO kiss
the hand of her mistress.
Hermann proceeded in his turn towards the
bier. He knelt for a moment on the marble flag
covered with branches Of cypress. He then rose,
and pale as death, assembled the steps of the bier,
and bowed his head, when suddenly it seemed to
him as if the dead countess looked at him with q
derisive expression, and walked her eye. Her
mann rose with hasty movement, and fell back
wards on the pavement, from whence he was quick
ly raised by the bystanders At the same mo-
ment Lisabeta lvanovna tainted where she stood
in the body ofthe church. These accidents dis
turbed the ceremony for few Moments the as
sstants whispered among each other and one old
chamberlain, a near relatJ N of the deceased muir
INJURED in the ear of Englishman who stood
near him. that the young officer was lcft-handed
son of the countess to which the Englishman la
conically replied, 'Ah.'
During the whole of the day Hermann was a
prey to the greatest uneasiness. At the reStaa-
rat, where he was in the habit of dining alone,
contrary to his custom he drank a great deal, in
the hope of getting rid of thought; but the wine,
on the contrary, excited his imagination, and add
ed new activity to the ideas with which he was
preoccupied. He went home early, threw himself,
dressed as he was on his bed and fell at once into
a profound sleep,
When he awoke it was night, or rather morning,
and the moon shone into his room. He looked al
three. He no longer felt any inclination to sleep
so he sat on his bed, and thought of the old coun-
tess.
AT that moment somebody in the street came uI
to the window, looked into the room, and passed
on. Hermann paid no attention to this but at the
expiration of about a minute he heard the door Of
the antechamber OPEN He fancied that his mill
tary servant-drunk, according to custom-had lei
himself in after returning from some nocturnal ex
cursion but he soon detected an unknown step
Some one entered shutting in slippers over The
floor The door opened, and a woman dressed il
white came into his chamber. Hermann though
at first that it was his old nurse and asked he
what brought her there at such an hour? Blu
the figure, rapidly crossing the chamber, was in
moment at the foot of his bed, and Hermann re
cognised the countess
L come to you against my WILL she exclaimed
in deep voice. 4 am compelled to grant you
prayer. These cardS--Three, Seven and Ace
will win for you after the other but you ar
forbidden to play more than one card in four ant
twenty hours, and never to play again in the
of your life. l pardon you my death conditio
that you marry my demoisele dc compagnie, Lis
abeta Ivanovna.'
With these words she moved towards the door
and disappeared shutting in her slippers, as sh
had entered. Hermann heard her close the doc
of the antechamber, and directly afterwards saw
gazed for moment through the window
He remained for some time completely Supplied
he then rose, and went into the antechamber-
His servant, as he had at first imagined wa
drunk, and asleep on the floor. He had some dill
fcuty in awaking him; and when he succeede
could not get from him the slightest explanations
The door of the antechamber was locked Hel
mann Immediately returned to his chamber an
wrote down all the circumstances Of his vision.
VI,
From that time forward one idea alone took DOS
session Of his thoughts. The three cards wer
constantly present to his imagination. He wa
always repeating to himself 'Three-Seven-
Ace In every phase of his daily avocatior
these three numbers were mingled. He enter
tanned no doubt that by their instrumentality h
should make his fortune, but how was he to tur
to account secret which he had bought so dearly
He thought Of asking for leave of absence to ira,
ell, in the expectation that in Paris perhaps
might discover some gaming table where he coul
realize his expectations Accident relieved hi
from his embarrassment.
There was at that time at Moscow company
rich gamblers, the president of which was celt
brated man named Tchekalinsk, who had passe
all his life in play, and amassed an enormous fo
tune. His magnificent house, his excellent cui
enc, and his agreeable manners, had gained hi
numerous friends and attracted general consider;
ton towards him. He came to St. Petersbur.
and Immediately all the nobility, old and young
hocked to his saloons. Hermann was taken thel
by Naroumof
On entering Tchekalinsks hotel, they passe
through a number of rooms filed with servants a
extremely attentive and polite. The guests wei