The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-02-21

ted, they ciung to her in their deIirium of
grief Their gentle 81 vereign wept with
them, she enieavored To console them
but although her whole frame trembled,
and her voice faltered with agitation rs
she replied to their entresties, her answer
left them quite hopeless. They obtained,
however, permission to see the prisoner
before his execution, and even this had
been denied to every one.
An unforeseen circumstance saved the
lille Of Albert. The captain of the ban
ditti, who had not been taken with his
eomp"nions, heard that Ernest was con
demned to die. lie had been once man
OF honor himself, and he gave himself up
to justice, and proved clearly that the
Count had not joined his band, and had
always Indignantly refused when asked to
JON 1t. The seulence was therefore chan
ged, aud the noble and gallant Count En-
nest WAS condemned, in the prime Of mali
hood to become u workman Tor life, IN the
quicksilver mines ot ldra.
The first surprise which made known TO
the aged Countess her sons safety, was
joyful but her grief soon returned, and
she thought upon the dreadful termlna.
ton which awaited all her hopes for him.
But Blanca WAS young aud ardent, and
the worst that could happen Was joy to
her. She devoted her whole heart and
every energy Of her mind, to plan wbn h
she instantly resolved TO execute, which
WAS to accompany her betrothed and
share his Imprisonment. Not only the
of Count Albert, but even the Empr.ss
herself endeavored to dissuade the lovely
B'auca from such rash Resolution.
They pictured to her that sue would, by
such AN act, deprive herself of her own
title and tortune-tha, the moment she
married Albert, her estates and titles
would Ue forfeited to the crown. and she
be the simple wife Of an ldra miner; AMI
that she would he obligated to perform
even the duties Of menial servant to her
husband.
"Countess Blanca Of FIorenheim," con-
tinded the Empress, 'can You dare to un-
deriake sdch sacrifice Are you aware
that your mind may now be upheld by
al uncertain enthusiasm have you
thought upon the drear dull calm Of pow
erty and 'iecaying health Do you feel
assured that when the first tuinultuous
feelings have worn themselves out, when
there are none around TO wonder a: your
extraordinary devotion to Albert, when
your name will be almost forgotten, in.
deed by all but few friends whom YOU
will never behold again, do you think
that you will then rejoice at the decision
you have madei When, perhaps, your
husband may be dying IN The morning #
aye, with no attendant but \ weak, help
less wife, who may be hen too i'll to stand
beside him--then, what will your feel.
ings bei
The Empress repeated her question,
for the words which preceded it had al
sorbed Biauca's thoughts.-She pictured
to herself the young and vigorous Ernest
wasting away, dying in her presence
she forgot herself, and aII but her suffer
ings. Slowly she raised her head as The
Empress again addressed her. "Whau
will my feelings bel Alb, can sc freely
iniagine what they will be. Sorrow, Ger.
tsinIy sorrow, but only for him, that must
BE- the peryading feeling at such moment.
Happiness" her whole face frightened
with smiles as she spoke, real joy on nv
own account. TO know that I ann with him
then. to hope, " believe that shall soon
be with him forever" Blanca continued
to speak, and IL was evident that her
mind had anticipated and dweIt on tl,e
miseries that awaited the wife of Al
bern.
Maria Theresa listened to her with pro-
found attention; she asked once ag,.in
'Bo you determine TO follow ERNST Al
BERT 10 the mines Of Idria as bis wife, and
TO resign your rank aud possessions
Blanca sunk on her knee. she raised
her c:ssped hands aud exclaimed, .I am
but Too favored by my God aud my soye-
reign, if may follow him. Irsign nv
rank and property with joy, with graft
trde."
Again, once again, the Empress fixed
upon Blanca ap esrnes. and s.a.ch;no
hook. and appeared to think deeply. 81
aa satis6ed--I am quite sstisfied,r she
aeid q. length. and ,hs s,esnue.s Of he.
look disappeared. esnao, coenfensuee
but ! sAalI no, oppose yoar natrisgs.y