Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1860-11-01
An Original Storg~
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer
ST. PIERRE, THE MOUNTEBANK
OR,
THE PREDICTION.
A Romance of the Empire, under Catharine, II.
BY R. B. RUSSELL
CHAPTE R XIII I.
THE PREDICTION

If thou delight to view thy heinous deeds
Behold this pattern filthy butcheries."
We must now take the reader to the
chamber of the dying empress. Yes, the
imperial Catharine, once so despotic and sc
naughty, was slowly succumblug before the
Great Couquerer, whose approach is dread
ed alike by the king aud his subject, and
from whose sentence there is no appeal.
The splendid couch on which she lay
stood in the middle of a dark walled
gloomy looking room and around it, but
at little distance, were many of the no
bles and ladies of the court, whose features
were twisted into an expression of seeming
sorrow, giving them one and all, at that
moment, great resemblance to each 9th
er.
At the head of the bed stood small
table, which was covered with walls; aud
beside it was the empress physicians, five
in number, among them Valerian Remoul,
Count de Moner's friend.
The silence, which was almost appreheu,
sive, was broken at length by the entrance
of the count, who carried his portfolio
under his arm as minister of police. At a
sign from him Remoul, after consulting for
the sake of appearance with the other, who
replied in the affirmative to every proposition
he advanced, drew vial from his pocket,
and dropping the greater part of its contents
into wine glass, filed it half full of wa
ter; and going to the bedside, fell on his
knees and whispered few words. The
empress, on hearing the voice other favor
ite physician, took the glass and drank its
contents In few minutes she raised her
head, and glancing around the room, asked
feebly,
Where is Paul?'
I'm his chamber, most gracious empress,
replied Remoul.
sAnd why is he not here at his moth
er's death bed !? she inquired hastily. IL
he so sure the crown is his that he viii
not remain to close her eyes? Answe
me! sherepeated Must we speak twice ?
Madame and gracious empress, said
nobleman, one of PauFs most intimat'
friends, eager to avert the storm which hi
saw was rising, 'may it please you, ne wa
here few minutes ago, but
'But-butH y repeated Catharine quer
ulously; 'any word but that to me Stel
back, my Lord Parim, we have no furthe
need fyou. Remoul, the pain is over
We shall live YETI
The physician made no reply.
do you hear me, Remoul !" said the EN-
press I'VE shall live YETI
i trust so,' faltered the physician.
Catharine glanced keenly into his face
and saw therein that all hope was extiu
guished.
well, it matters not, she said. 'Seut
for Paul, and draw back the curtains
There
Count Parim, forgetting the reproof b
had received, stepped forward and obeye'
the order, fortunately without the empires
observing him. At that moment the doc
opened, and Paul entered. Catharine re
cognized his step and raised her head
The grand. duke bent the knee and kisse'
her hand.
Have you seen Henri? inquired tn
count, ofRemoul, in whisper.
NO
sHe should have been here ere this. Ste
to the door and see'
The physician did SO and returned witt
Henri.
The packet-the certi6cate?' inquire
the count nervously. Quick.
They are tere, my lord replied the lad
drawing several papers from his bosom.
had
sHushr exclaimed the count, his han
trembling as he grasped the precious doc
uments, while his eyes flashed fire. 'Sue
cess he whispered to the physician. IN
chance for failure, now. Paul is crushed
and Alexander will be emperor Ha! ha
Now for fitting moment to present 1t
The door again opened, and the ministe
of state, accompanied by several secretarie
bearing portfolios, entered. Approachin
the bed the former kneeled and kissed tn
empress hand.
eAre the papers made out as we directed
she asked at length.
They are, your majesty, replied tn
minister.
sAnd the will?'
is here,' was the reply. 1t needs OF
ly your signature
"A pen,' said Catharine. paul. an
she turned her head toward the grane
duke, sas our eldest son, the crown is your