The Soldiers' journal. (Rendezvous of Distribution, Va.) 1864-1865, 1864-08-03
Romanoff to a frenzy of exultation 1t was TO
the effect that Leola would give herself up With


tho effect that I.eola would give herself up with
out further Resistance, provided her few retaners
might be suffered to depart Beyond the Russian
borders. unharmed and without molestaton
To this condition the emperor lmmedlately sig
nifed his assent, and it was upon his part moSt
faithfully performed. The same night the re-
mains of the little band of defenders, grim ana
war-worn, issued forth from the castle and TOOK
their way into the lower ranges of the mountains
y
Romanoff paced nervously up and down the
hall of the castle, the windows OF which looked
across the co lrt Darkness had come on, but he
had as vet. received no ntimation from Leola.
More than once his iinpatience had urged him to
give the signal of assault; but restraining nm
self he continued his uneasy walk.
"My lady waits,' a voice uttered at his elbow.
The speaker was the page of the daughter OF
Petro.
"Waits, boy-where? the eager emperor
exclaimed.
s'In the banquet-hall. She has sent me to con-
duct you to her,"
Amoment had hardly elapsed before RomanoH
was ushered into the presence of Leoa. He
paused astounded at the magnihcence OF the
scene which he beheld. The banquet-room was
| brilliantly illuminated, and the light was re-
Elected in a thousand rays by the silver vessels
which held the most costly viands and WINES
Rut the centre of ALL seated upon throne-llke
chair at the head of the board, dressed IN the
gorgeous lawn and purchase OF queen, ana
beautiful. far beyond the monarch's widest WIS.,
ions of the beautiful in woman, was he oia.
Romanoff did not observe the wldness OF hef
eve. the palor of her cheek, nor yet the strange
compression of her lips; bewildered ny hef
| charms. he bent knee which had never before
| been bent to a human being, and kissed a HAND
whittier than the ermine that surrounded it,
"Mine then Leola--mne, at last fair lady,
t were his words, as he pressed her hand in his
u own els it not so?''
q A shudder pervaded the frame of the malde1
AS she felt his touch and her answer was low IL
d it's accents.
d ssYes-thine, my lord,' were her simple WORDS
); ssThe favor of Heaven be with thee ever, 10
r those words ~ the delirous monarch exclaimed
= in an ecstacy of rapture. 'Tnou shalt be m.
$ bride, my queen, Leola; thou shalt reign, no
n alone over my heart, but sovereign empress
d we'll of all the Russias! A kiss, my queen, o
l. my knees I crave it!
F. "Nav. my lord-not now let us feast to-nigh
v and love tomorrow! Here is wine, drink
( me if you would not hare me to think you
o words mere breathngs of fiattery!
Of Romanoff eagerly seized the goblet whic
If Ieola extended to him. and drained it to the la
at drop strange smile fickered for an instal
in upon the face of the maiden as she observed IL
Id Eact; and lifting another goblet to her lips, 81
drank half it's contents. spirit OF madne
n seemed suddenly to have possessed the mo
ID arch /: again and again he received the Hagt
or from the hands of Leola, grasping 1t each TIN
ar il was offered with feverish haste, and tossli
to off the red sparkling wine in the interval
es renewed vows and proteStatiOnS of love. In