Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1878-01-17

A.
indisposition OF the Countess. In
spite of Dolgorof's ingenuity in
governing his words and actions, and
assuming every variety of address,
LodOiska knew him well. She was
we'll acquainted with his career in
diplomacy and did not, therefore,
allow herself to be deceived by his
apparently unassuming demeanor.
She still adhered to her first resolu-
tion-flight. Although fully deter
mined to do her duty in this matter,
yet in the very hour OF performance
she could not but feel the number
less ties which the customs Of life
entwined around US, and whose pow
ey to bind US we are not sensible OF,
until on the point Of breaking
through them forever.
She accompanied her mother to
the dining-room. Here she again
saw Frederick and Henry after a
separation so painful to her feelings.
She had always been remarkable for
liberality and benevolence, and her
established character, therefore, pro-
tected her from remark on account
of her behavior to her guests. Thus
she continued to pass the hours Of
dinner without mourning any new
suspicion Of her connexion with the
visitors. Henry and Frederick 80
managed tho thread Of conversation
as to lead IL to the subject Of travels.
This proved great relief to Lodo-
iska. Even Dolgorof was shaken,
and entertained the hope that all his
apprehensions had no frmer basis
than accident or misconstruction.
At length they rose from the table,
and the ladies prepared to retire.
Lodoiska seized q moment when she
believed herself unnoticed, and
whispered to Henry the words:
BE confident-I hope for . fortu-
nate change"
But Dolgorof, who at that moment
was reading letters brought by his
valet, CHANGED accidentally to be
looking over the paper near mirror,
In which he saw the entire persons OF
Lodoiska and Henry. He noticed
their familiar approach, remarked
their whispering and emotion. It Is
true he had not heard syllable, but
In the conduct Of both he perceived
the confirmation Of q suspected con-
fidence, which could be justified only
by the nearest relationship; and he
was the more impressed when both
the door being Unexpectedly
opened-suddenly changed the ex-
preston OF their countenances, and
assumed again the formal bearing OF
ordinary courtesy.
In fact what had really occurred
never could have taken place be-
tween the Princess OchalskoI and a
stranger without q name OF rank.
Dolgorof therefore was suddenly put
in possession of irrefutable proof OF
what had heretofore amounted only
to suspicion. He was so much
thrown of his guard as to be be-
trayed into the exhibition Of a ges-
ture and half suppressed exclama-
ton of anger. But as rapidly as he
had lost his balance he regain ned il
again, repeating for appearance sake
the exclamation, and vehemently
stamping on the floor, and referring
his excitement to the inform alton hs
had received in the letters he wat
reading. He excused himself, AMI
left the room. the ladies also took
their departure,
Scarcely had Dolgorof entered his
room, when he rang the bell for his
man, of VIII ON he inquired whether
the Princess occupied hsf room; re.
ceiving negative answer, he babe
him to retire.
So soon as the servant had de-
parted. Dolgorof lighted a small dark
lantern, concealed il under his cloak,
and FASTENED to Lodoiska's room
He succeeded in entering unnoticed
Instantly boiling the door, he COM
menoed an examination. He had
taken with him some master-keys
against which scarce any lock stood
proof. These keys were q part: o.
his implements as a diplomatist
wherewith he was enabled in security
to possess himself of the contents oil
letters not intended. but OF impor
tance to his interests or designs
With the help of these instruments
he succeeded very soon in opening
Lodoiska's writing table. After 8
brief search he found among her pa
pers that ofBianka. This removed al
doubts. He carefully replaced every
thing in its proper place. unlocked
the door. and hastily returned to hi,
room. His ingenuity was soon taxed
for the design best suited for the
purpose Of destroying at once the
arrant mischief. Nor was he long
In coming to conclusion In the
first place, Lodoiska's silence mus,
be enforced by menace denounced
against the dearest objects Of heI
love. This was not q difficult tasl
for this INSCRIPTIONS man; but IL &c
happened that there were obstacles
In the way Of its practical accom-.
plishments. He determined, indeed
that Henry and Frederick must par
take of the fate OF the Frenchmen
now prisoners in the castle. Theil
lives were then dependent on Lodo.
iska's consent to swear upon the
host, never to betray his secret
But to effect all this. there Was re.
CURED a stronger body OF men than
was now at his disposal In the castle
Except the servants, o; whom the
greater number were serfs of Lodo.
iska's. and on whom Dolgorof could not
rely in case of extremity, there was
not a sufficient number at his dispo-
sal.
Dolgorof decided upon his plan
He resolved to concentrate a sufflci-
ent body OF men In the neighbor.
hood of the castle as . security
against all resistance. Then Henry
and Frederick were to be invited to
come abroad. and Unexpectedly
seized, gagged and carried away
When they should have penetrated
some distance into the forest, Dol
gorof purposed tc tell them that
their fate and that OF Lodoiska de-
pended on the preservation Of his
secret; and with this warning they were
to be dispatched with the other pris-
oners to the interior OF the country.
Only when all this was efrectually