Year: 1875




powerful Boyard. descending from one Oi
the Greek Princes who had been driven
from Constantinople at the fall of the
Lower Empire He was wealthy, gener.
Gus, and magnificent, the father of a pro-
missing son-who. at The period this his
tory relat 8 was Is years old.-and the
husband of the most beautiful woman in
the country. Thyra c. was looked up
on as the happiest and most envied of her
sex: and she might have justified the
general belief, for nature had endowed her
with mental powers no less remarkable
than her personal perfectiOns, had it not
unfortunately happened that. amid the
countless roses with which her path in
life had been strcwn. one sharp thorn had
lurked and pierced her to the heart, rend-
ering her, in the intolerable anguish il oc-
casioned, regardless of the many other
blessings which had been shOwered upon
her.


In a word, she was of suspicious and
jealous disposition; passionately attached
TO her husband. and, to all appearance, de
voted to her children, she, nevertheless,
lived In constant distrust of him. which
his character aud manner were too well
calculated 10 Justify, for his general admir-
alton of beauty was matter of notorietv.
And although, from a knowledge of his



cautions in his infidelities towards her
that she had never vet been able to detect
him In love intrigue. she, nevertheless,
felt so persuaded that he was constantly
involved in such pursuits that she became
prey to vague jealousy, which imbitter-
ed every hour of her existence.


At last her suspicious appeared to find
an object on which to settle. Among her
female attendants was young and pref
ty Transylvanian, named Media, whose
superior education had rendered her a
favorite with her lady. All at once the
damsel became neglectful Of her duties,
absent in mind, and inattentive TO the
wishes of her mistress; when reprimand-
ed by her. she betrayed violence and hau-
teur. Thyra threatened to dismiss her
from her service. The Prince opposed
such measure; and in proportion as the
displeasure of his wife was evinced
towards the delinquent, the voice and
manner of her husband softened in her
favor.


This was more than sufficient to fire the
suspicious of the Princess. Eager TO as
certain the reality of that which she dread
ed, and resolved TO rush upon knowledge
that would break her heart, she forgot her
dignity so much as to play the eaves-drop-
per and spy over her attendant, for some
time without any result. One day, how
ever, when the Young girl had been sent
for by her, and had neglected to attend
the summons, Thyra treacherOusly crept
up back way to her menial's chamber,
or room door, and noiselessly stationing
herself outside of it listened to what was
passing within. A murmur of voices in
the room convinced her that Media was
not alone. and almost Immediately that OF
the suspected damsel broke upon her ear
in accents the purpOrt of which could not
be mistaken.


Leave me-" she said, "for heavens
sake. leave me! If my mistress were 70
know of your being here, | would be lost
forever. Already she suspects and watch
es me, and live i'm daily terror of her dis
covering a love which would draw upon
me her eternal enmity. Go, Prince-gO,
Demetri! This evening so soon as tits
dark, | will cOntrive to steal out to the
fountain i'm the sycamore grove-meet me
there at S-your preteXt for absenting
yourself from home will prevent the
Princess from suspecting that we"


Here the voice became fainter, as the
person speaking moved toward an oppo-
site door: the footsteps of Il man were
plainly TO be distinguished moving i'm the
same direction. Thyra could hear no
more-she strained the eyes 20 the crevice
of the door at which she was stationed,
hut saw nothing. Her heart OverflOwing
with tumultuous passion, she was for a
moment tempted to burst open the door,
and confound the guilty one who had
presumed to rival her in her husbands
love; but listening again she felt assured
that the room was empty, and mo
ment's reflection showed her that, Nv few
hours delay, she might render her veH-
geance more signal and complete. She
therefore, returned in the same stealthy
manner TO her apartments, shut herself up
and took measures accordingly.


Her determination was to prevent the
possibility of Media quitting the house, anC
then TO disgnise herself in the dress of 8
serving damsel, and to perSonate the per
fidious attendant at the rendezvous at the
sycamore grove. which she heard arranged
by her. These meditations were inter
rupted by message from the Prince. ap
prising her that he should be absent from
home the remainder of the day, and should
probably not return until late that night
and this message, all the additional proc
of the calculating treachery which hel
faithleSs husband scrupled not to eXercis,
toward her, was the last drop that over
flowed the cup. The evaporation of hel
outraged feelings knew no bounds; anC
she remained I'm solitude in her apartment
that no member of the family might no
tice her agitation.


An hour before sunset Media was sum
mOned TO her lady's presence, and received
an order TO remain near her and complete
some embroidery, with which she hersel
had been occupied.


Not daring TO disobey, and hoping tC
finish her task before the hour of appoint
ment with her lover had arrived, the young
girl sat down to her work with unwonteC
alacrity. The room in which they wer,
was an upper chamber, and formed th'
last of a spacious suite, having no en-
trance but the one which preceded it. No
long after Media was seated in her EN-
broidery frame, the Princess arose ant
quilted the room, locked the door OF IL
and leaving her attendant close prisone
there, with no possibility of egress unit
she herself should release her, she proceed
ed to Medals chamber, where she selecte'
suit f her clothes, hastened TO diSguis
herself i'm them, and, throwing veil owe
her head, quilted the house, aud directe(
her steps toward the trysting-place.


Ii was late in the autumn; the day
were shortening visibly, the evenings wer
cold and gloomy, night closed in imme
diately after sunset, and there was no moo
to illuminate the dull, gray sky. Thyr
was the first TO arrive at the rendezvous
and, under the influance of never-slumber
ing suspicion, she fancied, when she foun
herself there alone, her scbeming had bee
discovered. and her husband would deies
her plan ofvengeaRee by not appearing; bu
few moments sufiiced to Hndeceive hel
A quick, light step approached. Wha
eagerness was i'm that tread, and how IN
dignantly did her heart thrOb as she listen
ed TO ii. The obscurity was so complet
that she could not even discern the on
line of the person who drew near; but TN
perfume of smbergris, with which he
husbands hair and garments were alway
impregnated, floated upon the air, and
low, counterfeited voice breathed fort
the words: Hist! Media; are you herr
love?' directed her towards him.


She stretched forth her hand, with
whisper ed, YES" and grasped some
thing which she recognized as the EN-
broidered pattan worn by the heads of IN
princely house of C. In the next me
ment the arms Of the impatient lover wer
thrown around her, and she was draw


l. in q