“Now listen well. Remember every word
I say. There is a law as old as Germany that
if any woman sit for a single instant in the great
ducal chair before she hath been absolutely crowned
in presence of the people, she shall die!
So heed my words. Pretend humility. Pronounce
your judgments from the Premier’s chair, which
stands at the foot of the throne. Do this until
you are crowned and safe. It is not likely that
your sex will ever be discovered; but still it is the
part of wisdom to make all things as safe as may be
in this treacherous earthly life.”
“Oh; my father, is it for this my life hath
been a lie! Was it that I might cheat my unoffending
cousin of her rights? Spare me, father, spare
your child!”
“What, huzzy! Is this my reward for the
august fortune my brain has wrought for thee?
By the bones of my father, this puling sentiment of
thine but ill accords with my humor.
“Betake thee to the Duke, instantly! And
beware how thou meddlest with my purpose!”
Let this suffice, of the conversation. It is
enough for us to know that the prayers, the entreaties
and the tears of the gentle-natured girl availed nothing.
They nor anything could move the stout old lord of
Klugenstein. And so, at last, with a heavy heart,
the daughter saw the castle gates close behind her,
and found herself riding away in the darkness surrounded
by a knightly array of armed, vassals and a brave
following of servants.
The old baron sat silent for many minutes after his
daughter’s departure, and then he turned to
his sad wife and said:
“Dame, our matters seem speeding fairly.
It is full three months since I sent the shrewd and
handsome Count Detzin on his devilish mission to my
brother’s daughter Constance. If he fail,
we are not wholly safe; but if he do succeed, no power
can bar our girl from being Duchess e’en though
ill-fortune should decree she never should be Duke!”
“My heart is full of bodings, yet all may still
be well.”
“Tush, woman! Leave the owls to croak.
To bed with ye, and dream of Brandenburgh and grandeur!”
FESTIVITY AND TEARS
Six days after the occurrences related in the above
chapter, the brilliant capital of the Duchy of Brandenburgh
was resplendent with military pageantry, and noisy
with the rejoicings of loyal multitudes; for Conrad,
the young heir to the crown, was come. The old
Duke’s, heart was full of happiness, for Conrad’s
handsome person and graceful bearing had won his love
at once. The great halls of tie palace were thronged
with nobles, who welcomed Conrad bravely; and so bright
and happy did all things seem, that he felt his fears
and sorrows passing away and giving place to a comforting
contentment.
But in a remote apartment of the palace a scene of
a different nature was, transpiring. By a window
stood the Duke’s only child, the Lady Constance.
Her eyes were red and swollen, and full of tears.
She was alone. Presently she fell to weeping
anew, and said aloud:
