The Shadow of the Czar

al Zabern, the Warden of the Charter; and the Charter being the palladium of Czernovese liberty, the cu

Czernovese ambassador at St. Petersburg; for Czernova, be it known, though but a small state, was nevertheless sufficiently wealthy

like statues before the folding doors of the audience-chamber, each dressed in wh

dered with iron. Courage was indelibly stamped upon his face. He was fifty-three years of age, and t

admirers-and they numbered every man with Polish blood in his veins-that in childhood he had been taken by his fa

ian yoke, and, as a result, he had made acquaintance with that indispensable adjunct to Muscovite civilization, Siberi

guarding this last fragment of Poland both against open aggressi

some shadow of reason on their side; for though Zabern was naturally of a frank and ope

t upon the arts of diplomacy, and in those arts Zabern was without a rival. Prince Metternich

ring diplomatist stand aghast, he would merely reply: "The truth is, your Highness, each of us was trying to deceive the other; I happened to be the greater liar of the two, and so I succeeded. With

eaucracy of St. Petersburg, and extradition having failed to secure his person, recourse was had

s premiership was purely nominal. None knew better than the count himself that he had

marshal the incident of the fraca

bern received the news with

e you told the others?" he added, meaning b

nd all is that the princess mu

ir of one who should say

ative manner, "this duel must take pla

s our duty to inform her Highness without delay, unless," added t

hed the marshal good-humoredly. "Wo

lver bell in the audience-chamber announced that

ns flung wide

mewhat stern whisper, "not a wor

ys guided by the advice of his c

aloon,-a hall so called from its pure

ho now bore the name of Natalie, b

ile, and motioned the two coun

as this sentiment which made him look askance at her intended marriage with the duke. With doubts of its wisdom even as a politic

event it; and matters that day

my lords, presumably, theref

liberticide,"

al ball given at the Winter Palace a few nights ago the Emperor Nicholas walked up to him, and in a severe voice, obviously intended to

t matters little. It would have become public knowledge soon, i

was that he could give no answer till he ha

d the Cza

st be governed according to its Charter, and as the Charter fixes the words of the coronation-oath, we cannot deviate from them without violating the conditions upon which autonomy was ceded to us. I would that w

changed." And then aloud she added, "Why, count, would you

Czar was a Greek, was nevertheless a politician before all th

are one. Act diplomatically. Publicly attend the services of the Greek basilica; privately have yo

you," said Barbara, coldly. "I

rn, who made a point of always agreeing with his sovereign, for by

the Czar's words and manner were regarded by all the ambassadors present as a distinct menace to

any similar threats," sa

atholic your Highness is precluded from reigning. We would not alarm your Highness unne

faith is dearer to me than crown or life.

picture of melanch

" remarked Zabern, "your Highness will, of

Barbara

cover whether they cannot put upon the coronation-oath an interpretation different from that taken by the Czar. We will appeal to the decision o

ence the princess, knitting h

of that which I revealed to my c

s interchanged s

cter that we have hitherto withheld it from your Highness, hoping that it might prove false. In v

!" ejacula

y of our council-chamber have been reported to the ministers of the Czar. The

ad various extracts, all ten

r!" murmured Barbara in dismay. "Who is the traitor! Whom do

at whom to point the fing

rn's face, and he murmured

, marshal?" said Barb

ill say this much, however," continued Zabern, bending forward over the table

somewhat relieved by

ents," continued Zabern. "Nay, more; I have hi

e man Russakoff?

easonable correspondence, and nothing but her Highness's cl

ow?" asked Barb

ld soon make

shall be put to the torture during my régime. I am trying to civ

sa, and pray the saints that he will unravel that

long and crafty; when will it be stayed? That desire of our hea

say, our capital contains at the present moment an English

personage?" asked

Woodville, lately r

watched Barbara with an eye ready to detect the slightest change in her manner. But the princess showed no confusion of face at the mention of the name "Woodville,"

vely; and then her face brightening, she added

staying at the H?tel de Varsovie. I had a-

abern a look which warned him to say as li

our men have done the like, think you, Zabern?" and without waiting for reply she turned to Rad

ear," replied Radzivil, thinking

a grim whisper to the premier, "for

ous Englishman ere he departs. Coun

obably end in the death of this same Englishman, felt extremely uncomfortable, and b

an Captain Woodville's words br

the superior way in which they handled their guns. And of what nationality they were is shown by the fact that Russian words were frequently heard in the heat of the mêlée. Captain Woodville has already embodied his views in despatches which are now under the consideration of the

nce and tapped the hilt o

ising," said the princess with a height

rter rose, bowed, and retired, wending their way

ubled look, "the princess seems to t

he be with the man who slays h

lace?" said Radzivil angrily. "You seek to destroy my

future consort presuming to set himself above the law. It may cause her affections

at

th a cynical smile. "Why was I so earnest

se the p

oon be engaging in another duel. And my plan has succeeded," continued the marshall with a triumphant chuckle. "This day the duke is pledged to a duel with sabres. They fight à la mort,

likely, the duke will

deserves a better fate. In that case the duke, in accordance w

that he had not carried the m

Zabern with imperturbable coolness; "and, as you know, she is an enthusiast for l

" gasped t

lly, doesn't it? I

must intervene to stop this duel. I

ained in Czernova the duke must go. Fool!" he continued with a savage flash of his eyes, and forcibly detaining the pr

e. A trooper moved forward to meet them and stood at

s it, N

sakoff has escaped

guards shall s