The Orpheus C. Kerr Papers Volume Ii Part 31

"'I see it all,' he continued, in frantic accents. 'Zara, you are lost!

lost to me forever! I go to my death. Zara, a last farewell!' He was about to leave her, when she caught his arm, and hissed in his ear:

"'Is this your love that you once boasted of?'

"'Zara, let me go; I am almost mad.'

"'And I am _quite_ mad. Listen to me, faithless Christian. I beheld you in the streets when you saw me not, and have risked honor, life, every thing, to come to you, and be your slave. How could I help what has pa.s.sed? My father--'

"'Zara, you should have _died_ first.'

"For a time she remained silent, with her head bowed, and then said, in low tones:

"'Christian, you are right; I should, indeed, have preferred death to my present fate; but it is too late now. I will return to my _master_; yet do I hope to see you once again. Will you not grant me that favor?'

"'Once more,' answered Garstoff mechanically.

"'Then come here to-morrow, and you will find a large chest; place yourself in it, and two slaves will bring you to me. Do you promise?'

"'I do, Zara,' and, in deep sorrow, Garstoff turned away.

"'Base dog!' muttered Zara, as she again m.u.f.fled her features, 'you have rejected the daughter of Nemyl, and she sleeps not while you press the earth.'

"The favorite sped hastily back to the palace, and entered by a secret door, while the Kislar Aga, who had concealed himself near her at the mosque, and witnessed the interview, hastened to the queen mother, and made his report, when she exclaimed:

"'Allah be praised! this Circa.s.sian will soon be under the Bosphorus; for Zara will meet her gallant, and his serene highness shall behold himself dishonored.'

"Knowing the extreme affection entertained for Zara by Soliman, the cautious woman was wary in her communication, and did not reveal the whole matter, until the Sultan's suspicions had been aroused by her hints. He first ridiculed, then listened silently, then believed; and, finally, agreed to conceal himself in the Sultana's apartment, and judge for himself.

"He waited until the moment of a.s.signation approached, and was looking upon the unconscious object of his gaze with returning confidence, when a curtain of the apartment was raised, and two negro slaves entered, bearing a large chest between them.

"Zara motioned for them to leave it and depart; and then raising the lid, Garstoff stepped forth, and the Sultan uttered an inward groan.

"'Drink this, and it will give you strength,' said Zara, presenting a goblet of liquor to the janissary.

"Garstoff raised the cup to his lips, and drained it at a draught; on which the fair Circa.s.sian burst into a fit of hysterical laughter.

"'Is this a moment for merriment?' asked Garstoff, sternly.

"'Wine makes me merry!' she answered, drinking from another goblet.

'And now, Christian, do you know what you came here for?'

"'To see you for the last time.'

"'That is true, follower of Isauri--_you go not hence alive!_'

"'What mean you, woman?' exclaimed Garstoff, starting from his seat with pallid cheeks.

"'_I mean that you have swallowed poison!_' screamed Zara, the fire of insanity blazing from her eyes. 'You scorned the daughter of Nemyl, and she has taken revenge! Pray to Isauri--pray to--'

"Garstoff dropped upon the floor, a disfigured corpse, and the Sultan bounded from his place of concealment upon Zara; but the purple veins of her forehead were swelling out like cords, and before he could speak to her she was--_dead!_"

"Really," says Vitchisvitch, the Russian member, drawing a long breath, "there is too much of the 'blood and thunder' style about that story to suit me; but here is something more quiet."

And he proceeded, my boy, to make known unto us

THE LITTLE MAN IN GREEN.

"On a clear, cold night in December, Nicholas Dimitri, a young officer of Cossacks, was walking slowly through a public street of St.

Petersburg, with a military cloak thrown over his shoulder, and looking steadfastly to the ground, as though intent upon some prospect of no ordinary interest. Acquaintances of all ranks were constantly pa.s.sing him, but their silent salutes met no return, and many a surmise was hazarded as to what his mission was, that it caused such evident abstraction in one so generally admired for his flow _d'esprit_.

Unconscious of attracting attention, Nicholas strode onwards wrapped in thought, until he became aware of violent collision with some person going in an opposite direction, and almost immediately a hoa.r.s.e voice exclaimed:

"'What, in the name of all that's good, are you about? Are not the walks wide enough for both of us, that you must needs knock a man's breath out of his body in this way? By the Admiral's wig! I've a mind to return the compliment with my fists, you lubber.'

"The officer of Cossacks started involuntarily, as his reverie was thus broken, and beheld standing before him a very stout individual, rather below the ordinary height in stature, with iron-grey hair, prominent features much embrowned, and clad in a plain green uniform, such as was worn by the privates in the army. The little man stood directly in his path, with an expression of good natured defiance resting upon his countenance, and flourishing a short cane in his right hand.

"'I beg your pardon, sir,' said Nicholas, somewhat provoked, 'but I was hardly conscious of being in the street at all. Allow me to pa.s.s, sir, I am in haste.' He attempted to get by the little gentleman, but that person had no idea of allowing such a move, and in the coolest possible manner linked his arm with that of the impatient officer.

"'It's my watch now,' he said, with a short laugh, 'and as you don't bunk in just yet, we may as well be company for each other. I ain't particular about which way you go, so up with your irons and we'll scud.'

"'I can permit no such familiarities,' replied Nicholas, angrily, attempting to release his arm. 'Are you intoxicated, that you do not perceive I am an officer? Let go my arm, sir, or I will call the patrol, and place you under guard.'

"Notwithstanding this threat, the little man still hung on, and walked boldly beside him with great good humor.

"'Ha! ha! you think I belong to the army, Mr. Officer,' he observed, with much jocularity. 'I know rather more about the sea, and never tip my cap to anything less than a frigate captain. But never mind that.

This street should be better lighted, and yet if it had been, I should never have known you--don't you think so? Now really don't you think the Emperor or Czar should pay more attention to lighting the streets?

I should think the people would grumble about it--don't they?'

"Seeing that his new acquaintance was determined to walk beside him, the officer had resolved to let him talk without venturing a reply, but this slur upon the Czar wounded his pride, and he answered impatiently,

"'You cannot be a Russian, sir, or you would not dare speak thus disrespectfully of the greatest, n.o.blest, and best living sovereign.

Why should we need more light, sirrah, when the moon is shining brightly? Let me warn you not to speak this way before others, or you may receive rough treatment. Every Muscovite honors and loves the Czar as a father, and a slighter cause than that just given by you has cost many a foreigner his life in St. Petersburg.'

"As the young man spoke, he seemed to forget his companion, and yielded his whole soul to the enthusiasm of loyalty.

"'I like you,' said the little man, heartily.

"'Indeed!'

"'Yes, and will help you.'

"'Help me?' asked Nicholas, stopping suddenly in his walk, eyeing his companion with mingled astonishment and suspicion.

"'I said so. Is there anything extraordinary in that!'

"'Who are you?' demanded the officer, sternly.