Page:Elizabeth, or, The exiles of Siberia (2).pdf/23

Rh the Emperor and his august bride. The princess received from his hands the imperial crown, and with this superb pledge of their union girded her modest brow. Opposite to them, the venerable Platoff, the patriarch of Moscow, reminded Alexander, from the chair of truth, of the duties belonging to kings, and the responsibility which God imposed on them, as countervailing the power and splendour he bestowed. “Master of the greatest empire in the universe," said he, “thou who art about to swear that thou wilt watch over the destinies of a kingdom containing one-fifth of the globe, never forget that thou hast to answer before God for the fate of so many millions of men, and that any injustice done to the least among them, which thou mightest prevent, will be visited upon thee at the day of judgment."

Just after Alexander had pronounced the oath, by which he bound himself to debate his existence to the happiness of his people, Elizabeth could no longer restrain herself; but bursting through the crowd with a supernatural energy, she rushed towards the throne, exclaiming -“PARDON! PARDON!" This cry, which interrupted the ceremony, occasioned a considerable murmur, and some guards dragged Elizabeth out of the church, in spite of her friend. Alexander, however, on such an occasion, wished not to be implored in vain-he therefore sent an  officer to know what the woman wanted. The officer hastened along, saw her, and knew her, and exclaimed, “It is Elizabeth.” She looked at him in silence, and recognized Smoloff-they rushed into each others arms. He now proposed to present her to the Emperor himself, and conducted her back to the church at the very moment the imperial procession was departing through the great door. Directly the Emperor came near, Smoloff approached him holding Elizabeth by the hand, and throwing himself on his knees, while she did the same, exclaimed-“ Sire ! deign to hear me-hear the voice of misfortune and of virtue. You now behold the daughter of the unhappy Stanislaus Potowsky, arrived from the deserts of Isehim, where her parents have anguished in exile for twelve years. Alone, she has performed the journey on foot, braving every misery to come here, and implore at your feet her father's pardon!” Elizabeth raised her supplicating hands, repeating, "My father's pardon!” There was a unanimous cry of admiration among the crowd. Alexander was himself struck, and though he had strong prejudices against Stanislans Potowsky, they now vanished. "Your father is free,” said he; "I grant you his pardon." Elizabeth could hear no more-at the very sound of PARDON, a sense of joy overpowered her, and she fell senseless into the arms of Smoloff. She was borne away through the crowd of people, who applauded the virtue of the heroine, and the clemency of the Monarch, to the house of the good