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 quickly spread by the servants. It was known that the Count had threatened-his daughter with imprisonment in a convent and with disinheritance. What had the father, always so indulgent, demanded thus sternly of his daughter? What had his only child, always clinging to him with deep affection, refused so obstinately? What terrible secret was it that separated them? Would he have fulfilled his threat had not death so suddenly overtaken him? Did the daughter mourn over his death, had she intended to submit, or was she glad that his death had liberated her? Did it concern some marriage to which she would not consent, or some love which she refused to give up? Much was said about the young harper, her teacher, with whom she was more friendly than with any one else. Was he the cause of the trouble? Much was also conjectured about the Emperor—that ardent love for him had seized her during the evening when he moved incognito among her father’s guests. Had she insulted the proud father by recklessly confessing her love?