Page:The Lady's Book Vol. V.pdf/42

 40 BERTHA.

away from a spot so perilous ; I will follow thee to some more public room ; we are lost if thou art found here. "

" We are lost, at any rate , " replied Angilbert ; " but worthless as life seems to me now , I would not endanger thine for an empire . The king is ' in the bath , and we are safe for at least an hour . " " Then tell me what has happened to pale thy cheek , my Angilbert ? Art thou ordered for Rome ? or is the blow dealt through me ? Say in what worst alternative my lot is cast , and whether thy faithful Bertha must break her heart in a convent or on a throne . "

" Thou hast said it . The Greek Empress has sent to demand thee for her son, Constantine . ”

" But my father will not consent ; he loves me too well to part with me ; no - never think it, Angilbert !! "

" The king will sacrifice his affection to the interests of his country and his daughter . He will part with thee, Bertha ! "

" But not to her not to the house of Irene, that cruel and usurping queen - No , no - never ! never ! never ! "

" Alas ! I have just come from the audience- the affair is settled, and thou art lost to Angil- bert ! "

The blood forsook Bertha's cheek, her eyes closed , and she sank fainting into his arms. Dis- tracted with terror, and ignorant what to do , he laid her down upon the bench , hung over her pale form , fanned her face , pressed her hands , and finally was on the point of calling aloud for aid. The warm stream of life, however , soon returned to flow through its paradise of beauty , and as his mistress opened again her bright eyes , Angilbert clasped her in his arms , and showered upon her brow , and cheeks , and lips , the kisses of his love and his despair.

The hour allowed by the lover for his visit passed quickly away ; and, in mingling tears and vows , they had as yet neglected to consider se- riously the situation in which they were placed , and to inquire whether any possibility of escape existed , however wild and desperate.

Another hour passed away more quickly and less sad ; and the lovers, whose only lights were each others ' eyes , at length perceived that the evening had come down in silence and darkness.

" So much the better, " said Angilbert , in reply to the startled remark of Bertha. " Under cover of this friendly shade I can retire in safety when I will ; let us then steal one other hour of mournful joy, and then -- then , sweet , good - night ! " The third hour passed away -more swifi

Than meditation or the thoughts of love, and they again looked round. The thick clouds had rolled from the face of the sky, and the moon stood full and bright in the serene heavens. It was as clear as day and as silent as night ; and as the horn of a sentinel on the ramparts echoed through the court, the lovers feeling that the mo- ment of separation had indeed arrived , glided with noiseless step to the window to look together upon the beautiful moon.

An extensive open court was before them, across which lay the way of Angilbert , and the only egress from this part of the palace. The court was surrounded by piazzas, and the moon light , streaming upon the marble pillars , made them appear of dazzling whiteness. Below, however , was spread a carpet still more purely white ; for during the hour of darkness a heavy fall of snow had descended , and the whole pave- ment of the court was covered with what might have seemed a sheet of virgin silver. There was not a breath of air to ruffle this beautiful surface ; and as the women of the royal family - all but Bertha - had long since retired to rest, with their whole household , its purity was unsullied , and its regularity unbroken by human foot.

" Thou tremblest, oh , my love ! " whispered Angilbert ; " the cold of this heavenly night has fallen upon thy heart . Farewell , farewell - re- tire to thy repose ; and for me , before seeking my sleepless couch , I will offer up a prayer in the chapel to its holy protectress , the blessed Virgin , for thy health and life . " Trembling , till the agita- tion seemed a nervous affection , but clinging to his embrace with the strength of despair , Bertha raised her eyes , which had been fixed with speech- less terror upon the court , and her lover saw that her face was as white as the snow itself. She at length pointed with a shudder to the snow ; and as a terrible thought struck like lightning through the heart of Angilbert, he smote his breast , and groaned aloud.

" A man's footsteps, " cried he , " to be seen in the morning in the midnight snow -- and from thy apartment ! Wretch that I am , I have destroyed her whom I love more than life ! Hark ! that distant noise of doors and voices- the king is retiring to bed ; the door of egress from the court will be locked ; nay , thy father may come here himself , as is sometimes his wont , to ask if thou art asleep ! What is to be done ? There is not a moment to be lost ; lend me thy shoes - alas they are too small ! Quick , quick , set thy woman's wit to work - arouse thee , bestir thee - awake , awake , for by the holy Virgin , 1 am duller than an owl , and more helpless than a babe ! "

The noise they had heard was indeed the breaking up of the court ; for Charles, sleeping enough in the morning , after dinner , to satisfy nature , cared not about the time of retiring ; and , even when in bed , was in the habit of re- ceiving visitors , and transacting business during a great part of the night. * The Greek stranger had had the honour of seeing him sup, when he observed , with surprise , the temperate habits of so great a prince. The supper consisted of only four dishes, principally roast game , brought to table on the spit by the chief huntsman ; and during the repast the king drank wine only three or four times , getting up without ceremony as soon as his appetite was satisfied. The affair, however , was conducted in other respects with all befitting pomp and circumstance. Besides * Eginhard, in Vit. Carol. Magn. ↑ Ibid.