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Updated: August 5, 2024
"It is not likely," he said, after he had heard the end of the narrative, "that Drentell will allow the matter to rest. A man who is so unscrupulous as is this young tyrant, will go to extremes to carry out his purpose or to take vengeance upon those who have thwarted him.
It is not strange, therefore, that these balls should present the most fascinating aspects of Russian life, and form a charming contrast to the dark scenes of ignorance and misery which it has been our duty to depict. The ball at the Governor's was given to introduce into polite Russian society Loris Drentell, the Governor's son. Loris had returned after a short absence from Kief.
While the Count and Countess are at supper, we may find time to examine into their past and become better acquainted with the worthy couple, into whose company the events of this story will occasionally lead us. Dimitri was the only son of Paul Drentell, the renowned banker of St. Petersburg, who had been raised to the nobility as a reward for having negotiated a loan for the Government.
The incriminating papers found in the places designated by the informer Moleska sealed their doom. Governor Drentell himself pronounced their sentence. Two days afterward they were secretly executed. Tyranny, which for a brief period had slept, was now wide-awake and aggressively active. Throughout the entire Empire despotism stalked unimpeded.
His eyes rolled wildly, his whole body seemed swayed by uncontrollable rage. Little Jacob, although he understood nothing of the Count's words, recoiled instinctively and hid his face in his hands. Drentell gradually regained his composure, and after walking up and down the room for a few moments, in apparent meditation, he rang the bell. A servant entered.
Do you know, Dimitri, our days at Lubny were pleasant, after all?" "Perhaps," answered Drentell, sarcastically, "that accounts for your incessant desire to leave the place." "I never know when I am happy," said Louise, truthfully. For some minutes she again rocked herself vigorously. It was her way of stimulating her mental faculties. Suddenly she cried: "Ah, if you had only brought Mikail along.
"Oh, well, Dimitri will forgive me when I tell him how sorry I am," she thought to herself, as she tripped up the stone steps into the house. In the brilliantly lighted hall she was met by her husband, Count Dimitri Drentell, and she clasped her arms around his neck in a transport of conjugal affection. "So you have come back, my dear, from those horrid barracks!" she cried. "I am so glad!
When, therefore, Paul Drentell, because of his valuable services in raising a loan which enabled Russia to engage in war with one of her less powerful neighbors, was elevated to the nobility, it caused no surprise, and the banker at once began a life of pomp and extravagance which he thought suited to his new station.
"Come! let us return to the ball room," said Drentell, taking the priest by the arm. "Your excellency must pardon me," answered Mikail, "My clothes are travel-stained, and I am neither in a condition nor in the humor to enjoy the festivities." "But Loris is here," continued the Governor. Mikail suppressed a grimace of displeasure. "There is no haste.
Acting entirely upon this suspicion, he ordered the arrest of Moleska, who, overcome by terror, confessed the entire plot. On the following day, Loris was hastily summoned into the Governor's presence. He found his father striding up and down the apartment, a prey to the most violent agitation. "You have sent for me, father?" said the young man. "Yes; sit down," answered Drentell, curtly.
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