Natalie no longer heard him. Almost unconscious lay she in Marianne’s arms. Paulo was lost, sentenced to death, imprisoned, and banished for life—that was all she had heard and comprehended—this terrible news had confused and benumbed her senses.
“Sir!” implored Marianne, pressing Natalie to her bosom, “you will at least have some mercy upon this young maiden; you will not thrust us out upon the streets; you will grant us a quiet residence in this house until we can collect our effects and secure what is indisputably ours!”
“Every thing in this house is the indisputable property of the empress!” roughly responded Stephano.
“But not ourselves, I hope!” excitedly exclaimed Marianne. “This imperial power does not extend over our persons?”
Stephano roughly replied: “The door stands open, go! But go directly, or I shall be compelled to arrest you for opposing the execution of the laws, and stirring up sedition!”
“Yes, let us go,” cried Natalie, who had recovered her consciousness—“let us go, Marianne. Let us not remain a moment longer in a house belonging to that barbarous Russian empress who has condemned the noble Count Paulo as a criminal, and, robber-like, taken forcible possession of his property!”
And, following the first impulse of her noble pride, the young maiden took Marianne by the hand and drew her away.
“They, at least, shall not forcibly eject us,” said she; “no, no, we will go of our own free will, self-banished!”
“But where shall we go?” cried Marianne, wringing her hands.
“Where God wills!” solemnly responded the young maiden.