A Burlesque Autobiography | Page 4

son were born to me. And further, in case no son, were born to either,
but only daughters, then the succession should pass to Ulrich's daughter,
if she proved stainless; if she did not, my daughter should succeed, if
she retained a blameless name. And so I, and my old wife here, prayed
fervently for the good boon of a son, but the prayer was vain. You were
born to us. I was in despair. I saw the mighty prize slipping from my
grasp, the splendid dream vanishing away. And I had been so hopeful!
Five years had Ulrich lived in wedlock, and yet his wife had borne no

heir of either sex.
"'But hold,' I said, 'all is not lost.' A saving scheme had shot athwart my
brain. You were born at midnight. Only the leech, the nurse, and six
waiting-women knew your sex. I hanged them every one before an
hour had sped. Next morning all the barony went mad with rejoicing
over the proclamation that a son was born to Klugenstein, an heir to
mighty Brandenburgh! And well the secret has been kept. Your
mother's own sister nursed your infancy, and from that time forward we
feared nothing.
"When you were ten years old, a daughter was born to Ulrich. We
grieved, but hoped for good results from measles, or physicians, or
other natural enemies of infancy, but were always disappointed. She
lived, she throve- -Heaven's malison upon her! But it is nothing. We are
safe. For, Ha-ha! have we not a son? And is not our son the future Duke?
Our well- beloved Conrad, is it not so?--for, woman of
eight-and-twenty years--as you are, my child, none other name than
that hath ever fallen to you!
"Now it hath come to pass that age hath laid its hand upon my brother,
and he waxes feeble. The cares of state do tax him sore. Therefore he
wills that you shall come to him and be already Duke--in act, though
not yet in name. Your servitors are ready--you journey forth to-night.
"Now listen well. Remember every word I say. There is a law as old as
Germany that if any woman sit for a single instant in the great ducal
chair before she hath been absolutely crowned in presence of the people,
SHE SHALL DIE! So heed my words. Pretend humility. Pronounce
your judgments from the Premier's chair, which stands at the foot of the
throne. Do this until you are crowned and safe. It is not likely that your
sex will ever be discovered; but still it is the part of wisdom to make all
things as safe as may be in this treacherous earthly life."
"Oh; my father, is it for this my life hath been a lie! Was it that I might
cheat my unoffending cousin of her rights? Spare me, father, spare your
child!"

"What, huzzy! Is this my reward for the august fortune my brain has
wrought for thee? By the bones of my father, this puling sentiment of
thine but ill accords with my humor.
"Betake thee to the Duke, instantly! And beware how thou meddlest
with my purpose!"
Let this suffice, of the conversation. It is enough for us to know that the
prayers, the entreaties and the tears of the gentle-natured girl availed
nothing. They nor anything could move the stout old lord of
Klugenstein. And so, at last, with a heavy heart, the daughter saw the
castle gates close behind her, and found herself riding away in the
darkness surrounded by a knightly array of armed, vassals and a brave
following of servants.
The old baron sat silent for many minutes after his daughter's departure,
and then he turned to his sad wife and said:
"Dame, our matters seem speeding fairly. It is full three months since I
sent the shrewd and handsome Count Detzin on his devilish mission to
my brother's daughter Constance. If he fail, we are not wholly safe; but
if he do succeed, no power can bar our girl from being Duchess e'en
though ill-fortune should decree she never should be Duke!"
"My heart is full of bodings, yet all may still be well."
"Tush, woman! Leave the owls to croak. To bed with ye, and dream of
Brandenburgh and grandeur!"

CHAPTER II
.
FESTIVITY AND TEARS
Six days after the occurrences related in the above chapter, the brilliant
capital of the Duchy of Brandenburgh was resplendent with military
pageantry, and noisy with the rejoicings of loyal multitudes; for Conrad,

the young heir to the crown, was come. The old Duke's, heart was full
of happiness, for Conrad's handsome person and graceful bearing had
won his love at once. The great halls of tie palace were thronged with
nobles, who welcomed Conrad bravely; and so bright and