Pagina 477 di 788

"I arrest you in the name of His Imperial Majesty! Yield your

sword, Count, for I shall summon the aid of the army; and you are

aware, that if any one dares to make a night attack under arms,

it is provided by ukaz one thousand two hundred, that as a

malef--"

Thereupon the Count struck him across the face with the flat of

his sword. The Assessor fell stunned, and disappeared among the

nettles; all thought that he was wounded or dead.

"I see," said the Judge, "that this looks like brigandage."

Every one shrieked; all were deafened by the wailing of Zosia,

who, throwing her arms around the Judge, cried like a child

pricked with needles by Jews.

Meanwhile Telimena had rushed among the horses and extended her

clasped hands towards the Count.

"Upon your honour!" she cried with a piercing voice, with head

thrown back and with streaming hair. "By all that is holy, we

implore you on our knees! Count, will you dare to refuse? Ladies

beg you; savage man, you must first murder us!"