Strona 597 z 1118

This woman had been born in the castle, and had passed her life

in it. She had been impressed from infancy with an opinion of the

unlimited power of its masters; and her principal maxim was

implicit obedience towards them. To the ideas of duty were united

sentiments of respect, fear, and servile devotion. When the

Unknown became lord of the castle, and began to make such

horrible use of his power, she experienced a degree of pain, and

at the same time a more profound sentiment of subjection. In time

she became habituated to what was daily acting before her: the

powerful and unbridled will of such a lord she viewed as an

exercise of fated justice. When somewhat advanced in years, she

had espoused a servant of the house, who being sent on a

hazardous expedition, left his body on the high road, and his

wife a widow in the castle. The revenge that her lord took for

his death imparted to her a savage consolation, and increased her

pride at being under his protection.