The cries of the mother and children were
heart-rending.
The unhappy wife did everything in her power to save her dear husband.
She hastened to the city and appeared before the magistrate, to prove
the Count's innocence. She called upon all her neighbors to bear
testimony to her husband's quiet, retiring life, and to the fact that he
had taken no share in the affairs of his country, and had talked with no
one concerning them. But everything was in vain, and she was informed
that in a few days her husband would be sentenced to death.
After an absence of several days, the Countess returned to her country
seat and found her home occupied by soldiers, who had ransacked it and
reduced it to a common tavern to which admittance was denied her. Her
two children were nowhere to be found, and all her servants had been
driven away. It was late at night, and she knew not what to do next.
As she turned, she met Richard, her old, true and faithful servant, who
said to her: "My dear, good Countess Berlow, you, too, stand in danger
of suspicion this very minute, for you have been heard to speak of the
injustice and cruelty of the government. There is no escape for you,
except by secret flight. You cannot save your husband, and your presence
here will only bring trouble upon your own head. Your children are both
in one of the out-houses with my wife. Follow me there. My brother,
John, the old fisherman, has been notified, and I will take you to him
to-night. He will conduct you and your children across the river to
safety.
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