Page:Libussa, Duchess of Bohemia; also, The Man Without a Name.djvu/75

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Libussa.
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In the meantime Libussa was far from being idle during the three days which were granted to her for consideration. She diligently communed with herself by what means she could satisfy the importunate demand of the people, and give to the country a duke, and to herself a spouse, who would be the chosen of her heart. She dreaded lest Prince Wladomir should impose himself by force upon her, or rob her of the throne. Necessity compelled her to execute a plan which she had often revolved in her head as a pleasant dream; for what mortal has not a hobby in his head, which he seizes in his leisure hours, and plays with as with a doll. There is not a more amusing pastime for a young lady who wears tight shoes, than to think, when cutting her corns, of a handsome carriage and four; the prude dreams of a prince sighing at her feet; the vain orders a set of jewels; the avaricious wins the first prize in a lottery; the man who sits in a debtors’ prison comes into the possession of a rich inheritance; the squanderer discovers the philosopher’s stone; and the poor woodman finds a treasure in a hollow tree. It is true, all this only takes place in the imagination—not, however, without a certain secret enjoyment. Second sight was ever intimately connected with