The Wilmingtonian., 1823-10-02

policeman to fair girl, adorned with all the exte. ire
,ior charms which could captivate an ardent and Jar
susceptible young man. rc
Ban,sta had been educated by her fathers hi
sister. widow somewhat advanced in years, who re
had spent her best days in foreign court We IA
wife of public minister: the love OF celebrltyIc
and of artificial society which this lady had i'm y
bibed in her peculiar mode of life, was largelyIe
ins,ied into the inexperienced Bap,ista. Bu''
Baptsta's ambition had no influence upon hero
manners; the vvacity and artessness proper toe
her age, together with her natural grace, gave
the prevailing tone to her language and her sen !
tments. She seemed in her beauty and herlf
gaiety to represent the first spring after creation
gladness was born with her, and her life had gi
ded away without real or imaginary misfortune,
Her aunt had lwclt more upon her neicc's recepl
ton in the world, upon the amusements of
IA court, upon the triumph OF beauty, and 'hel
homage of gallant hearts, than upon the virtue
or accomplishments of her intended husband, /
and when Baptsta first behcld him in all The al
fractions of noble demeanour and charming
|countenance, her imagination was at once recalled
from its visions of pageantry and spiendour' ana
lrivetted by her senses to personal and men'a
praces, which we're addressed 10 better and high |
Ter sentiments than had ever before been deve'
Ioped in her bosom. Surprise timidi,y, and some
Itiing like awkwardness, were apparent IN nei
first reception of the Count, but short time IN
led the mutual interest which the occasion excl
tied The passion of the Count derived much OF
Its enthusiasm from an ardent imagination, whcl!
had never been fascinated by the privileges oi
rank or the Eavours of fortune. All the poetry of
his soul was consecrated 10 his lovely mistress i
he saw in her an termination of the all bealteous
mind " a personfca,ion of all that blesses and
atorns the lot of man-she was gem to display
|bctnre princes and be enved, flower whose
fragrance would be shed over his path, when eve
|rv other flower should have lost its hue and ITS
|odour--she would be the crown of his glory. as
Ishe was the treasure OF his inmost soul and ms
dearest thoughts. he should derive from her ali
Ibis felicity, he would devote to her his whole eX.
|istence. This exalted attachment was expressed
lin every look and action, ye controlled by ula'
delicacy and respect Which express alike, ten-
derness of heart and dignity of mind; and y bal'
tista's sensibily did not exactly accord with so
refined a passion, she felt lis pcrsuasveness, and
accepted its homage. The wishes Of her lover
land the consent of her father, soon led her Y,
1.-THE altar, and thence she departed to beau'ii'
retreat of the Counts, few leagues from iurin
In this happy retirement several months glded
away, when the Count de Verue received sum
mons from his royal master to appear at court
which he instantly obcycd. The Countess dd
lno accompany her hu band the sudden death 4
il was agreed to delay her presentation for shor
time, and meanwhile she reluctantly consented
Ito a separation of few weeks. The event OF IN
PRODUCTION to the gay and unknown world winch
had once occupied so much OF the Countess
thoughts, had become almost matter OF ndifie
renee to her in the new pleasures which love aii'
l., treason, and cultivated talent afforded; hut The
Iahsence of her husband, and the presence OF he
n ancient montress, soon revived her early antlcl
l. pa'ions with augmented desire; and she began Il
Hong for her lords return and her own consequen
removal, as if both were unreasonaby delayed
When the Count de- Verue returned to court
Victor Amadeus was suffering untlor a fit of phi
osophical disgust, and he took an early occasion
to disburdcn his heart to the Count. :" oitel
wish" said The King addressing his friend, "tha
II had been born peasant rather than prince
H. There are cares in royal state more consuming
,e and incessant than the labourer's toll Royalt
IS has thousand SPURIOUS but few genuine plea
It sures, and its intercourse with men for the mos
erIpart, is distant, constrained and unsat st ing
us (! have wife, and children, but cannot love m
ri. wife-I never loved her-she deserves my esteer
. she has it, but the cursed policy by which king
ofIare denied the right of the meanest snblect-t'
s;rght to domestic liberty and happiness has link
leIed my hand to her from whom my heart is, an
n must be eternally estranged. cannot ieproac
e. you, de Verue, that you have Withdrawn you
)nlself from court to devote yourself to woman yn
tyllove, wish to Heaven | had such privilege an
rylsuch partner.
rel Previous to this time, the Count had draw
" ,Isuch picture of his wife, and had describe
X his own felicity in such glowing terms, chat II
nd King was sngularly prepared to be interested II
ti- and even to envy him; and the mprhdent n
is beman, after this discourse, compared the sup
he rior attractions Of his vile with those OF ever
ii o,her lady his ma tsly was pleased to comment
he His curiosity thus fired, the King vehemenlly dt
ndsired to see this exquisite female, and ilnpor.l
ned the Count to bring her to court the Quee
ne was made to join in his request, and IN co"s'
no quence, The young Countess, nothing 10th, ";
w-Ibrought 10 tile royal presence She was Hattere
erby the pressing terms Of her invitation, and ht
on reception from the King and Queen was 100 gr
or cious not to delight novice in court favour, whc
ne indeed, catching an impulse from royal example
te was bestowed on the fair favoulite in all mann'
,orIof demonstrations, by every one who could Sn
~, lit any Importance.
,sel The Countess was herself enchanted by III
psIimpression she produced for there was somehln
,as fascinating in her innocence, her youthful bloor
10. and her animation of manner, that contrasted ~
he lmirably with conceited wit, faded faces, lnsp
le- smiles, and formal punctilios, and which SCENE
ditto take away all pretences to envy and detra
a ton. The Count de Verue saw the thousaI
,ut batteries that bestowed upon bis wife, ar
he he did not suspect how fatally they might aliena
I'D her from entire eevotedness to nimselt-he sa
all her without fear for her happiness and vlrt'Ie
ht a desire that she should become other than 81
his was; and he did not look beyond the prese
md hour for their common happiness AT this jun