Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-04-18
parted, having first named the day for their

ms table three baskets, most elegantly orna-
mepted, ono filled with gold, another with
silver, and the third with precious stones of
every variety. He perceived that what she
had said to him respecting her being without
wealth, must have been only to ascertain
whether he loved her disintercstedly, for
these baskets and their contents would have
suftced for prncess's dowry She soon ae
forwards appeared, attended by numerous
suite, and requested TO speak in private with
the count. he conducted her 10 another
saloon, where she entreated him once more
to reflect OH what he was about TO do. ere it
should be too late TO retract eff your love
for me-" she said emphatically, .cools for
one moment, or is transferred to another. You
are inevitably lost; and the sign of your ap-
preaching death will be, seeing no other part
OF my person but my right foot"
The chevalicr again repeated his protesta-
tons OF fidelity with all the tenderness and
ardour OF first and violent love; and as the
lady wished to believe him true, she was not
long III giving him credit for all the vows he
uttered. The marriage was soiemuizcd with
the utmost splendour; DAYS and months
passed ia succession oil pleasures; the Young
wife became each day more beautiful and
amiable, and the birth Of a son seemed to
place their happiness beyond a possibility of
doubt. But alas nothing can be certain.
\ war broke out on the frontiers of France.
ticrrc was brave, and now ambition divided
his heart with love. The countess did not
choose TO oppose his desire for fame, but az
parting she she'd many tears, cntreating him
not to forget his wife, nor the lovely pledge
Of their affections.
Pierre passed the Rhine at the head of a
small and wel-chosen troop, and fought I'M
al ny thp N Nc .l,,t.o
engagement he distinguished himself aud i'm
one saved the dukes life The peace, which
was soon afterwards concluded, was also
brought about by MS cxertions; and the duke.
inll OF gratitude, and thinking he could not
pay hum too much respect, offered him tho
hand OF his Youngest and fairest daughter in
marriage, as a reward for his many services
Plerre's Inconsistency now showed itself, and
his behaviour now offered the most singular
contrasts; Tor at the same time he medtated
the descrtlon OF his lovely and confidinr wife.
the righteousness of his character would not
allow him to deceive the duke, by concealinq
his marriage. He, therefore, faithfully reIa.
ted all that had passed. The duke shook
his head but as he much wished for the
counts marriage with his daughter, he OBJ.
stnatoly closed his eyes to the Injustice of
the proceeding, and declared that the whole
affair must have been the work of marie
and that the eternal welfare of the counts
soul depended on this most dangerous con-
neXion being dissolved. The chaplain. when
consulted, assured the chevalier that the
whole OF this ma gical deusion would vanish
on ms receiving the holy benedictiop of the
church. Pierre allowed himself to be per-
suaded wIlhou+-fseFch difficulty, and tl,e ce.
remony OF betrothing was performed the
nuptials were deferred for a, fortniqff.
On the eve Of the day appointed for the
marriage, one of the counts people arrived
from Stauffenberg, with the intelligence that
his wife and child had disappeared from his
palace on the very day.of his betrothing-
This information confirmed the idea that the
whole was the-worl of magic.
Pierre, believing that he was rid Of them
now, and Thinking Of nothing but his young
bride, set out with light heart to country
palace of the dukes, where the marriage
was to be celebrated. As they were all seat
ed at table, tbc count, being not the least
merry OF the party, accidentally cast his
eyes on the wal! of the saloon, and beheid
starting from it n beautiful foot, the graceful
torn OF which ne remembered but too well
In vain did he rub bis eyes, and endeavour to
persuade himself that his sight deceived
him; still, to his horror and disnay. this omi.
nous appearance long remained. At length
1t vanished. The count emptied goblet af.
ter COB nt OF the choicest wine, endeayour-
ING to drown his gloomy presentments, and
at length partly succeeded. Tn the evening
they had to return to the dukes palace a.
small and gently flowing brook crossed their
path All the company, with the exception
Of Pierre, passed over the bridge, but he chose
to ford the stream. None opposed him but
as he reached the middle, the waters, before
so placid, seemed agitatcd by a violent tenn
pest; waves rose rs high as those of the
yeXed ocean, when the north wind tosses il
rom ITS very bed The company gazcd in
count struggling with the raging cJemonf-
lie uttered shrek of despair; his horse
was seen to plunge, and disappear for a mo-
ncnt bencatl, the waters in the next he
gained the Opposite bank but Of the unfor-
tunate count no trace remained.