Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-07-16


her tears and appeared composed and resign,
"a 70 her fate In the morning the guests hau
srrivsd the priest was ready, the bridegroom IN
attendance: but the bride was wanting. she
was not in her apartment. Inc caste WAS
searched from turret to dungeon, Dut the young
lady was not found Al leng.n, pan vi Inp.
nsrS was discovered on the ledge OF window;
,bav were recognized as those of the bride. On
Looking out, she was seen lying in her night
Irass a corpse, in the ditch of the castle, into
which she had precipitated herselfto avoid
detested union.
The present story, though Of more mod
ern dale as il happened somewhat after the
middle of the last century, in some points re-
sembles the foregoing; but the lady, although,
if possible, still more unfortunate in her destiny,
does not appear to have possessed the despe-
rate resolution of her fair predecessor.
Baron Z, the proprietor of these domains
al that period had led single lite until near
fifty, and perhaps might have continued to do
SO, had not some disagreement with his brother,
who in default of issue was his heir, determined
him to disappoint his expectations by taxing
wife at that late period Having formed TINS
resolution, he proposed for the daughter OF the
Prince Of P, of Catania, girl OF eignteen'
whom perhaps he had not seen twice III ms NE
time The baron being well known oy his large
possessions, the father consented at once to
match, which, reckoning for nothing the dlspar-
ity of years, or the incnations OF his child, ne
esteemed highly advantageous. When he COM
muncated the offer to his daughter, and order
ed her peremptorily to receive the baron as her
future husband, the young lady was thunder
struck, at intelligence so unlocked for, and dis
agreeable, and remained silent, being incapa-
HE of utterance, in the presence of the prince;
hut no sooner had he retired, than throwing
herself at the feet of her mother, she conJured
her to prevent union, which could not fail to
plunge her in irremediable misery. The prin-
cess, though attached to her daughter, knowing
the arbitrary and violent character of her hus
band declined all interference in the matter,
and recommended obedience, as the wisest and
fltest course. In fact, both her parents were
aware that her principal objection to the baron
was an attachment she entertained for cadet,
of a noble family, an officeran the army, then
absent in Naples; but neither of them suspected
she had already clandestnely become his wife
They had, previous to his departure, been pri.
vately married by the family chaplain, who had
been won over by their entreaties. No wonder,
then that the unfortunate girl testified such re-
pugnance to the match now proposed 10 her, In
vain she expostulated and entreated; deaf car
was turned to her prayers. Her union with the
officer she dared not reveal, well knowing from
the vindictive temper Of her father, that such
confession would cost the life Of her husband.
She prevailed on the chaplain who had lnarri-
ed them, 10 demonstrate with the prince, on the
injustice he was about to commit by forcing the
inclinatons of his daughter, and thus rendering
her miserable for life but the efforts of the
priest were unavailing, the prince drove him
from his presence, and threatened him with his
vengeance, for this unca!led for interference in
his family affairs
Whilst the young lady remained utterly at
loss what step to take in so deplorable condi-
tion her father (aware, as have said, of her
inclination for the young otticerO artfully pro-
cured letter to be sent from Naples, detailing
ECtfi of Hoat N or
that when he had thus succeeded in shutting out
all hope, he should find her more tractable.-
These dreadful tidingS overwhelmed her with
grief; but, far from answering the expectations
of the prince, seemed only to have increased
her aversion to the baron until her father, de- |
signing to terrify her into consent gave her the
choice Of a convent, or that nobleman for a
husband; disappointed by her gladly embracing
the former, he retracted his offer, which had
been mere menace, and would not even hear of
the alternative he had himself proposed. He |
then allowed her but three days TO prepare her
SELF giving her 20 understand that the baron at
the expiration Of that period would come to |
the palace to Dc betrOthed to her, Us is the Gus |
tom N Sicily, previous 10 the actual celebration
of the marriage ceremony
These In e days were three whole ages of
horIorto the unfortunate young lady. At times |
her heart mlSgave her, ana suspicious came |
over Ter mind that the story of her husbands !
death might be a fabrication; a notion which |
only served 20 add 10 the cruel embarrassment !
OF her situation. She resolved still to hold out |
and to refuse her consent when the fatal hour |
arrived, When it did, and the baron came in |
STATE, with long train of relatives aad friends |
10 witness the event. she refused 10 appear, and |
remained IN an undress within her chamber
But these were weak personalities againt the |
fury o' her father, who violently tore her in |
That condition from her apartment, and apollo
IN thn .I,,sL L.. 4
WdywardneSS, commanded her to signify her |
consent to the proposed union. Terrified by |
MS menaceS, and not gifted by nature with any |
great energy of character, she said, in faItering
accents, that she was compelled to comply with |
the Will OF her father This dubious assent was
esteemed sufficient by those to whom direct |
refusal would have signihed as little. Soon |
after, the marriage ceremony took place; she
was carried by force to the church, where she |
TAINTED at the altar, and remained in state OF
lhsensolity, during the greater part of the SER
wee. After ITS termination, the exuting baron |
returned 20 MaScal, with his mourning bride !