The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-06-05

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therefore, that The duke singled her ou, as
the object Of his special attention. The
und'ssguised delight with which Matilda en-
joyed the triumph over her rivals, first
made me doubt the better qualities of her
nature. !, using the privilege Of my years,
endeavored in vain to arouse her suspicions
aud to awaken her to n full sense Of the
danger she was incurring in this intimacy
--bu, she was too self.willed To listen tn al,
old mans caution, md nothing was left 10
me but to look on while the game was play
ed.
ln the course Of short time, the billiard
players found that the stranger could pin
money as nminbly ms he once lost il, aud
many precipitate retreat from the sum-
mer abode of fashion, might he attributed
to the grace with which the noble Duke
presided over the table of fortune. Many
a young dandy, who had dealt out the high
eat encoBiums on his highness' uffablliiy,
was obliged 10 add his regrets that repub-
lican purse was quite insufficient TO support
SO aristocraiic an acquaintance. In the
meantime the singular beauty Of his coun-
tenance seemed TO serve him instead of a
letter of credit, and wherever he went he
was sure of being well received. :" Why
does he always wear that cloak ~ I asked
Matilda, to whom he professed to have mar
rated many incidents in his life. "Oh,
there isa very romantic story connected
with IT," replied she, "but il was related to
me onder promise Of secrecy; l can tell
you enough, however, TO sccount for his
always wearing it, While travelling thro'
CalHbia I'e was fortunate enough To rescue
a Spanish Prince from the hands Of bnn-
di,,i in the sudden impulse of gratitude
the Prince threw his own cloak, with its
splendid diamond clasp, on the Dukes
shoulders, and exacted from him n promise
never TO appear without it until they should
meet again" How long since this ro-
mantle adventure occurred 7" I asked
About three years" "Thc Duke has
been extremely careful Of his royal rift, il
he Inns been nbe to retain its first gloss so
long. said l but Matilda dei2ued no re-
ply to my inueudo, and questioned her
40 farther. i remained ah anxious, thougl,
not an interested spectator of their proceed
ings, until I learned that Matilda had bro
ken of an engagement of \ years s,nudius
with her cousin, o. Promising lawyer in
Charleston, and then IN disgust, ! quilted
the Springs.
had been but few days at my old win
ter lodgings in the City Hotel, when found
the Duke Of Piombino was among US.
Matilda had returned to her splendid house
near the Battery aud the Duke took up bis
abode IN the vicinity, determined To follow
up his advantage. Living in the house
with him, ! could not bat observe the nd
mirable manner in which he conducted hi.
man1uyers. His 6De horsen,anship-his
skill in music--his vast erudition-aII were
topics Of praise in the circles he visited
hut could not divest myself Of the belief
thni equestrian skill was all that he actual
y possessed. The picturesque beauty of
his altitude as he flung back The drapery of
his short cloak and striking a few cords
on the guitar, breathed in low, sweet voice,
some simple French or Spanish love song,
was enough to disarm all criticism, and
Rnny q sensible girl, charmed by the magic
Of his tones, forgo, to nsk whether it was
the gift Of nature, or the effect Of cultivn-
lion.
His reputation for learning, he wns care
ful not to endanger. AIIusion to strange
personal adventures were much more com
mon in his mouth than philosophical dis
cussions, and be had tact seldom eqanlled
in turning the conversation from books to
things, from actions 10 persons.
At length ] received a card to attend the
wedding of the rich and beautiful Matilda
E.a .t,,.U Al, f..s
beauty with which her magnificent, abode
was infested on that fes,sl night The
rooms were converted into Turkish pavil-
ions Of unequellcd splendor, bangings of
silk and gold covered the walls, cushions Of
elder down, covered with the cosiliest sat
ins, were piled upon the floors, the siairca-
ses were crowded with the richest cxoiics,
aud every thing wore the Appearance Of an
oriental festival The guests were a,iired
with prnpouionatc richness, but murnurs
of admiration echocd through the rooms as
the bridal party entered. Six bridesmaids
attended the stately bride, who, in her rich
robe of white velvet, embroidered with sill
yer, mud loopcd with diamonds, looked " ev-
cry inch q queen !" The ordinary splen-
dor "f the dukes atiire left no opportunity
fm greatcr display tIrat evening, but the al
most radiant beauty Of his countennnce
huslied ms it was with triumph, was noticed
by MI.
The nezt morning The happy pair left the
city for Warrington. bu, before dinner time
MI the Broadway Ioupgers were whispering
,ome strange story abou, The dukes cloak.
il was said that il had been worn less TO
produee grpceful effect than to hide q most
lngraeeJm deformiy- short. the hdy's
emme de chambre has discovered that the
noble bridegroom bad a bump-back.
A few months after, Msiilda's vast prop !
srty was converted iuio bills of exchange 4
md they departed for Europe, intending tn
make the grand toor, while the nneieu, pal
sce Of the Ducul teurory Of Piombino
should be newly furnished 10 receive It's re-