The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-04-10


singled her out as the object Of his speciaI
attention. The undisguised delight with
which Matilda enjoyed the triumph over her
rivals, first made me doubt the better qualities
Of her nature. /, using the privilege Of my
years, endeavored in vain 10 arouse her susy
picions, and TO awaken her TO "a full sense OF
the danger she was incurring IN this intimacy
but she was too self-willed to listen 10 an
OLD mans caution. and nothing was left to me
oul 10 look on while the game was played.
In The course Of short time the billiard
players found that the stranger could Din mo-
ney as amiably as he once lost it, and many
Precipltate retreat from the summer abode
Of fashion, might be attributed to the grace
with which the noble Duke presided over the
table OF fortune. Many young dandy, who
had dealt out the highest encomiums on his
highness' afabiity was obliged TO- add his re-
grets that republican purse was quite INSULT
cient 10 support SO aristocra,ic an acquaintance.
In the meantime the singular beauty Of his
countenance seemed TO serve him instead Of
letter Of credit, and wherever he went he
was sure Of being well received. why
does he always wear that cloak - asked
Matilda, to whom he professed to have nara
ted many incidents in his life. "Oh, there
Is very romantic story connected with II"
replied she, "but it was related to me under
promise Of secrecy i can tell you enough,
however, to account for his always wearing
it. While travelling through Calabria ne was
fortunate enough TO rescue Spanish Prince
from the hands of banditrr;' 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 promise never to appear without il until
they should meet again. How long since
this romantic adventure occurred Z" | asked.
:" About three years" "The Duke has been
extremely careful of his royal gift, if he has
been able to retain its first gloss so long, said
/; but Matilda d.. igned no reply to my inu-
endo, and questioned her no farther. re-
NAMED an anxious, though not an interested
spectator Of their proceedings, until learned
that Matilda had broken off an engagement OF
years standing with her cousin, promising
lawyer in Charleston, and then, in disgust, /
quilted the Springs.
had been but a few days at my old winter
lodgings in the City Hotel, when found the
Duke OF Piombino was among US. Matilda
had returned TO her splendid house near the
Battery and the Duke took up his abode in
the vicinity, determined TO follow up his, adj
vantage. Living in the house with him,
could not but observe the admirable manner
in which he conducted his manGuvres. His
fine horsemanship--his skill in music-his
vast erudition-all were topics Of praise in
the circles where he visited; but could not
divest myself Of the belief that equestrian
skill was all that he actually possessed. The
picturesque beauty Of his attitude as he flung
back the drapery Of his short cloak : and
striking few cords on the guitar, breathed in
a low, sweet voice, some simple French or
Spanish love song, was enough to disarm all
criticism, and many sensible girl, charmed
by the magic Of his tones forgot to ask whe-
ther it was the gift Of nature, or the effect Of
cultivation. His reputation for learning, he
was careful not To endanger. Allusion to
strange personal adventures were much more
common in his mouth than philosophical dis
cussions, and he had tact seldom equalled in
turning the conversation from books to things,
from actions to persons.
At length received card to attend the
wedding of the rich and beautiful Matilda
Easton. How shall describe the fairy-like
beauty with which her magnificent abode was
were converted into Turkish pavlions Of un-
equalled splendor, hangngs Of silk and gold
covered the walls, cushions of elder down,
covered with the costliest saiins, were piled
upon the floors, the staircases were crowded
with the richest exotics, and every thing wore
the appearance of an oriental festival. The
guests were alfred with proportiona,e rich
ness, but murinurs of admiration echoed
through the rooms as the bridal party entered.
Six bridesmaids attended the stately bride,
who, in her rich robe Of white velvet, en-
broidered with silver, and looped with dia-
monds, looked ''every inch queen" The
ordinary splendor of the dukes attire left no
opportunity for greater display that evening,
but the almost radiant beauty Of his counte-
nance, flushed as it was with triumph, was
noticed by all
The next morning the happy pair left the
city fol Washington, but before dinner time all
the Broadway loungers were whispering some
strange story about the dukes cloak. It was
said that it had been worn less to produce a
graceful effect than to hide most ungraceful
deformity--in Short the ladys femme de
chambre has discovered that the noble BRIDE
groom had hump-back.
A few months afe MatiIda's vast property
was converted into bills of exchange, and
they departed for Europe, intending to make
the grand tour, while the ancient palace Of
the Ducal territory of Piombino should be
newly furnished TO receive its republican mis-
tress.
Poor Matilda she has been for some time
a boarder in a convent in the South of France.
Her pride will not allow her return to her
native land, and the remnant of her fortune
has enabled her to purchase home among
strangers. The discovery which she made
of his personal deformity was the first shock
she encountered; but, to reconcile her to this
he had shown her q feur de lys stamped
deeply on his shoulder as with hot iron,
which he informed her. under a solemn in