The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-05-16

displaying, in the distant future, whole
life of happiness, love and wealth. Matilda
was inconsolable; n sad presentiment prevent
ed her from putting trust in tho promises of
an uncertain future. Whit could she hope
to add to the happiness they then enioyedand
which they were about 10 sacrifice TO sense
of duty. She felt that her beautiful dream
was over, and was passing away. Napoleon
covered her hand with kisses aud tears; "re-
member" said he, ''you are my betrothcd,and
that this hand belongs TO me-"
So sayng,he placed ruby ring on her finger.
cit belonged TO my mother" he added.
AS her sole answer, Matilda pressed the
ring TO her lips, and nix back in her chair,
overcome by her grief Napoleon then left
her.
His absence facilitated the plans ofthe Gen.
and the Duchess. The General appealed TO
Matilda's filial affection. He exaggerated his
poverty, pretended debts and engagements
which he could not keep, and pictured, with
an air of alright, wretchcd and dishonored
old age. lie cveh threatened to kill himself
She alone had the power TO save him-nnd
for that she must forget Napoleon, and marry
the rich Count do, with whose noble
and manly face, whose courage und strength
of mind she was familiar.
A little sefishness, and Matilda would
bic hearts to hasten on the sacrifice. Matilda
threw herself in despair, in the arms of her
fhtherand promised all. He blessed her,nnd
thanked her for her devotedness. Before he
had finished speaking, Matilda escaped from
his arms, 10 longer able 70 control herself
Exhausted by her eflortss she FASTENED TO shut
herselfup in her own apartment, and weep
in silence. In the meanwhile, the bGnus are
published, and on the 10th oflast January, in
the church of ST. Thomas dAquin, Matilda
married the Count de-. The General
was delighted.
/ At the moment of the benedicton, when
the husband places on the finger of hls wife
the ring--the symholical emblem ofthc cham
which unitcs them-instead of giving her left
hnnd, according TO the custom, Matilda pass
ed abruptly to the right Of the Count and eX-
tended her other hand The Count remou-
strated, and wished to take her left hand, hut
| Matilda withdrew it, and again presented her
| right hand, at the same time casting down
her ewes, hut with an iudOmitabe air of sub
nissiye determination. The Count mt once
perceived this, and fearing scene, he put the
ring on the right hand, which Matilda per-
sisted in presenting.
| The Count was iealous-as jealous ms o.
thello himself a fatal suspicion seized him.
The ring which Matilda wore on her right
hand, gave him much uneasiness. He pre-
tended NOT TO fancy Land begged Matilda not
to wear it. Matilda replied, that she would
not part with it-hcr answer was gentle, but
evinccd the same determination she had
shown az the church.
The suspicious ofthe Count from that mo-
ment were changed lntoccrtainty: but as Inc
wished to avenge himself he concealed them
He arranged set of spies about Matlda.-lt
was not long before letter came from Napo-
leon. The unfortunate young man, Ignorant
of the sacrifice of Matilda, and the ruin Of his
hopes, spoke of his love, his plans for the fla
! ture, and their approaching marriage. He
Iremin ded Matilda that her hand was his, and
! he bege ed herto look often upon his mothers
ruby ring, to remind her ofhim. He finished
by announ cling piece of good news. Tie
ambassador was about to entrust him with
important dispatches for Paris. Before the
month was over. he would see Matilda again
This letter of Napoleon's fell INTO the Counts
hands; he understood it al.
He went into his wife's room, holding in his
hand the open letter; he handed IT to her
81 understand your scrples now" said lac
''whv did you not explain yourself sooncr:-
You had sworn that your hand should be on.
ly his. Very well, as soon as he comes,l WI
see that you keep your OATH" he added, VIII
a frightiul smile.
Matilda did not beuay the slightest emotion
She feared nothing more upon earth. A
month afierward, Napoleon arrived in Paris
But he was much changed; he knew already
his misiortuncs,and was gloomy and despair
ing The morning ofthC day after his alTiva
a small ebony Golfer was brought to him byi
domestic in livery. He opened IT. Judge OF
his grief and terror 1t contained bloody
hand. 1t was the hand of u woman-of Ma
tlda.
On piece ofbood-stnined paper were these
words:
"See how the Countess de--keeps hel
oath"
Flushed with mingled grief and indigna
ton, he seizes his pistols and PUSHES to th'
house Of the Count. The Count and Matilda
had left during the night, some hours after thu
bloody operation of DR.. Hubert. 1t was no
known whittier they had gone.
: The evening OH which Napoleon recognis
ed the ring of his mother on the watch ofDT
HUBERT, he had gone to the ball, impelIed b.
Il secret presentiment.
The next day,NapoIeon and Iiuberi iough
! ! in tho woods Vincennes. The Doctor, NOR
skillful with the knife than with the SWORD
was severely wounded under his arm. Hope
are entertained of his recovery. Before IA
parted with his adversary, he related Wha
; occurred on that cruel night,on which he ha
i been forced by feeling ofhumanityto com
NIT crime. "Besides," he added, "Matild
did not suffer much. A sublime devotloG
: sustained her fortiude, and am certain sh
. was consoled in the endurance ofthe paln,b
the thought that the hand would be sent t
c YOU. When had finished heard her sa
: in low tone, behind the curtain, that cor
5 cealed her from me: Tell him my heart WI
: 90 with my hand. But for the ruby neye
: should have been enabled to fulfil her WISH
Compelled to fly, to escape being 9arreste