The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-07-09


Matilda was inconsolable; a. sad presentment
prevented her from putting any trust in the
promises of an uncertain future. What could
she hope to the happiness they then enjoyed
and which they were about 10 sacrifice to
sense of duty. She felt that ner beautiful
dream was over, and was passing away. Ma
poleon covered her hand with kisses and
tears; remember said he, remember that
you are my betrothed, and that this hand be-
longs to me-
So saying, he placed ruby ring on her
finger.
sit belongs TO my molher,' he added.
AS her sole answer Matilda pre- ssed the
ring 10. her lips, and sunk back in the chair,
overcome by her grief Napoleon then left
her.
His absence facilitated the plans of the
General and the Duchess. The General
appealed TO Matilda's flial affection. He.
exaggerated his poverty pretended debts and
engagements which he could not keep, and
| pictured, with an air of alright, wretched
and dishonored old age. He even threatened
TO kill himself. She alone had the power 10
save hlm-and for that she must forget Ma
poleon and marry the young Count de-,
with whose noble and manly face, whose cour-
age and strength of mind, she was familiar.
Alttle sel6shness and Matilda would have
been saved but il is the weakness of noble
hearts TO hasten on the sacrifice. Matilda
threw herself, in despair, in the arms of her
father, and promised all. He blessed her,
and thanked her for her devoiedness. Be-
fore he had finished speaking, Matilda escap-
ed from his arms, no longer able TO control
heIself. Exhausted by her efforts, she hast
ened 10 shut herselfup in her own apartment,
and wepi in silence. In the meanwhile,
the banns are published, and, on the 18Th of.
last January, IN the church of St. Thos. d
Aquin, Matilda married the Count do.
The General was delighted.
AT the moment of the bendiciion, when
the husband places on the finger Of his wife
the ring the-symbolical emblem of the
chain which unites them-instead of giving.
her left hand, according 10 custom, Matilda
abruptly passed 10 the right of the Count,and
extended her other hand The Count re-
monstrated, and wished TO take her left hand
but Matilda withdrew it, and again present.
ted her right hand, at the same time casting
down her eyes, but with an. indomitable air
of submissive determination. The Count
at once perceived this, and fearing sceness
htfffua ii ptalsfstad If pf i| ring 1 -
The Count was jealous--as- jealous as
Othello himself A fatal suspicion seized
him. The ring which Matilda wore on her
right hand, gave him much uneasiness. He
pretended not TO fancy it. Matilda replied
that she would not part with it-her answer
was gentle, but evinced the same determine
ton she had shown al the church.
The suspicious of the Count from that mo-
ment were changed into certainty; but as he
wished TO avenge himself he concealed them.
He arranged set of spies about Matilda. 1t
was not long before letter came from Ma
poIeon The unfortunate young man, igno-
rant of the sacrifice of Matilda, and the ruin
of his hopes, spoke of his love, his plans for
the future, and their approaching marriage.
He reminded Matilda that her hand was his,
and begged her 10 look often on his mothers
ruby ring, TO remind her ofhim. He finish
ed by announcing piece of good news
The ambassador was about 10 entrust him i'm
portant dispatches for Paris. Before the
month was over he would see Matilda again.
This letter fell into the Counts hands: he I'M
dersteod it all.
He vent into his wife's room, holding in
his hands tire open letter; he handed j, TO her.
| understand your scruples,' now said hei
why did you not explain yourself soonerf--
You had sworn that your had should be only
his. Very we'll, as soon as he comes Will
see that you keep your OATH he added, with
a frightful smile.
Matilda did not betray the slightest emo
ton. She feared nothing more upon earth.
A month afterwards Napoleon arrived in Par
is. But he was much changed; he already
knew his mislortunes, and was gloomy and
desparing The morning of the day after
his arrivals small ebony Golfer was brought
TO him by domestic in livery.-He open
edit. Judge of his grief and tenori Ii con-
tanned bloody hand. 1t was the hand ola
Matilda.
On a piece of blood stained paper were
these words:
sSeeAhow the Countess e-keeps her
OATH"
Flushed with mingled grief and indigna-
ton, he seizes his pistols and rushes to the
house of the Count. The Count and Matil-
da had left during the night, some hours al
ter the bloody operation OF Dr. Huberti. 1t
was not known whether they had gone.
The evening on which Napoleon had re-
cognised the ring of his mother on the watch
OF Dr. Huberti, he had gone TO the ball, i'm
PEELED by secret presentment.
The next day Napoleon and HUBERT fought
in the woods of Vincennes. The Dr., more
skillful with the knife than the sword, was
severely wounded the arm. Hopes are en-
tertained of his recovery.
Before he parted with his adversary, he
related what had occurred on that cruelnight
on which he had been forced by feeling of