Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-06-04

aud wealth. Matilda was iuconsoablc a sad pre-
sentiment prevented her from putting any trust in
the promises Of an uncertain future What could
she hope TO add to the happiness they then enjoyed,
and which they were about to sacrifice to a sense
OF duty She felt that her beautiful dream was
over, and was passing away Napoleon covered
her hand with kisses aud tears; remember" said
he, remember that you are my beircthed, aud that
this hand belongs to me-"
So saying. he placed ruby ring upon her FIN
ger.
at belonged to my mother" he added.
As her sole answer Matilda pressed the ring 10
her lips aud sank back in her chair overcome by
her grief Napoleon then left her.
His absence facilitated the pla-s Of the General
and the Duchess. The General appealed TO Malil-
da's ial affection He exaggerated his poverty pre-
tended debts aud engagements which he could not
keep, and dshonored old age. He even threatened
to kill himself She alone had the power to save
him--and for that she must forget Napoleon, and
marry the rich Count de, with whose noble
and manly face, whose courage and strength Of
mind, she was familiar.
little selsfhness, and Matilda would have been
saved but it is the weakness of noble hearts to
hasten on the sacrifice. Matilda threw herself,
in despair in the Of her father, aud promised
all. lie blessed her, and thanked her for her de-
yotedness Before he had finished speaking, Ma
tlda escaped from his arms, no longer able TO con-
troll herself Exhausted by her efforts she hasten
ed to shut herself up in her own apartment, and
wept in silence. In the meanwhile, the banns were
published and, on the 10Th Of last January in the
church Of ST. Thames dAquin Matilda married
the Count de-. The General was delight
ed.
At the moment ofthe benediciion, when the hus-
band places on the finger Of his wife the ring the
symbolica emblem OF the chain which unites them
INSTEAD Of giving her left hand according to Gus
tom, Matilda abruptly passed TO the right Of the
Count, and extended her other hand. The Count
demonstrated, and wished to take her lefl hand, but
Matilda withdrew it, and again presented her right
hand, at the same time casting down her eyes, but
with an ndomitable air Of submissive determination
The Connt at once perceived this. and fearing
scene, he put the ring on the right hand, which
Matilda persisted in presenting
The Count was jealous-as jealous as Othello
himself A fatal suspicion seized him. The ring
which Matilda wore on her LEFT hand, gave him
much uneasness He pretended not TO fancy it,
and begged Matilda not to wear IT, Matilda replied,
that she would not part with it-her answer was
gentle, but evinced the same determination she had
shown at the church.
The suspicious Of the Count from that moment
were changed into certainty; but as he wished TO
ayenge himself he concealed them He arranged
a set Of spies about Matilda twas not long before
letter came from Napoleon. The unfortunate
young man. ignorant ofthc 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 he
begged her TO look upon his mothers ruby ring,
! to remind her of him. lie finished by announcing
| piece OF good news The ambassador was about
to entrust him with important dispatches for Paris
Before the month was over, he would see Matilda
again This letter ofNapoleons fell into the Count
| hands; he understood it all.
He went into his wife's room holding in his
hand the open letter he handed it to her 81 un-
derstand your scruples now said he "why die
you not explain yourself sooner! You had sworr
that your hand should be only his. Very we'll al
soon as he comes, will see that you keep your oath,
he added with lrightful smile
j Matilda did not beIray the slightest emotion, -
She feared nothing more upon earth. A mont
aiterward, Napoleon arrived in Paris But he wa
much changed he already knew his misfortune
ard was gloomy and despairing The morning o
the day after his arrival, small ebony Golfer wa
brought to him by domestic in livery, He open
ed it. Judge Of his grief and terror? Ii containe
; bloody hand. 1t was the hand Of a woman--o
!, Matilda.
On apiece of bloody-sianed paper were 'hes
/ words
: "see how the Countess de keeps he
OATH
Flushed with mingled griefand indignation, b
}. seizes his pistols aud rushes TO the house Of III
/ Count The Count and Matilda had len durin
D the night some hours after the bloody operation
! DR.. HUBERT II was not known whittier they ha
e gone