Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-06-30

MONSIEUR JEROME AND THE RUSSIAN
PRIMCESS

49,
| MONSIEUR JEROME AND THE RUSSIA
PRINCESS.
On arriving at Blois, | went to the Hotel de |
fete Noire-a massive, respectable-looking build
ing, situated on the quay nearly opposite bridg
that CT osses the river to the suburb of ST. Etenne
Ihe comfort OF the rooms, and the excellence O
the dinners that succeeded one another day b,
day. induced me to stay longer than had in
tended, and rendered me spectator and part acto
IN an adventure not uncon. mon in Frenchland-
Ny apartment was numbered 48-by the way
VINO ever saw No. in hotel, or upon watch
and next door-that is, at No. 49-dwelt q
very dignified-looking gentleman, always adj.
dressed as M. Jerome. | often take occasion te
say, that pique myself on being something of q
physiognomist; and as have been several times
right in my judgment of character and position
from inspection of the countenance, the occasions
IN which l have been mistaken NAV be set down
as exceptions. M. Jerome at once interested me;
and as was idly in search of health. and Fad
taken care to have nothing whatever to do but to
Kill time, the observation of this gentenan's ap-
pearance and manners naturally formed chief
part of my occupation.
began by ascertaining exactly the colour of
his eyes and hair-nearly black; the shape of his
nose straight, and rather too long; and would
have been glad to examine the form of his mouth,
but huge moustache hanging over his lips in
viz IiShoh iiiiHdry Slyle-See the portrait OF
General Cavaignac-prevented me from ascertain
ing the precise contour of what one of my old
philosophers calls the Port Esquiline of Derision
M. jerome was, upon the WHOLE handsome
man, with Economically bilious complexion, and
the expression of his large dark eyes was really
profound and striking. His costume was always
fashionable, without being snowy; and there was
nothing to object to but u diamond ring, some
what too ostentatiously displayed on the little
finger, which, in all his manual operations, at
dinner or elsewhere, always cooked up with an
lmpertlnent look- at-me air, that did not like.
When, indeed, this dandy walked slowly out of
the dining-room to the door steps, and lighted
his cigar, the said little finger became positively
obnoxious; and used to think whether it were
possible that that human being had been created
purposely as scaffodlng wherein to exhibit a
flashing little stone, set in twenty shillngs worth
of gold.
M jerome, though not, strictly speaking, 81
lent man, was sufficiently reserved at table. The
early courses were by him always allowed to pass
without any further remark than what politeness
requres-as: Shall send you some more of this
6lanquette 2 or, with pleasure, SIR and SO
forth. When dessert-time approached, however.
he generally began to unbend, to take part in
the general conversation, and throw in here and
there piquant anecdoie. He did this with so
much grace, that had it not been for the diamond
ring, should have been disposed to consider him
as man OF large experience in the best society
The other people who generally attended at table
travellers, commercial and otherwise, with one
or two smart folks from the town, on the look.
out for Partisan gossip, to retail to the less ad-
yenturous members of their crcle-were all de-
lighted with M, jerome; it was M. Jerome here,
and M. Jerome there; and if M. Jerome happened
to dine out, every one seemed to feel uneasy, and
look upon him as guilty of a great dereliction of
duty. They could almost as well have done
without their de1na-tasSe.
Although am an inquisitive, l am not very
impairment man. like to pry into other peo-
pies affairs only in so far as can do so without
hurting their feelings, or putting my own self
love in danger of check. IT, therefore, gave
the reins to my curiosity, and devoted myself to
studying the more apparent movements of this
NJ. Jerome, shrank from putting any direct ques-
tons to the garcon, who might probably at once
have given me very prosaic account of him.
On one occasion, threw in casually remark, to
The effect that the gentleman at No, 40 seemed
great favorte with the fair sex; but the only re-
ply was smile, and an acknowledgment that, in
general, people of fascinating exterior-here the
yarcon glanced at the mirror he was dusting-l
great favorites with the fairer portion of the
reation. I'VE Frenchmen, it was added, know |
he way to the female heart better than most |
men,. The waiter had paused with his buster
n his hand. felt that he was going to give me |
lis Art of Love; and opportunity remarking that |
had letter to put into the post, escaped the |
infection for the time.
I had, indeed, observed that if the public gen.
rally admitted the valuable qualities of M. Je- |
ONE as companion, his reputation was based |
on the approval of the ladies' All |
hese excellent judges agreed that he was nice, |
uiet, agreeable person; and $50 handsome p
1t least the seven members of an English family |
Who had come to visit Chambord, and fingered /
t the hotel a week-fve of them were daugh- |
ers-all expressed this opinion of M. Jerome;
nd even supercilious French lady, with par
icle attached to her name, admitted that he was
very WELL
One day, new face appeared at table to inter-
st me; and as the mysterious gentleman and his
diamond ring had puzzled me for a fortnight, DUR
ng which l had made no progress towards ascer-
aing his real position and character, I was not
orry to have my attention little diverted by
mysterious lady. Madame de Mourairef-a Rus
ian name, thought WAS a very agreeable per-
on to look at; much more so to me than M. Je-
ome She was not much past twenty years of
zee; small, slight, elegant in shape, if not COM
,letey so in manners; and with one of those
charming little faces which you can analyse into
lginess, but which in their synthesis, to speak as
noderns should. are admirable, adorable, fascn-
ting. | should have thought that such minois
Gould belong only to Paris the city of ugly wo-
men, whom art makes charming. However, there
t was above the shoulders, high of course
women are only found in England
above the shoulders of Russian Warehouses,
princess, czarina, or what you will, who called /
for her cigarettes after dinner was attended by a
little soubrette, named Penelope, and looked for
all the world as if she had just been whirled off
the boards of the Opera Comique
l at first believed that this was mere masca-
rade butwhen letter in formidable envelope;
with the seal of the Russian embassy arrives, ana
was exhibited in the absence of the 1sdy herseli
to every one of the dodgers, u proof OF the
aristocratic character of tbe customer OF the
dee a Molre sgne 70 had now far more in
terest;ne Object Of study than NJ Jerome and his
diamond ring n,s Madame de Mouraref was an ex-
ceedinalg liable person and the English fami-
:, :, Said whom have reason to believe were