Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-06-12
CHAP. VII.
Mildred Wrav

M3dTfd UYuy
Mildred Wray was one Of those sngnlarly
beautiful women on whom u ~ i,nposslpia W
gaze without fascination Ia style ana char
acter Of feature, she bore a STRIKING rosem'
blance To Leonard Ii was, indeed, sufficiently
marked to betray, at a glance, their close re-
lationship; yet there was a peculiarly about
il. which ia its details presented 80 many essen
tial points Of difference as to lead close OBJ
server to ascrihe them to a distinct parental
origin. In person, tall and Of commanding
presence, with figure cast in natures finest
mould, she moved model oil feminine grace
and elegance. the perfect ease and unrestraint
of her carriage contrasting singularly with the
aifectation Of the leading beauties Of the Paris
ian saloons whose port was only too evidently
borrowed fiom art Her complexion was of
pale, clear olive, with the slightest tinge Of
bloom in the cheek, which, however, deepened
under excitement, or fled entirely, leaving her
conntenance pale az marble. She wore her
hair after the simplest fashion II was jet
black, fine as silk, and HING in u prohision Of
natural cnrls around her lace and down her
neck. Her eycs.were OF the same hue and in
tenseIy brilliant but having pensive express
sion, amounting almost to sadness as it she
were the victim Of some settled, inward sorrow.
When she smiled it was sadly, too, and even
in her gayest moments the same melancholy
appeared to underlia her mirth Nevertheless
Mildred Wray was admitted to be one Of the
most fascinating and lovely women whose pres
enoe had graced the Paris saloons for many
long season Ii war, therefore, no wonder she
attracted crowd OF admirers, young and old,
wherever she went.
The elegant apartments of the Princess Ma
thilde, cousin Of Prince Louis Napoleon, were
filed with gay and lively thrcng of the fash
ionables Of the Republic. Music and dancing,
cards, chit chat politics, literature, each had
its votaries there, broken up into select circles
and absorbing all their interest for the time
being. The principal celebrities of the day
had formed themselves into n cote,7e, and were
deeply engaged in the discussion of the events
of the day, nndeterred by the presence Of the
parsonage who at that moment was looking for
ward, with intense anxiety, to the consumma-
ton Of the actual crisis but who, nevertheless,
did not betray in the slightest degree, the feel
ings and the thoughts then passing through his
mind Leonard, however, observed that IN the
course Of the evening the Prince held frequent
aside though brief conversations with his cousin,
and that she appeared to be the medium of
communication between him and sundry Of the
guests, who after comforting with her, would
move away to one or other Of the circles into
which the company was divided, and become
absorbed in their attention to the conversation
going forward
Leonard formed part of group consisting
of politicians of no particular shade Of opinion,
save that Of the republcauism of the day, Of
literary men, and few others, who had 10
turn disposed Of the weather, the last inVen-
tions Of science, tho most recent discoveries the
last novel, the affairs Of every Government in
the world, including that of France, and, in
fact praised, abused, and laughed at and phi
losophized and commented upon all kinds Of
persons, things, institutions, and countries, and
their habits, manners and customs, in the cosy,
of hand, chatty manner so peculiarly charac.
teristic Of the most polished, versatile, and
tickle people under the sun. Now and then
Leonard had joined in the discussions, chiefly
to correct misapprehensions on certain subjects
affecting his own country and it's institutions,
and of the reputation of which he. as a true
American citizen, felt somewhat jealous. 1t
pleased him TO observe that his corrections
were received with respect, and his opinions
deferred to.
He had just been endeavoring to explain his
views Of French republicansn, contrasting il
with that of tho United States, and had evil
IDENTIFY succeeded IN demonstrating to his inter-
ested listeners that the distinguishing features
of the repubhcanism OF America were alto
Of France and that radically it was sounder,
and impaired more freedom t. the body Of the
citizens.
At the close OF his observations, he was ad.
dressed by an individual, who had taken a
prominent part in the preceding conversation,
and whose name and European reputation az
m author and statesman, impaired no in
considerable weight 10 his opinions He wac
short Of STATURE aud some what corpulent; his
head WAS large and compact, and his countc-
nance was singularly expressive Of inesse He
wore spcctacles, which he now and then shifted
81 ~ to silow them to rest on his broad and
lofty forehead, by which net the cleaning vi
vacity Of his small gray, dsep-set eyes, was
allowed full play.
VIII you permit me- Monsieur said he, a
smile Of malice playing about the corners Of
his thin Iips, be spoke, TO ob-erye in what
respect am .of opinion our modern republic
Anism is moro consistent than that Of the Uni
ted States ! d. not ray VIC have more liber-
ty under onr Republic ia it's present form, or
that IL rests on 70 substantial basis, or pos
sesses the same elements 81 prosperity, as that
of America will not maintain that it has
even the prestige Of thore magnificent names
which are appended to yonr famous Declare
ton Of Independence, or " strengthened by
the administrative ability which 10 eminently
oharscscrzes your Executive Nor will 20 8,
far as to assert that IL IN 70 loud in proclaim
ing the great truth that all men arc equal,
and arc entitled therefore To equal rights Of
citizenship. ! only with to mprcss upon you
what believe 10 be the general opinion Of civ
ilized Europe; aud that ", that your Republic
u inconsistent We at least have been honest.
and given substantial proof that we believed
In the truths Of the doctrine of tho universal
right Of every man ~ equal privileges, poIiti
cal and personal. You are iware that one
Of the first acts Of the Provisional Govern.
mont, which has since been ratified by tho ma
ton. was 70 decree the emancipation Of the
slaves in our colonies. Now, 80 long az you,
in your country, hold millions Of mon in shame
ful bondage, Your republication il q mere de-
cors~, <x,xs. kin Crssioct doorof