The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1855-04-04
I'll srrlIanp.
Nicholas and the Grand Duchess
Maria.

Maria.
A few years since, there was in th
city of St Petersburgh young girl S
beautiful and so lovely that the great es
prince of Europe had he met her eve,
in peasant hut, might we'll have turne,
his back upon princesses. to offer her hi
hand and throne. But far from having
seen the light in PEASANTS ut,sbe wa
born in the shadow Of the proujes
throne on the earth. 1t was Maria Nj
colnwna, the adorcd daughter of the
Emperor Of Russia As her father saw
her blooming like the may flower, and
sought for by all the heirs of royalty. he
cast his eyes upon the faircst, the rich
est. and the IN st powerful of them. and
with the smile Of father and king,
said to her
L" Ny child, you are now of an age to
marry, and have chosen for you the
prince who will make you queen, and
the man who will render you happy"
"Tho man who will render me happv?"
stammcrod the blushing princess, with a
sigh-which was the only objection to
which her heart gave utterancc. Speak,
father !" she said, as she saw the frown
gathering on the brow of tho Car !;
speak, and your Majesty shall be obey
cd ~
Obcycd !" exclaimed the Emperor
trembling for the first time in his life !;
lis it, then. ouly as an act Of obedience
that you will receive husband from my
hands :"
The young girl was silent, and con-
ccalcd Il tear
Is your faith already pligh,od ?"
The young girl was still silent.
Explain yourself Maria l COM
mand you -
At this word. which sways sixty mil
lions of human beings, the princess fell
at the feet Of the Gar.
Yes, fathcr--if / must tell you-
my heart is no longer my own it is be.
slowed upon young man who knows it
not, and who shall never know it. if such
be your wish lie has seen me but two
or three times at n distance. and VIC vii!
never speak to each other, if your ma.
jcstv forbids it !"
The Emperor was silent in his turn.
lie grew pale Three times ho made
the circuit Of the saloon. He would
have bravc1, for caprice the monarchs
of the world at the head their armi,s-
he, from his omnipotencc. feared this un-
known youth. who disputed with him the
possession of bis dearest treasure.
Is it king ?" he exclaimed, hastily.
"No, father"
The heir of king. at least ?"
No, father"
"A grand duke ?"
No father"
"A son of rcigning family 2"
"No, father"
At each step in the descending scale
the Car stopped TO rec over breath.
A stranger ?"
Yes. father"
The Emperor fell back into an arm
chair, and hid his face in his hands. like
Agnmcmnon at the sacrifice of Iphigc-
nia.
Is he III Russia :" ho resumed with
an effort
Yes, father"
g. At St Petersburgh 2"
Yes. father"
And the voice of the young girl grew
faint
Where shall l see him 2" said the
Car, rising with threatening aspect.
Tomorrow at the review"
How thall l recognize him 2" de.
manded the Gar, with a stamp of his
foot
BY his green plume and bis black
steed."
"'Tis well 60, my daughter, and
pray God to have pity upon that man |"
The princess withdrew in fainting
condition, and the Emperor was soon lost
in thought
A childish caprice " he said at
length " am foolish to be disturbed at
it She shall forgot i, !" And his lips
dared not utter what his heart added
1t must be; for all my power would be
weaker than her tears !"
On the following day, at the review.
the Gar, whose eagle eye embraced all
at glance, sought and saw in his bat
talions nought else than green plume
and black charger He recognized in
him who wore the one and rode the 9th
er, a simple colonel of the Bavarian
Light Horse-Maximiian Joseph Eu-
gene Augustc Bcauharnois, the duke of
Leuchtenberg. youngest child of the
son of Josephine was for n brief
time Empress Of France-and Of An
guste Amelia daughter of Maximllian
JoscPb,of Bavaria, an admirable cavalier
in truth but as far inferior 10 Maria
Nicolewna as common soldier to an
Emperor.
Is it possible ?" said tho Car to
himself as he sent for the colonel, with
the design of dsmissing him to Munich
But at tue monont when be was about
10 crush him with n vord be stonnsd a.