Washington sentinel., 1855-01-10
A story of the side Scenes.

We read in the Paris Steele: One of the
most attractive actresses of one Of our vaude.
vile theatres was lately seized with an ambi-
ton very common to her companions. Tired
of ephemeral triumphs and transient connec
tions, she dreamt OF MARRIAGE grand mar
riage, which would give her an aristocratic
title and solid fortune. Possessing consider
able attractions, she was not long in finding a
gentleman who suited her ideas. A young
Marquis presented himself, brilliant, elegant
having a good name, belonging to the pure
blood Of the Foubourg st. Germain, and per.
fectly imbued with the philosophy Of the day,
which consists in disdaining all preiudices
The Marquis was one Of those who are no,
alarmed at the report Of adventures, or at the
hundred and one names inscribed on the tab.
lets Of gallantry Of theatrical nymph. He
thought that true conjugal happiness might and
ought 10 be found with woman who had seen
much of life in a short time; he therefore set
forth his pretensions, and made honorable pro.
posals. ave will throw the veil Of marriage
over The past" nobly exclaimed the young
Marquis. The actress was prudent, and before
accepting his offer she called and made due
inquiries from the notary Of her suitor She
wished for nothing better than to be mar.
chioness, but she had made considerable saw
ings, and did not feel inclined to place them in
an opulent common fund The notary com.
pletely satisfied her that the Marquis had a
fine income OF eighty thousand francs a year,
free OF all encumbrances, and was completely
free from debt. She hesitated no longer, and
her hand was graciously accorded TO the noble
suitor, who declared himself to be the happiest
Of men, and expressed his wish that the mar
rage should take place very shortly q In the
first place, however, and before our marriage, .
said he to the actress, "there is a sacrifice
which my delicacy and my dignity demand
from you. can accept your past life, but not
the profits you have derived from it. will not
consent that you should bring me as your
dowry the tribute Of nations, nor that the
jewel.box Of my wife should be composed OF
the gifts Of crowd Of generous amateurs.
cannot see you adorned with the insignia OF
your former follies. Send back, therefore, your
diamonds, inscriptions Of rente, and other sc.
curities which yon may have. As to your fur
niture, sell it, and give the proceeds to the
poor ] wish you to be stripped Of all, like a
repentant Madeleine. You must owe 10 me
alone your fortune and your ornaments" The
pride of the gentleman was in1exibe on this
point, and the actress resigned herself to the
sacrifice for which she was to be so amply in
demni6ed by the title Of Marchioness, the So.
0OOf. year income of her husband, and the
promised splendor Of her wedding presents
She executed his wishes with good grace. The
furniture was lately sold for the benefit Of the
poor, and the jewels and scarcities returned to
her old friends who were not little aston.
ished at such an unlocked for restitution and
II is said that some Of the gentlemen, who had
almost ruined themselves with their prodigali.
ties, we're well satisfied at the circumstance.
All this was done, and there appeared to be
nothing to delay the marriage, when suddenly
the young Marquis disappeared without word
of intimation. Whether he yielded to the rep.
resentation of his family or his friends, or
whether the whole affair was for the purpose of
revenging himself on the actress, or playing
on joke on her, remains mystery. The
rage Of the duped and ruined actress may be
better imagined than described. II is said
that she IS about to commence legal proceed.
ings against her deceiver. This is what her
comrades recommendeto her, and what the Gu.
rious are in hopes Of