Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-04-16

more faithful devotion than these courtly
suitors seemed likely to bestow upon her.
I Her sister left undisturbed, and made no
, remonstrance on account of those many
) reflections perhaps she did not wish Sc
, soon TO relinquish the pleasure of her
society, or the share of popularity that
i. Natalie's success reflected upon herself.
In the meantime. as had been expected,
the younger sister was created maid Of
honor 10 her majesty and the first sep.
aration between them occurred when she
went with the court to spend the summer
season quietly at Peterhof, in the happy
domestic circle of her imperial mistress.
There, the attraction the empress had
: felt towards her from the very first RI
pened into warm interest for during
the many hours of quiet life, rendered
imperative by her feeble health, Nata-
lies beautiful voice and great musical
talents contributed much to cheer and
soothe her and in the humber occupa-
ton of reading aloud, the maid of honor
spent many hours of most pleasurable
retirement with the family of one she
learned TO love as friend, while she re-
vered and honored her as a mistress.
So passed the brief, bright summer
days at Peterhof. In the meantime,
people began to wonder why the heir
apparent of the throne did not marry =
His father more than once spoke 10 him
seriously Oh the duty that lay before him,
and questioned him respecting his feel
ings towards the various German prin-
cess whose family alone could be hon.
ored by his choice. The grand duke
answered lighly enough, that there was
plenty of time before him and with a
significant shrug Of the shoulders, that
made even his fathers face relax into a
smile. dismissed the topic.
By and by the empress also addressed
her son on the same subject, telling him
openly how anxious she felt about it,
He answered her as he had done his
father; but it is not easy to deceive a
mothers eye she well knew that this
assumed indifference veiled some deep
er feeling in her sons heart. She de-
termined to watch narrowly. Judge
then, of the mingled CONSERVATION and
pain with which she became convinced
her favorite Natalie was the object of his
affections, and when she could not but
believe that the feeling was warmly re-
ciprocated.
The Princess Gagarine was immedi-
ately commanded to private interview;
within, to her extreme surprise, the en-
press with heightened color and nervous
trembling of voice, accosted her and by
demanding abruptly what she knew
about her sisters audacious attachment.
The princess Of course denied all knowl q.
edge, all suspicion of the fact imputed
and endeavored to reassure the empress
by declaring that she must be mistaken;
but when she was dismissed, and could
question Natalie in private, she found
that such was by no means the case
In vain did she argue with her that it
was impossible the grand-duke should
really love her in vain represent to her
that he only assumed the appearance of
affection to amuse himself at her ex
pense, and urged upon her by every
consideration of pride, of self-respect,
and womanly feeling, TO rouse herself
from SO dangerous, SO fatal delusion.
70 all this, Natalie only made reply BY
confessing the most entire faith in her
lovers protestations. After prolonged |
and painful discussion, the princess
sought her husbands advice upon the
matter. He took it up most seriously,
and threw himself upon his sister in
laws compassion, imploring her, for all
their sakes, to combat and control her
unfortunate passion adding. "If once it
reach the ears of his majesty, we are all
ruined.'
Next day the princess besought an in
terview with her majesty, which was
Immediately granted; and throwing her.
self at the empress feet, she impIored
her to pardon what she called her guilty
negligence.in not having foreseen such a
possibility, and warned her sister against
yielding to it, declaring her own and her
husbands perfect innocence in other re-
spects. 4" Command us, madame, and
how gladly and implicitly shall you be
Obeyed 1 will watch over my unfor-
tuna-e sister night and day /; never shall
they meet again; never shall any mes
sages or correspondence pass between
them; only, entreat your majesty, keep
what has transpired secret from the !
emperor, or we are all lost"
The empress, Modified by the candor .
and submission, promised to think over
i, and see her again. Three days from
hat time, the Two sisters were on their
way to Italy, as the rumor ran, to cul- !
ivate to the utmost, the great musical I
alent of the younger lady. which had t
10 recommended her to her imperial !
mistress favor. In itself. this would ,