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


pered hints, that took form and shape
gradually-and which did not escape
the eagle observation of the Car there
fore it was with more authority of man.
ner than with his first discussion with
his son, that he commanded him to pre-.
pare for tour into Germany, for the
express purpose of selecting his future
consort.
Three years passed away, and the
short and brilliant reign of Natalie Po-
lensky had been almost forgotten in the
triumphs of later and more fortunate
beauties the Grand Duke Alexander
had recovered his usual health and spir-
its, and even the likelihood Of his ap.
preaching nuptials with the Princess
Mary of Darmstadt, began to be cur
rently reported.
In the meantime, Natalie had grad
ually faded away like flower trans
planted TO some uncongenial soil, and
with the heat of the MONDAY sun pour
ing down unsheltered upon its head
She had altered day by day, wasting
and fretting away to pale, delicate and
spiritless girl. Her medical men pro-
nounced her illness to be decline; there
seemed not so much of actual disease,
as utter prosfration of strength, and an
overwhelming lassitude and langour,
from which nothing could arouse her
and they suggested that, as last re-
source, revisiting her native lanI might
be beneficial, indeed it seemed to offer
the only hope of recovery.
Then, for the first time, the Princess
Gagarine ventured to forward petition
to the Emperor, stating her sisters case,
and soliciting most humbly permission to
return to Russia.
On the first presentation of TIE re-
quest, it was most peremploriIy refused !;
but the Empress hearing how pale, and
feeble, and altered her old favorile had
become, inteffered with such success,
that not only were they recalled to the
capital, but on the first anniversary, af-
ter their return, of The day of St. Nicho-
las, their names appeared among those
honored by an invitation to the court
ball.
On that evening, let US enter the
boudoir of the Princess an houl or two
before the time appointed for their at
tendance. 1t was the first time Natalie
had ventured TO appear in public :. and
on this occasion she lay back on her sofa,
propped up with pillows, so weak and
that the most uninierested
spectator would have dreaded for her
the excitement and fatigue of such an
exertion. But this is needless to say
that neither of them for a moment hesi-
tated to obey the fattering command
which summoned them once more within
the orbit ofthe court. l have said Nata-
lie lay resting quietly on her sofa the
Princess sat opposite her, buried in
thought, anxious and nervous about the
fate of the evening. She did not speak
10 her, not daring to ask even how she
ielt, and far less venturing to make the
slightest allusion to pas: events. Indeed,
BY tacit consent the one topic had never
once been touched upon since they left
Russia.
There was strange contrast between
crimson velvet cushions and the white
transparent face, pale and pure, with
Every feature sharpened and refined by
Ter wasting and underlined illness. The
arge dark eyes looked larger than ever,
low that they seemed to usnrp more
han their due proportion of the face,
md thick masses Of dark hair fell loose
md disarranged round her shoulders
Sever hal her sister seen her look so
ouchingly beautiful.
Her dress for the evening, of white !,
ace, lay on a chair near her, and with it
he wreath of lilies of the valley, one of |
be comnouest of Russian wild-howers,
which she had selected to wear. She
ay back distracted, turning round and
Ound her thin finger simple little en-
meled ring she had worn night and day
Or the last three years-a ring she most
refused to take off, and which,
he confessed, had words engraved in
de of it which none but herself and the
liver knew of; but who that giyer was,
r what the motto, the princess could
ever ascertain. So they staid to the
Ist moment, Natalie nlurmurl lg TO her.
IF the refrain of little German song,
n especial favOrite of the Empress
n adieu, full of unshed tears. At last,
le Prince Gagarine entering, with some
.marks on the lateness of The hour,
'oke the spell of sorrowful recollections,
nd they rose 10 prepare for the court
all.
But under what different auspices did
icy again enter that splendid saloon?--
Iith what slow and faitering steps did
ley advance to pay their respects to
eir imperial hosts? The eyes of the
IMPRESS turned sadly away as Natalie
ithdrew from her presence; but while '