The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-09-10

parent, and she resolutely expressed her aver
sion to the proposed alliance, regarding Napo-
leon as the direst foe of her native Germany.
while at the same time she felt her maiden dig
nifty deeply offended at the thought of being
espoused to man who, in her estimation, was
already married to another. Vain, however,
were all her remonstrances. She vas COMPEL
ed to bow beneath the iron will of Napoleon
the Great, with whom her father was at this
time closely allied and before many months
had elapsed, che found herself welded BY proxy
to jerome, King of Westphalis, and had enter
ed the confines of France as the acknowledged
sister Of its Imperial ruler.
She was obliged, in compliance with court
etiquette, to part on the frontiers with all her
German attendants, and to advance alone in a
foreign country, surrounded indeed BY bril-
liant retinue, but with no familiar face to meet
her saddened gaze; no sweet sound of home
voices to soothe the bitter feelings of her heart.
With the Characteristic frmness of her disno-
sition, however, she gathered all her courage
TO meet the trying circumstances of her lot, and
seemed resolved that no telltale glance should
betrsy the hidden conflict Of her heart. As she
drew near to Paris, the whole current of her
being seemed to be changed; the usual kindli
ness OF her manner became petrified into a
proud and frigid bearing; and while she was
studiously courteous to her attendants, her evil
dent constraint gave disagreeable expression
to her countenance.
1t was on the 10th Of August, 1907. that
at an early hour of the day, she found herself
almost In sight of Paris; but it being Napo
Icons pleasure that she should not enter bis
capital until evening, she was conducted by his
order to Rainey-a charming country residence.
once the abode of royalty, but now the posses
sion OF Junot, Due PAbrantes, whose wife was
commanded to receive the Princess with all the
honor due to her elevated rank. The Duchess
received her en- demi toilette de co,lr on the
grand periStyte Of the chateau, and conducted
ner TO her own apartments, where repast of
the most costly description was prepared for
ner refreshment. She courteously insisted on
Madame q brantes and her friends partakinO
with her OF breakfast; and the animation with
which she talked might have bespoken a mind
contented with its lot but that the rapid changes
In her countenance revealed only too clearly
the inward conflict of her heart. At one mo-
ment, her features were suffused with the deem
est crimson, and at another they became livid
with deadly psllor.
The afternoon was filled up with drive
through the forest of BOndv, during which the
Princess still exerted herself to appear pIeaaad
with the efforts made for her amusement. Next
came the grand affair of her toilet, which seem.
ed to Madame d'Abrantes a matter of the Mt
most Importance at this critical moment of the
Frncesss life. She anxiously awaited her an
pearance In the saloon before dinner. What
was her dismay on beholding the royal bride
enter the apartment, clad in a STYLE of old fash
Toned msgnihcence that might Rave suited her
grandmother, but which was ill-be6ttipo the
court of the Tuileries in 1907 The material
was blush moire-at that time quite out of
date-eut up into scanty narrow frock, with
short round queue, exactly resembling a
nesver tail; the sleeves very narrow and verv
nat looking as 1t her arms had been squeezed
into them; and then the shoes pointed. as if
they had heen made SOME centuries ago. Around
her neck hung two rows of pearls, from whence
was suspended miniature of Jerome so cluu-
SHY set that 1t swung about at each movement
ii fH1 pie 81 an antique costume. the appear.
ance OF the Princess was pleasing and attract.
i've. She is described to us as "of a fair and
fresh complexion her beautiful light hair and
blue eyes harmonizing well with the graceful
and dlgnihed turn of her head. and she entered
the apartment with as much princely self posses
sion as If she had been attired under the direc-
ton of the Imperial cOife1r and rnoidiste-per-
sonsges of such importance as to be remember
ed even now, under the names of Charbonnier
and Leroy"
Before dinner was announced, GATHERINGS
agitation became so evident to her hostess that
the latter ventured to inquire whether aught
had occurred to disturb her royal highness.
Catherine, in reply, expressed her wish to be
informed few moments before ,Terome's arri-
val, so that she might be prepared to meet him.
This was promised and while the Princess
thanked Madame d 'Abrantes for her kind readi-
ness to obhge her, the burning bushes on her
cheek revealed no pleasing emotion, but the
passionate pain of an indignant Woman's
heart"
The dinner" Madame d'Abrantes writes.
was dull, and even mournful. The Princess
was restless and agitated. Having asked her
twice which she would prefer, taking coffee and
ice in the park, or in the grand saloon, she
seemed suddenly to recollect berself, and look
ing at me as if she scarcely understood the pur
port of my question, replied
Just as you please
1--WE quilted table at alfpast six, and, feel
ing anxious to satisfy the Princess's wishes. I
went to inquire whether there was any symp-
tom OF Jerome's approach. Just at this mo-
ment, cloud of dust became visible on the
road from Paris, and several Carriages were
seen to enter the popular avenue. fastened
to inform the Princess that in few minutes
the Prince would make his appearance. With
faint attempt to smile, she thanked me for
my kindness but her appearance really alarm
ed me; for, In moment, her whole counte-
nance became of deep purple hue, which was
Immediately succeeded by the cold, blanched
color of death. She seemed, however to sum-
mon all her resolution, and, rising from her
seat, advanced, with one her ladiesin.waiting,
to the grand saloon, to await the Princes arri-
val. This apartment communicates at either
end with the music saloon and billiard room,
from both of which it is separated only by pit
lars, 80 that we who were assembled in the bill
lard room could see all that passed in the CEN
trail saloon.
Catherine of Gutenberg seated herselfn near
the chimney, having by her side an armchair.
intended for the Prince. The door of the music
saloon opened, and Jerome entered followed by
the officers of his household, who remained in
the outer chamber, while the Prince advanced
alone into the saloon where Catherine awaited
him. She rose up, advanced a step or two
towards him, and saluted him with much grace
and dignity. AS for Jerome, his aspect was
that of boor, who looked as if he had come
there because he was ordered to do So He ap-
preached the Princess with an air Of bruSQueris
and Dadldise.
"After few words had been exchanged be-
tween them, she pointed to the chair near her
and brief conversation ensued about her
Journey. Before long, Jerome rose up, and,
in the tone and style of a bourgeois, said to
her:
"'My brother is expecting as. / do not wish
to delay the pleasure he will have in welcoming
you as his sister.
"The Princess smiled, and bowed acuuies-
cence; but scarcely had Jerome Withdrawn
from her presence, when she tainted away. We
carried her to the open window, and bathed her
temples with Eau de Cologne. In a few mo-