The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1857-02-11
A Story of Sweden

tant faith, assembled the throne of her ancestors
at very early age. She was woman of con-
siderable talents, but more remarkable energy
OF character, and an indonilabe wl:tqualities
which she inherited from her father, and which
her position, as the uncontrolled head of an al
mostabsoute monarchy, nursed into more than
masculine strength. Her wfulness always dis
played itself in rash, though sometimes in a
generous way; and in one OF her fits of the lat
ter kind ere she advanced far in life, she for
mally resigned her crown, for the good, as she
imagined, Of her people. The sacrifice was
soon repented Of but too late for retreval, and
she spent her latter days in retirement 1t was
| this extraordinary woman's leading wish, when
on her throne, to be compared to Elizabeth of
England, and she initiated that princess even
in her cold hearted and unworthy coquetries
Hereby hangs the tale we have now to tell:
The young queen Of Sweden gave magnif
lcent fete or masquerade in her palace at Stock
holm; this fee had peculiar character, and
one which doubled its splendor and attractions,
while exhibiting at the same time the ruling fol
bic of the heroine of the north. Christina wish
ed, for one night, to have the pleasure of open
ly and expressly bearing the character of the
English princess, and to resusctate around her
all that was brilliant and distinguished at the
court of her model. For this purpose she had
given orders that her own courtiers should as
sumo for the time the characters of the various
men Of note in Elizabeth's reign, and in par
ticular cases, she conferred on individuals the
honor OF assigning to them the parts they were
to play; this was rather a delicate point, it must
be remembered; for such parts as Essex and
Leicester had significance attached to them
which could not escape remark. Anyo states
man might play Bureigh, as easily as is done
in Mr.. PuH's famous drama, but no common
man burst assume the character of either of the
two noblemen before mentioned. Amodest as
pirant for royal favor, however, might venture
on the ga,b of Raleigh, and more than one
young courier did appear in the guse of sir
/ Walter on this brilliant evening. The Swed-
ish queen was delighted with the result of her
project. A strict etiquette had been establish
ed for the regulation Of custume, and in order
to give better rule of guidance in this partic-
ular, Christina had been at the pains to send
for portraits of all the principal personages to
be represented. Thus the versimilitade of the
scene was perfect.
Among the individuals who attracted most
interest on this occasion, by their appearance
and manners were young cavalier and an ele
giant woman, who kept much beside one anoth
er during the evening. They were both dis
tinguIshed for the high bread ease and grace of
their movements, and this circumstance alone,
independently of the language in which they
spoke TO each other, might have served to mark
them as foreigners They were both, indeed,
from France. They seemed to be on the most
confidential terms; but there was one notable
point OF discrepancy apparent between them
The lady seemed willing and even desrous to
show herself openly in the crowd, whereas her
companion evidently sought y keep himself as
much as possible out of the common eye, and,
in particular, to avoid the notice Of the queen,
as she moved from place to place in the spIen
did assembly. Ultimately the young cavalier
appeared to succeed insbending his companion
to his wishes on this subje and the pair re-
tired to the recess of one of the lofty windows,
where they commenced an animated conversa-
ton, though in low tones. Young and light
hearted, and possessing the spirited tempera-
ment ot1helr common country, with a full share
Of its turn for rsiIlery, they scanned from their
secluded nook the whole of the vast assembly,
and subjected every one who caught their eye
to a witty but good humored review.
"Ah,' said the lady, "look at that little Lei
cester; what think you of hlm?'
Poor fellow! he does not see that the queen
wished to make a carlicature Of him. by put
ting him in such a garb!' said the gentleman
~ return.
Lord Bu,leigh's s representative continued
the lady, "has got the wig at least, but moth
ing more.''
''And see," rejoned her companion, chow
sir Christopher Hatton bears himself. The
English cavalier, it is said could dance well,
but his personator is pleased to make himself
a walking minuet.''
In such style did the cavalier and the la
dy chat for one another's amusement in the
window recess. At last, the lady, with an ap-
pearance Of nonchalance, but with tone Of
voice that betrayed some deeper interest in the
matter, said to her companion: s~"o"7 IF ~s
"Apropos-the queen herself-how do you
like her?'' g .a. .....#. ... e.. ..- .. ..-
The queen!' replied the cavalier in low
voice, casting around him a troubled glance.
YES" continued the lady, ''do you think
she resembles Elizabeth of EngIand?"
"Betwe cen us just as much as Madame Lau-
ra resembles Maria Theresa of France" was
the youths answer. ." .
AS the last words left his lips, he grew dead
ly pale. His companion alone seemed 10 enjoy
the remark. "Admirable," cried she, and sly
nalised her sense Of the joke, which was con
veyed to her by the words, by a hearty laugh.
But her mirth received sudden check, as
her eye fell on the parsonage who now stood
in front Of her and her companion. ...... ..;...
WHO is this Madame Laura?" said the qncen
Christina, for it was she herself who appeared
before the cavalier and the lady, having over
heard all that had passed ...a ...~~.} ia
At this question, the cavalier, previously
much agitated, was compelled to lean on the
window. But he recovered himself sufficiently
to reply, though with an altered and faltering
voice TO the queens interroyatory: ....t
Madame Laura, please your majesty, is
Partisan lady, who has the honor to resemble
the queen of France-both in dignity Of man
ners and beauty, ,f4sgG ,Haaas s#s 1a.ss.z
Christina looked on the speaker with an air
Of doubt and iDdecison. Count d 'Harcourt,"
said she, after pause, biting her lips at the
same time, ethis is trait of French gaantry
for which the queensof Sweden mayithank YOU
at some future period 70 lsyea-es ID Ills
Nodding slightly and haughtiIy to the counts
fair comDap;on Christina then turned away