Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-03-31
Imperial TOIIettes--. A WOman's Re.
VenEo,

/ Imperial TOtlettess-s A WOman'B Re-
veDge.
From the Court Journal.
The Princess Clotilde, at Prince Nspo-
Icons ball, attired as usual, without the
| slightest pretensions to extravaganza Of
fashion, yet looked the most aristocrRtic
grande dame of the whole company. Her
dress was of plain pink tulle, the skirt full
trimmed with the rich gsrlands Of bright
green leaves. None of the jewels belong
ing TO the Italian treasures, about which
so much nonsense has been uttered but
her neck was adorned with eInerslds big
IS the staring eye-bAlls of the green-eyed
monster, while her brow was encircled with
q simple wreath Of green leaves, whic b,
casting mysterious shadow over her fea-
lures, added to the melancholy expression
they always bear.
The Empress was standing near, her
sweetly soft style of beauty contrasting
strongly with the somewhat hard and un-
finished contour so characteristic of the
Gsrignans. Her Msjety's dress was of
ses- green tulle, pulled, looped, and fringed
with diamonds. The exact concordance of
the shade of green and pink adopted for
the two dresses was observed by the artist
connOisseurs to be 80 remarkable that it
was agreed amongst them that the contH-
TiereS must have conferred together before
hand.
One Of our great portrait painters was
observed TO contemplate the amslgamation
Of tone and color with the greatest inter
est. "You are thinking of picture" said
a corfTere, rousing him from his reVerie by
q gentle tap on the shoulder. "No, in
deed; was thinking of the Empress Jo-
sephine." "Ah yes-young days, young
dsysP returned the other, msliciously.
"POoh, pooh was jus. then at st. Cloud,
and before me was standing the lovely Jo-
sephine, and the still more beautiful Prin-
cess Pauline. The pair of beauties could
never agree. The reception was given by
order of the Emperor, for the express pur-
pose Of a recognition of reconciliation be-
tween them being acknowledged.
"The Princess Paulines entrance caused
an immense sensation, and we all pressed
forward to view the effect produced on the
Empress. The latter, with imperial grace,
smiling sweetIy, rose to lead her rival to a
seat. The two ladies shared equally the
admiration of the company IS they stood
side by side; but presently, when seated,
the beauty Of the Princess seemed sudden
ly to fade swsy-to grow dingy as it were
her skin to assume q yellow aspect, and
her hair, arranged with tUIquoises and blue
ribbons, TO lose its lustre. To add to the
evil effect, the Princess herself began to
grow fretful, and TO look around with snx-
iety, and finally, as if overcome by depres-
sion, she retired, out Of humor with herself
and all besides.
"The next day, at the sitting, the Empress
inquired what thought of Paulins's beau
ty. "Splendid when standing" said
dsubing away at my background with the
greatest agitation; but she should never
sit down when her dress is Of light blue
sstin-st least in green velvet fGaSteailI'
Thereupon TO hide the confusion occasioned
by the consciousness of my own imperti-
nence, brushed away more vslisntly than
ever, dodging behind my canvass to await
the reprimand 1 felt sure was coming.
"But s silvery laugh, like the pesrly
tinkliDg OF the waterfall visible from the
window of the apartment wherein we
were seated, wss the first signal given
that my observation had been understood.
Al ces cogltins d artiStes exclaimed Her
Msjesty, her eyes glistening with fun and
mischief. tAnd so you found me outP It
was harmless womsn's vengeance but
1 could not help thinking that the Prin-
cess would have preferred an open duel
with swords or pistol to the frighttul
punishment she had undergone"