The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1871-07-04

My First Evening in Stockholm.

My First Evening in stockholm.
We had arrived in Stockholm late one
hot summers evening in the year 1927,
and after spending the next morning in
unpacking and settling ourselves in our
hotel, VIC started towards five o'clock to
dine with Count W, with whom we
had some acquaintance during his stay in
England some months previously.
As our host had considerably promis-
ed, there was no party, only himself and
one of his unmarried sisters who presided
as hostess for the count himselfhad never
been married. We were therefore Il
"payi carre," but by no means a quiet
or stiff one, for we had many topics of
mutual interest to discuss. The count
had his old English friends to inquire
after, and we on our part had many ques-
tions to ask with reference to the new ac-
quaintances we hoped to make during
our stay in the Swedish capital. In the
course of our excellent little dinner
happened to remark on the beauty Of the
furniture of the suit of rooms, in the end
of one of which we were then sitting, and
my observation induced the count to say
as | had admired some, he would show
me all, if we would walk through them
after dinner. After dinner, however,
brought its own talk, and we sat round
the open window gazing into the twilight,
talking over our mutual acquaintance,
without again thinking of hosts offer.
One family in particular we touched
upon, known to us alan English family
to one member of which Count W
alluded when he said to me,
II should not have thought you could
have known her, for she lived abroad for
some years before death"
"Yes,' | replied, "but still | quite re-
member seeing her when | was about four.
teen; beautiful tall girl, with fine
figure, and melancholy dark eyes. There
was something unattractive to me about
her though, in spite of her beauty, for hel
manner was cold, almost repelling."
10 those with whom she was bu
little acquainted her manner was indeed
reserved but to her friends, her depth o
feeling and occasional demonstration o
ardent affection atoned amply for her ap
parent coldncss. Indeed, the exclusive
ness of her tastes, and the very few init
mate friends she cared to possess, madc
her an object of worship, almost, to thos'
few. or whom" he added, 81 wa
one."
"You knew her well, them" | asked
ultimately" he answered, "both be
fore and after her marriage"
81 have heard | said, with som
hesitation, for | was uncertain how far
might venture with him on the subject
"that her married life was not yer
/ happy one .
deep feeling, "she suffered bitterly, an
, undeservedly. Never was there mol
$ virtuous being, in reality, though appea
: ances were against her; and even had 81
d not been pure as she was, her disappon
j ed, sorrowing life would surely have ato'
|. ed for much'
a was becoming deeply interested, al
d was meditating on how could draw o
. from the Count more of this melancho
e history, over which there had alive
e hung veil of mystery, when, to my d
k appointment, he said.
i "But | have forgotten to claim yo'
promise you said you would honor l
d ~ by looking through my rooms. You W
come, will you not ?"
\ Conceiving that he wished to termni
j Il conversation which was perhaps pain
am to him, | at once rose, and followed h
of as he led us from the salon, and throu
nd sort of small vestibule, to the door
,c- a room.
in Here he stopped, aud turning to
IA, with slight smile. he said, Il am abb
lO a. to make a strange request Will
it look at my bedroom ~
with pleasure" said, smiling all
3A and we followed him into his bed-roc
the A plainly furnished, yet comtorta
all apartment, with two windows,a bed tab
;ns TSs chairs, and the one door only by VIII
we had entered.
"Now," said he again, 81 have sec'
. request to make-stranger, you will tn
in than the first. Will you oblige me
sitting for one moment in the chair beS
lt Pu- the heap of the bed Thank you"
th, said, as | did so. 81 have reason
ties asking you to sit in that particular ch
IA N which you will appreciate when you h
81 had the kindness to listen to st
} which | propose telling you, if you h
- the patience to hear it, But first let
70 return to our chairs in the Saion."
b Again settled as comfortably as bei
= close to the open windows, for the even
&C was hot and sultry, Count W be
= his story, which | will relate as nearl.
-; | can remember it in his own words
I'VE were speaking just now of j.
@ A, aud you asked me if | knew
% She was one of my dearest friends, al
s. was ever proud of the warm affect
8 confidence, and sympathy which exi
= between us. She lived great
= abroad with her parents, and her sii
- and rarely visited England, though
wi) did SO the year Of her ill-fated marri