The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1873-05-31

ed the count for his conduct towards /
her. #. 'n-
Having well regulated the affairs at
home, the lady dispatched two cavaliers
with a message to the court, asking
that it it was on her account he remain
ed away from home, to let her know,
and she would, in order to please him,
leave there. To which he returned for
answer, that she might act in that res
peet as she pleased, and 'that"I will |
return there to live with her when she I
will have this ring on her finger and q
son of mine in her arms.p
He priced the ring so highly, on ac- |
count of some virtue.he had been made |
to believe it possessed, that he never
parted with it. The messengers under
stood the hard condition contained in
the two things almost impossible, and
endeaTOred to induce him to change his
resolution, but finding their entreaties
could not prevail, returned to the cOUn-
tess and delivered the message. She was
much grieyed therBat, but considered
within herself if she might not be able
to accomplish those two things whereby
she might regain her husband. And
having formed her resolution she as
sembled the leading men of the prov
inee, explained to them in few and we'll
ordered words what she had done for
her love of the count, and what had re-
suited therefrOm; and finally, that she
did not intend by her residence there to
condemn the count to perpetual exile
but she was going to spend the remain
der OF her days in pilgrimage and works
of charity for the welfare of her soul,
and urged them to take charge of the
affairs of the province, and to inform
the count that she had departed with
the intention never to return. 4
Her hearers, while she spoke, were
moved to tears and bes0ught her to
change her resolution and remain with
them, but to no OpUrpOse-nothing could
change her.
Recommending them to God, she set
Off, in company with q cousin and one
ded with money and valuable jewels,
without knowing whittier she went,
and did not stop till she reached
Florence, where she prOyidentially OBJ
tanned lodgings with a widow lady, and
remained in the character of a pilgrim,
seeking tdings of her lord. It SO
happened that Bertram passed the
| house the next day on horseback at the
head of his company. The countess
| Immediately recognized him, but with
oEsJ appearing to do so inquired who
| H6 was. The widow answered that it
was q stranger, Count Bertram, cour-
teous and agreeable, and much beloved
| in that city, and, besides,' most des-
perately in love with an estimable
young lady opposite, the daughter of a
poor'widow., for which reason she had
never married, but remained at home
been for her mother she had already
responded to the wishes of the count.
The countess was gratified at this in
telligence and inquired into all the par
ticulars, till cOmprehending the situa-
tion fnlly she formed her plan and
made visit to the Widows house.
Every thing indicated extreme poverty.
The countess requested private in
terVieW with the widow, and then said
to her: 49, >.
"It seems to me, madam, that you
are no more faVOrites of fortune than
/ myself but if you are willing, you may
perhaps be able to benefit both yourself
and me.n .*
The widow answered that she would
like nothing better if she could do sc
honestly. The countess continued:
Z" need your confidence, and if you
betray me- yOn will spoil your affairs as
well as mine.H
"Certainly," said the lady, say tc
me what you please, I will not betray
YOU" ..E ..-.. -,
| The countess then told her story
who she was and what had occurred te
her MP to that mement. The widow
had heard something Of it before, and
gave full credit to her statement an6
sympathized with her misfortune. The
countess having finished her recital
proceeded: -...s':.- ...
Z. You have heard, among my othel
misf0Ftunes, what two things are ueces
sary if / hope to regain my husband
and know of no other person but your
self who can he'll me to them, if it bt
true, as | hear, that my husband il
greatly in love with your daughter"
To which the lady answered: | dc
not know If the count is in love with my
daughter, but he makes great profes
sions of it. But in what can aid yOl
to accomplish your wishes 7" .=
Madam replied the countess. 6"
will tell you. But first I desire to le
you know what win result to you il
, case you assist me. see that you
daughter is beautiful and of an age t.
marry, and from what / have heard
] and as it seems, your inability to endov
] her we'll retains her at home. intend
as a return for the service you will rem
/ der me, to give you Immediately sucl
q marriage portion as you may judg
: suitable.n .,
The lady, being in necessitous circum
t stances, was pleased with the offer, .bu
. delicateiy replied;
MADAM, tell me what I can do 70
you, and if, it be right, / will cheerful,
aid you, and you can do whatever yo1
} think proper
Then, !" said the countess, "you mus
/ send word to the count by some one il
whom you can confide, that you dallgh
ter is ready to return his love, If con
, WINGED that his professions are sincere
, but that she viii not trust him, unles
he viii send her the ring he constantl
+ wears, AID which she has heard b
prizes SO highly, which if he sends, yO
) viii give to me, and then you viii sen,
) him word that your daughter is read
| to receive him. You will have hin
Q come here secretly and let me receiv
him in your daughters room. Perhap
r it may please God to grant what is s
/ necessary to secure my union with m
| husband that having his ring on m
1 finger and a son Of his in my arms
may live with him as a wife ought t
2 live with her husband, and,yOu viii b
: the means of accomplishing it"
4 This seemed a great undertaking t
b the lady, who feared that some injuT
6 might result from it to her daughter
: but considering that it would be
: righteous act to enable the noble lad
I to regain her husband, and that til
4 end in view was praiseworthy; an
: confiding in her good and honest afRec
ton, she not only promised the counties
: to do what she wished, but in a fer
t days accomplished it SO that the coun
e tess obtained the ring, although til