Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-01-15
AnIn.ervi.w with Mile Pearl.

An Interview with Mile Pearl.
Correspondence Of the London telegraph
As the narratives given by the French
Journals OF the attempted suicide of NJ.
Alexandra Duval are derived from the
statements of the attendants who were
present in Cora Pearls house, and from
what the Commissioners Of Police have
seen lit to make known, the story, as told
by Cora Pearl herself, cannot fail to be
interesting. After passing through the
lofty door of her house, in the Rue
ChailIot, the visitor finds on the right a
glass door leading to the vestibule, which
is tastefully decorated with mirrors and
Oriental plants. AT the bottom OF
princely flight Of stairs on the left there
is the lodge, which communicates with the
interior by means ofan electric bell and a
speaking tube. On ascending, the steps
are found to be luxuriously carpeted, and
one passes trophies, armory, skins OF
wild beasts, and groups of statuary,
which are reflected by mirrors, and pro-
duce splendid effect. The second land
ing, where the drawing-room is reached,
is deliberately and tastefully fitted with
gigantic sheets of plate glass, framed in
flowing curtains. The drawing-roomi
which is long and lofty, is furnishe with
sofa chairs Of pinkish gray, and has an
ebony table inlaid with ivory and mother
of-pearl. On a raised Japanese tea-chest
there is a small bust of the Prince
Imperial. Works of art and flowers are
scattered about in happy profusion. The
first words Of Cora Pearl to her visitor
were, Oh, am 50 glad to see an Eng
Iishman; the French papers want to
make me out such an infamous charac-
ter" Here Cora fell into an arm char,
and burst into tears. She wore white
dress trimmed with white lace, and hav-
ing pink ribbons; and dark green
sailor knot set off to advantage her
bushy head Of pale golden hair, which
was parted on one side and held back
from the forehead by small
sortoise.shell comb. When she reeoy-
cred sufficiently to speak, her hands
dropped down by her side. The effect of
the late shocking occurrence could be
seen in the jaded, haggard, wild appear
ance of her features and colorless
cheeks. Her sunken eyes glared sui
lenly as she said: They talk of sending
me out of the country; but what has
happened to me which would not happen
to any other woman under similar cir
cumstances? Suppose you said you
wanted to live with me, and declined
your offer. should ] be TO blame if you
shot yourself2 II is not true that |
wanted to get rid of NJ. Duval because
he had NO money left. | have money
enough for bin if be has not enough for
me; and if had thought for moment
that he seriously intended to shoot him
self / would have kept him here much
longer. The truth is that during the ten
months have known him, he has con-
stantly implored me to marry him.
Now. as marriage is not the thing for
me, still less for him, | have always
refused him; and, as my refusal only
made him more obstinate, | resolved to
cut matters short by telling him that,
although we should remain good friends,
all must be at an end between us. He
would not believe me, and said that if |
left him be would kill himself, making
use Of such passionate expressions as
men employ on those occasions. After
ward he forced his way two or three
times into the house, and he always
found me frmer-harder, if you like.
When he came for me the last time, on
Wednesday evening, there was no hor-
rible scene, as was falsely stated by the
Figaro. He simply said. Then is
everything at an end between us2 Do
you refuse to see me again2 / replied,
Yes, everything is at an end between
us. He then walked out of his room
into my bedroom, and about a minute
afterward my maid found him lying on
the floor. Blood was flowing from his
side, and we thought he had stabbed
himself, as nobody had heard any report.
The pistol, however, was found under
him. The very hrst thing / did,
after seeing the doctor, was to send
for his mother, who at first refused
TO come. II was not until / had sent
ten messages and a priest to her that
she consented to come into my house,
whence her son neither would nor could
be removed. Before coming to me he
had written several letters-one being
addressed 10 the Commissioner Of Police
lin which he stated that after mature
reflection be had resolved to shoot him
self Ifhe did so in my house, it was be-
cause in case he should not kill himself
clean this was Clara's own express
sion-he would not be left 10 die ike a
dog In his mothers house. The truth
Of the matter is. she continued the
poor boy wanted 10 end his life as much
because he had no home as because l
refused 10 become his wife. When his
father died, bis mother soon afterward
married one Of her former husbands EN-
ployes. NJ. Dauriaul, who then had moth
ing but bis salary Of 1000 francs. The
stepfather could not bear the sight Of
poor D8val, and his mother left him at
last without any allowance, and so
forced him 10 get into debt. Nov they
want 70 maze out that i ruined him, and
hope 10 make me responsible for the life
Of the son and the loss Of the property
they have mismanaged. L is not true
that Duval gave ne this house o. the
house 10 the county. They were gwen
TO me Eve year, ago BY Prince NaPo-
leon. is was not the money hat BE
spent before ] knew him. In TACT be
never Allowed me 10 kuow bow mach be