The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-07-24
An American Reauty at a
Ball in Russia.
The Cjrl-Vidow in a Mask-A Grand Duke
Picks Up the PEARL
A BUDE AWAKENING, SORROW AND EXILE.

PANIs. July 9, 1874.

ANA seldom before, even in the brilliant capital of
the Northern Caesars, had festival lights shone
over 80 mach beauty and renown. It was carn-
val Time, wnen pleasure is ealf-privileged TO take
wider license than usual, IN order TO prepare for
She terrible rlgors OF the orthodox Russian Lent,
during which folks must dine and sup upon lents
and salted cucumber. All the golden youth OF
Russia there, and all those elder men who
wear their years without becoming morose
anu Grabbed. Under the pretty dominoes
aud graceful masks which We're nutterIng
about ike the nrenies OF southern
summer night were many OF the great Court
ladies with, perhaps, here and there princess OF
the Imperial House OF Romanon; Tor, between
The present state OF manners and society in Russia
and that which existed In England during the
reign OF Charles H., there several points OF re-
semblance The conversation OF the rich and high
born Is astonishingiy free and they openly profess
Authoritarian principles on the subject OF mar
rage, divorce and kindred topics. Some OF the
women present. enjoying good positions and de
siraole reputation, had more than one hus band
hving on amicable terms in the same street and
a LADY, with a turn for practical Joking has been
known TO Join whist party, sitting calmly down
with no less than three gentlemen with whom she
had been united IN the bonds OF wedlock.
AN AMERICAN vIDow-yoUNG AND BEAUTIFUL.
Among the company present on this occasion
was an American girl OF extraordinary beauty.
she had not acquired 80 much experience IN
matrimony or chosen such variety or partners In
life as numberless respectable people at Peters
burg Moscow and Odessa; but, although she
was scarcely out OF her teens, she was a widow
and the rioald said she courtesar That is
TO say, II was alleged that she belonged 10 pro-
fession which Is every day growing larger, ana
winch has numbered women gifted and lovely
n Lady Hamilton, whom Loru Nelson with mis-
dying breath, bequeathed 20 his conntry's graft
tude; as Mrs. Jordan, who was a faithful wife in
Nil but name to William Nv. OF England; as
Adnenne Lecoureur, who gave glory TO
Marshal SAKE at the price OF her life; and
Rachel, who refused a crown. Tnis
cOuresan, II courtesan she were looked
~ fresh a blown flower ana was
full TO overnowlng Of youth and high spirits. SO
exqu!siteiy perfect a piece OF womanhood is sell
dom seen. she had dark hair in great profusion
and an imperial sort oil forehead, broad. open, and
white as ivory Her dark eyes flashed her long
Iashes ike black diamonds, and all agiow with
wit and kindness. The nose was OF that firm vet
seBcate aquiline which denotes courage and reso-
luton; the mouth was wondrousy fuil and soft;
the upper lip small and formed ike bow; her
teeth were as living pearls and her compile xion
dazziingy fair. Little feet small hands and taper
Apgers; a figure winch fairy might envy
Sprightly words and laughter, which fell on the
ear Ike music, complete an honest description OF
this American beauty the night she went TO
the masked ball at st. Petersburg
FEMALE PRIVILEGES WHEN UNDER A MASK
Now the great fun OF these assemblies is that
ladies are allowed by custom to make all sorts OF
advances to gentlemen, for they are masked and
concealed by their dominoes while men 20 IN
simple evening dress The orthodox thing for
LADY TO do. therefore, rs TO hx upon some gentle
man whom she wishes TO tease or 10 mystIfy and
TO tell him some incident OF his life which he
iancies profound secret, then 20 leave him
puzzled and pe wildered. The American widow was
LOOKING out Tor somebody wnom she knew m order
10 torment him in this way when she saw a group
Of her friends talking with stranger and after
listening to some fragments OF their conversation,
Ms women will, she suddenly pounced upon the
stranger and led him away. What she sand TO him
IL only known TO themselves, but wnen he Quilted
her that night he was spellboupd and fascinated.
ROMANTIC ACoUANTASCE WITH A PRINCE.
Wen he might be. There is no wit in this lower
world equal TO American wit; no humor so racy
and original When this Russian heard IL Tor the
FIRST time from lips sweet, no wonder that he
was enchanted. she spoke freely 10 him and
without reserve, thinking that he was merely
rome young count or petty prince; and as she
spoke she seemed drawn towards him by a subtle
sympathy in their characters she was quite
abashed wnen she found out that she had been
gossiping unceremoniously with the Grand Duke
Nicholas Constantinowicb nephew OF the Emperor
OF all the Russias.
They never parted afterwards for two years and
q half
THE CARS NEPHEW IN TRAINING
The young Grand Duke had good abilities and good
nature, but mis- education had been woully neg
lected The American woman taught him. formed
him into gentleman and raised him up to her own
intellectual standard which high. She was the
daughter Of Dr. Ely, a Protestant clergyman or |
Connecticut, man OF some distinction In science
AND ietters He was unfortunately for his belong I
1ngs, also great traveller: and II She who was
now the companion OF Russian Grand Duke had
gone wrong in early lie, it was because she had
been left too much to hot-tempered bigoted and
narrow minded mother who had taught the doc
trines OF passive obedience with thIck stick Her
daughter, however, had been well sehooled and
had learned latin, French and music so tnat she
was An excellent instructress to young man VINO
knew nothing.
LOVE AND A LOVE CONTRACT.
The G. and Duke loved her so intensely that ne
made her sign formal contract In which she
bound herself by solemn oath never to leave him
or to speak one word save In friendship, TO any
other mortal man. when he went
AWAY THE KHIvAN WAR
The road behind him was strewn with Cossack
spearmen bearing In hQt haste his messages to his
beloved and the telegraph wires between them
were never still. He was a brave soldier, and ne
tod her how be mad fought and conquered; how /
he had ridden through wild and morass, over moor
and mountain; how bis sword had cleaned in
many dangerous fight, Till the clash OF his victo- I
nous cymbals had been heard in the very fast
nesses OF the Kbivan robbers; ana then, with the /
hrst pIad shout OF triumph in his ears, he mad |
taken or his harness and was Fastening back TO
her.
WOMAN WORSHIP.
Upon her part her vanity had FIRST been fat
tered; her womaD's heart had been won by hand
some young man OF congehial tastes and temper,
hut gradually he had taken possession of her whole
soul me love which she bore him, kinded by his
kDightIy deeds In distant lands. his yalor his
aAnQer and his fame had