Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-03-16
AN IMPERIAL SCANDAL.


AN IMPERIAL SCANDAL.
A matrimonial scandal is now agltating the
roya circles of Europe, and, although despe-
rate efforts have been made to hush up the
affair, it is quite certain that married princess
the sister OF an empress and at one time des-
tined herself to Wear the royal crown, has
eloped, and is now believed to be in this couu-
try This princess is no other than the Ouch
ess Sophia Of Alencou, youngest sister OF the
impress Elizabeth of Austria, and wife OF the
grandson of the late King Louis PHILIPPE Of
France. The Duchess Was married to
the Duke of Alencon suddenly 1869. She was
then great beauty, like her five elder SISTERS,
one of whom is the charming ex Queen Mary
of Naples; but, unlike her sisters ner reputa
ton, Notwithstanding her youthtulness, was by
DO means untarnished, and it was a matter OF
surprise that the Orleans family should have
admitted into its bosom princess whom the
King Of Bavaria, Louis the Second, had lndlg-
manly repudiated, atler his wedding day with
her had already been appointed Louis became
engaged to the Princess Sophia, the youngest
daughter of bis uncle, the Duke OF Bavaria. 10
1861. She was then but sixteen. The pros.
pect of wearing so soou royal crown seemed
TO iufatuate her, She rode about the country
as if she we're already queen, and asked all be-
trothed couples whom she met Oh her perl
grinations to postpone their wedding until the
day of her own puptials. With lavish hands
she distributed photographs OF her pretty
person. These were made by Hautsteogei,
of Munich. HaufsteDgel was an exceedingly
handsome man; he had travelled all over
the world, and was a most fascinating con-
versationalist The upshot of the frequent iu-
terviews between him and the young princess
was that sue fell in love with hlm, and, 1t Is said,
met him frequently in Munich ln the disguise
of servant glrl. Their intimacy increased to
such degree that the pri1cess prevailed upon
her father to sell Hauistengle small villa called
the Fisherman Castle, at 20 great distance
,op the summer of 1868 Haulsteugel could be
near her. Under the pre,ext of having more
photographs of herself, tho princess visited
Hautstengel daily at his new villa, aud hardly
ever returned before very late hour. 1t Is
true she was always accompanied by her
brother, but the latter, who has since become
confirmed drunkard, was regularly given so
much wine by the photographer that he always
came home in disgusting condition of intoxi
cation.
Meanwhile people had commenced talking
about the liaison, and caricatures had appeared
iu Munich. Louis, however, did not hear of
the scandal. He loved his pretty cousin and
6uaIly ordered that preparations for the we'd
ding should be made. The day was fixed,
when gossiping lady at the Court of Munich
said one day TO the king s adjutant Count Holo-
sten
"Would it not be better if the Princess
Souha we're admonished to be little more
clfcumspect IN her love aUalr with EuWaro
Haufsteugel?"
CouDt Holostein DOT daring to speak OF 1t to the
king himself, told his brother Ohio, who, in turn
Informed his mother, the Queen Dowager. The
latter became excited, anu, although the hour
was past midnight, she drove to the palace OF
Sophia father and informed the latter that
the match between her son and his daughter
was broken off, and that the princess must
leave Bavaria. King Louis, upon hearing how
bis 6ance had been cutting up, was no less in-
dignant. Haufstengel was also asked to leave
Munich, but he de6ed the court. The rupture
between the King and the Princess created a
profound sensation throughout Bavaria, and,
imperfectly as the facts were known, many
thought the King had Tilted Sophia without
cause 90 the other hand, rumors were circu
lated about the princess. Certain it was that
her relatives treated her with i'll disguised
aversion. She went with dueuua to London,
and there the Duke of Alencon, an Orleans
prince, fell in love with her. They we're mar
rried shortly afterwards. but their welded life
became very unhappy owing to the new facts
which came to the ears Of the husband about
his wife's antecedents, on one side, and owing |
to Sophia's still continuing TO be infatuated in |
regard to her photographing lover. Hautsteu-
gel frequently visited Eogland, and is said to
nave met her on those occasions. The scandal
became so great that the other members OF |
the Orleans family would DOT allow the Priu- |
cess Sophia to accompany them 10 1871 to |
France, and her husband almost kept her as a
prisoner the last few years. About three months
ago Haulstengel came again to England, aud
notwith thstsudiug the Dukes vigilance had re-
peated Interviews With the Duchess. Early in
December the TWO lovers disappeared from Fog |
land, to the great chagrin of their families, and
they could not be traced to any part of the con
tinent. Hauistengel has not since returned TO |
Munich, aud the general belief is tha, he and |
the Duchess OF Alencon have fed to the Uoited |
States. The Duchess is still a very charming, |
graceful woman. She speaks half dozen Ian. |
guages Auenty, and may be readily mistaken |
for French lady. She is tall aud slender, and |
her mapuers are most engaging. The distress
of the Empress of Austria, because Of Sophia |
misconduct, is said TO be very great.
TXECUTRIx'S NOTlCE-The undersign-
o. ed having duly qualified before the Corpo-
r.,;on Horrf of bo citv of Alexandria. Va. as