Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-01-23
THE STORY OF ALEXIS.
His ROmance---The Secret lIarriaRe---The
EmperOr's Wrath---NO Settlement of the
Affair.

1t is known that one reason why the
Grand Duke Alexis of Russia was sent to
the United States was on account of
love affair of the young man. 1t seems,
according to a correspondent, that among
tho attendants of Her Majesty the EN-
press there was pretty and attractive
girl, the daughter of high official who
was a member of the Council of Empire
She was attached to the imperial house
hold and lived in the palace Alexis fell
in love with her-fell in love over head
and ears, which was very wrong for a
Grand Duke. He declared his passion
and found it reciprocated, and with the
headstrong imprudence of youth, he pro-
posed to elope with her and be married.
She, poor girl, did not weigh the conse-
quences, and probably was not aware
what mess she would make by accept
ing his offer. One day while the court
was at Moscow the twain met by appoint
ment, sought priest, and We're united.
The marriage was kept secret for two or
three months, but marriage, like murder,
will out, and this case proved no excep-
ton to the rule. When it became known
there was a scene such as does not often
happen. Alexis was talked to in very
plain, old-fashioned way. It was deter
mined to send him ON long journey in
the hope of curing him of his love, and
SO he was started on the voyage that
brought him to America, and took him
home by way of Japan and Siberia
Mrs Alexis was sent out of the empire
by special train, and the eye of the
police was not taken from her until she
was safe over the frontier. The priest
who performed the ceremony was packed
off to Siberia in spite of his protest that
he didn't know the parties, and that he
married them just as he would have mar
ried any other couple.
The laws Of Russia very stupidity do
not permit divorce, and when you
marry here you have no hope of release
from your trouble, except by the inter-
yention of the old gentleman with the
hour-glass and moving machine. In a
case like this you can get around it by
an imperial decree, but even that can
not be done without the disappearance
and supposed death of one of the
parties. Last winter they tried to fix up
the business, and the undertaking was
made by no less parsonage than Count
Shouvaloff. The count has the reputa-
ton of never failing in any difficult and
delicate piece of diplomacy that he takes
in hand, and in the present instance he
was confident of success. He went and
he returned, and since his return he has
not been in favor as he was.
Mrs. Alexis was stopping at one of the
hotels on the Quai du Mont Blanc in
Geneva, and one day card bearing the
name of Russian nobleman whom she
did not know was sent to her room. In
order to preserve an inc0g'1itO the count
travelled nnder one of his inferior titles,
and it was with this name that he pre-
sented himself. She descended to the
parlor to see the stranger, and at once
recognized the redoubtable count, hay
ing become familiar with his face and its
huge mustache at court. After the
usual commonplaces the count proceed
ed to business, and managed it with al
the skill of which he was possessed.
1t was proposed that she should re
nounce all claim to the hand of Alexis
should change her name and disappear
and let the places that had known he
know her no more forever. In return
for this trifing and perfectly feasible ser
vice she would receive 100000 rouble
down and an annuity of $4,000 roubles
which would be continued to her child il
case the latter survived her.
The count used all the arguments a
his command, and there were plenty o
them, but to no purpose. The womal
was obstinate, and spurned the offer will
an air of Indignation worthy of tragi
actress. "But remember" said th,
count, "you can never see Alexis again
you will not be allowed to return to Rus
sia, and his movements will be SO ar
ranged that a meeting will be impossi
bic. You have learned by this time tina
even were the marriage acknowledged b,
E the emperor you could never appear a
court, or receive the imperial recogni
ton. If you love Alexis, release hin
from the consequences of his youthful
passion, and enable him to fill the posi-
ton which belongs to him.
But she would do nothing of the sort
not even when she was told that sh
could name the financial terms and re
, ceive the money when and where sh
wished. She loved Alexis and had mar
: ried him, and would remain his wife un
; til death. The interview lasted coupl
of hours, and was unsuccessful. Mex
day the diplomat called again, but sh
) would not see him, and after trying tn
intercession of Russian lady of high pc
sition who happened there in Geneva, h
gave up the effort and took the train 70
Paris.
And so the matter stands. 1t has bee
limited that an effort was made q fey
0 months ago to coax her and her chill
: back to Russia SO that they could b
V quietly secluded from the world, but
g am inclined to doubt it. A hundre'
+ years ago such proceeding would hay
t been en- regIe, but times have changed
0 and, however much this woman's deaf