The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-01-13

BILE. except by the Intervention of the ole
gentleman with the hour-glass and moving
machine. In case like this you can gel
around it by an imperial decree, but even
that cannot be done without the disappear
ance and supposed death OF one OF the par
ties. Last winter they tried to fix up the
business, and the undertaking was made by
no less parsonage than Count Shouva!ofi
The Count has the reputation ct never fall
ing in any difficult and delicate piece o.
diplomacy that he takes in hand, and in the
present instance he was confident of success.
He went and he returned, and since his re-
turn he has not been in favor as he was.
Mrs. Alexis was stopping at one of the no.
tells on the Quai du Mont Blanc, in Geneva,
and one day card bearing the name OF o
Russian nobleman whom she did not know
was sent to her room. In order to preserve
an incognito the Count travelled under one OF
his inferior titles, and it was with this name
that he presented himself. She descended to
the parlor to see the stranger, and at once re-
cognized the redoutable Count having be-
come familiar with his face and its huge
mustache at court. After the usual common
places the Count proceeded to business, and
managed it with all the skill of which he was
possessed.
1t was proposed that she should renounce
all claim to the hand of Alexis should change
her name and disappear, and let the places
that had known her know her no more for
ever. In return for this trifing, and perfect
ly feasible service, she would receive 1000, 600
roubles down, and an annuity of $4,000
roubles, which would be continued for her
child in case the latter survived her, and it
was devoutly hoped he would not About
this time the child was brought into the room,
and the Count observed, doubtless with sor-
row in his heart, that it was in vigorous
health, and there was no reasonable hope that
the gods would love it and enable it to die
young.
The Count used all the arguments at his
command, and there were plenty of them,
but to no purpose. The woman was obsti-
nate, and spurned the offer with an air OF in
dignation worthy Of a tragic actress. "But
remember, said the Count, "you can never
see Alexis again; you will not be allowed to
return to Russia, and his movements will be
SO arranged that meeting will be impossible.
You have learned by this time that even were
the marriage acknowledged by the Emperor,
you could never appear at Court, or receive
the imperial recognition. If you love Alexis,
release him from the consequences of his
youthful passion, and enable him to fill the
position which belongs to him. You are
mother. Think Of his mother, and end this
youthful folly"
even when she was told that she could name
the financial terms and receive the money
when and where she wished She loved Alexis
aud had married him, and would remain his
wife until death should do the graceful for
one of them. Possibly the Count hoped that
the pale warrior would begin on her at an
early date, but if he thought so he didn't say
so. The interview lasted couple Of hours,
and was as unsuccessful as the most earnest
admirer of pig-headed constancy in love could
DESIRE Next day the diplomat called again,
but she would not see him, and after trying
the intercession of Russian lady of high
position who happened there in Geneva, he
gave up the effort and took the train for
Paris. Rum things is women said the
elder Weller when Sammy told him of the |
,apers of the old woman. "Rum things is |
women" muttered Count Shouvalof as he
shook the dust of Geneva from his delicate |
boots, and settled into the corner of the first
class compartment which his aid-de-camp had |
secured on the through train.
And SO the matter stands. Probably the |
woman will become wiser in time and consent
% the arrangement on the basis proposed. |
She has the sympathy of sentimental school
urls Ell id Onane genus, and is considered fool
~ great many people who are supposed to
'e sensible. 1t has been limited that an effort
vas made few months ago to coax her and
Ter child back to Russia so that they could be
Luietly secluded from the world. but am in
lined to doubt. A hundred years ago such
proceeding would have been en- reg,e, but
ines have changed, and however much this
death may be desired, the Govern
aent would hardly take any measures to
asten it. The marriage of the Grand Duke
lexis in his proper station in life is indef-
itely postponed, and Count Shouvaloff and
is imperial master must wait, Micawberish,
or something to turn up.