The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-12-01
Miscellaneous.
DUCHESS D0R0THEA.
BY JUSTIN Mccarthy,

"No, don't care so much for staying in
Germany now," said my friend, Lyndsay
Roundell to me the other day, as we sat
after dinner, we two, alone, in the window
of little hotel overlooking the Thames
We had not met for some years, and having
now chanced to meet in London, he on re.
turning from the Italian port where he had
been British Consul, and having just come
back from the United States, we celebrated
our reunion by quiet dinner together
When we used to meet more often, and We
were a little younger, we were both passion
ate lovers of German literature, music, phil.
osophy, scenery and wines. Naturally
therefore, we had been talking of Germany.
"No," he repeated, 81 don't care much
about staying in Germany any more. | al.
ways hurry through. / know all about
United Germany and its greatness. and its
victories, and that sort of thing, and it's
splendid, of course, | am glad of it, you
know, but it's little like fellow who il
glad that some cir, he loved when he was
boy had grown grand lady and married an
earl Delighted, of course, and all that but
she isn't our Lisette any more. | spent a
night or two in Berlin, lately, and went to
an evening party-had to. 1t was given by
friend, modest professor. tell you there
was as much show and sham as much jewelry
and rustling silks, and bare shoulders and
iootmen, and airs and tomfoolery as if it was
in Paris, under the empire"
81 fear-I fear that years are telling on
you, ROundel. You are becoming an old
togy."
IL suppose 50. But these people used to
be so simple, sweet and homely when used
t. visit Brrl n first. Tell you what, | used
to like the title courts of the tiny princess
It's shame, suppose, but | used to like
them. Say what you will, these little courts
had a flavor OF antique chivalry and Old r..
nance about them"
clad they ! confess | never could see
It. ! thought them ridiculous little hum
bugs"
"Well and you are right enough, from
the point of view aken by the journalist and
the practical politician. But why don't yon
take look at them from the romancis's :
standpoint ?"
'Recause | can't imagine any romance
cingng around such formal, dry and dusty
old pedantries. Did you ever hear of the
romance of Master of the Ceremonies /?
Can YOU imagine Gold Stick in Waiting, the
hero Of a thrilling love story ?"
Roundell only sent column of smoke up
over his head into the blue ether and was
silent. After silence of moment or two
he said, "Did you see in the papers the
death of the Grand Duchess of Licbes.
helm 7"
"No, didn't observe. The old Grand
Duchess ?"
"Oh, no. the young one-the wife of the
Grand Duke-I mean the fellow who was
Grand Duke until Bismarck sponged him of
the slate
"l didn't see Where did she die ?"
"In Florence. She was very young to
die"
iouhb W uie-yeS' but sEe Was not
exactly chicken, you know. Let me see.
When was it We saw her in Liebeshem at
her marriage festivalH In '52, wasn't it ?
Well, you see, twenty years"
eyes, yes, of course but l always think
of her as young. How beautiful she looked
then p
"She did she seemed charming woman
only saw her twice-the day when her
husband brought her into the balcony to
bow to the crowd and once at the court hall,
for which some goodnatured funotionary-
| forgot who it was-kindly got me a tick
et."
'She is dead-so soon, my friend repeat
ed, thoughtfully.
"They said her husband was a worthless
scamp" said l, for want of anything else or
better TO say.
"They did believe IL was only too
rue" replied Rounded, rather gloomily.