The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1883-01-12
A WOMAN's ROMANCE.

The most extraordinary sensation has
been produced in the high circles Of Rome.
About three years ago the old Prince NJ. was
married to the Juvenile daughter nf the no.
bic house of v. He was enormously
wealthy but old, decTepit, and somewhat
deformed. The young girl, in all her youth
and beauty, was taken from the convent In
which she had been brought up, aud under
the guidance Of her needy and ambitious
family, and oppressive coercion exercised BY
her mother, was married to the venerable
prince with great pomp and ceremony, and
AL Rome " worth mentioning failed not 70
congratulate the mother and felicItate the
needy brothers On the good luck which bad
befallen them all.
No sooner was the marriage concluded
than the aged bridegroom carried bis youth
full bride away to his castle in the country,
leaving, however, his magnificent pslsZzo st
home entirely at the disposal OF his mother
in-law, and the feastinR and reVeling going
forward soon rendered the Palazzo NJ
the most popular rendezvous In the city.
The mother, bedeeked in the family dia-
monds left by the young princess Tor her use.
riding about In the princes carriage, and en-
tertaining all her friends IN his palace was,
for three years, the happiest woman In the
world. Meanwhile the fair young victim,
resigned to her fate. and resolved TO do her
duty by her husband, remained alone With
him in the old castle attending to bis com
fort, and affording every solace to his inhrn-
tiles.
At length the old man died, and bis body
was brought in great state to Rome. The
young widow was summoned 10 the city, and
the family convoked for the reading OF the
viii. The astonishment and delight Of the
ambitious mother and the needy brothers
may 5e conceived when it was announced
that the whole Of the princes fortune-his
money, jewels, and estates-wsre left IN
conditiOnally TO the widow, with the touch
ing request that she seek another matri-
mOnial alliance more satisfactory than tie
one with him had been, and recommending
her not to wait until she found man worthy
Of her love, for such man she would never
find in the whole world"
The scene which followed has never had
parallel In history. The young widow rose,
and in her mourning robes, with pale, calm
determined cOuntenance, looked ike an
avenging angel" She stratched forth her
arm with imposing gesture; and in stern
voice exclaimed
IF all this be really mine. as you declare,
then the first use 1 make OF my wealth aud
freedom will be to chase forever from my
presence those who sold me into the slavery
by which these advantages have been pro-
cured. Let the palace be cleared immedl-
ately of every mem Der of my family and all
other strangers. The building will be shut
up at once, as am about to travel
With these words she disappeared through
a side door, and the sound of carriage wheels
in the courtyard announced to the assembly
she had left the palace. In vain have friends
and relatives sought to interfere; In vain the
highest authorities endesyOred to soften her
decision. The princess remains obdurats,
and refuses all conclliation. The ambitious
mother has retired to a convent for = while
to repent Of her sins, and the needy brothers
are driven into exile to escape the ridicuie
of their position.