Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1884-07-03
Miscellaneous.
A Diamond ROBBIE.
\ STORY on FRENCH III.


Amin MI ih i-'ii'A'A =" 49,
1t was in the palmest days OF the Inflated
Second Empire The iriumphs Of the Cri-
mea we're not vel forgotten; the laurels won
at Magenta were still ,erdant and fresh Sc
dan with all its bitter humiliation and dis
astrous train of tragic consequences, loom
ed in the misty future. undreamed Of amid
the almost fabulous luxury and incredible
frivoity when paved the way for the final
terrible fascu.
II was an evening IN midwinter. The Pa
Tisian season was at its height. and a brill
liant audience had assembled at the Theatre
Francois to witness the performance Of Jules
Sandeau's delightful play. "Msdemoi>elle
de la Seigiere.' in which the role of Des-
tourneils was flied by the great Regnier,
and ,ha, of Helele by Madeleine Brohan.
then in the zenith of her fame, radiant with
youth, beauty, and those fascinations-the
outcome of innate talent and refinement
which rendered this gifted lady one of the
most charming and perfect actresses of mod
efn DAYS.
The Empress was present. graceful aud
beautiful the Emperor at her side. wrap
ped in his favorite air of gloomy abs,rac-
ton which. like Lord Bnrleighs celebrated
nod, was supposed to mean so much. vet
which. viewed BY the impartial light of sub
secuent yeracious history, seems to have
>ignifsd so very little. Several officers in
glit,ering uniforms were in attendance.
sparkling with decorations showered upon
them BY a grateful sovereign; and among
these gallant warriors, conspicuous by rea-
son of the sonnherness of his attire. was q
solitary, humble, black coated civilian, in
ordinary evening dress. with the inevitable
speck Of red a, his buttonhole.
In box almost Immediately opposite that
occupied by their Imperial Majesties was
a Young and exceedingly handsome Russian
lady. the Countess Iyanof, concerning
whose manifold graces and destinations the
great world Of Paris elected to interest it.
self considerably at this period.
The wit and the beauty Of this fair north
ern enchaniress were the theme of every
masculine tongue, and her magnificent dia-
monds the envy and admiration of all ferni-
nine beholders.
The Countess was accompanied by her
husband. fine man of distinguished, pre-
possessing appearance, who looked an em.
bodied refutation of the celebrated Napole.
onic aphorism, as though no amount OF
scratching" could ever unearth the Cos
sack element underneath his refined, polish
ed exterior.
The curtain fell after the first act. The
Emperor and Empress withdrew during the
entr'acte. Many humber mortals followed
their example; among them Count Ivanoff
apparently in nowise disturbed By the facl
that the golden youth in the stalls were
bringing a small battery Of opera-glasses tc
bear upon the dazzling charms Of his beau.
tiful wife with brazen persistency which
We chivalrous Britishers like to fatter our.
selves is the monopoly of foreigners.
The Countess leaned back in her luxuri
Gus faufeMii, tanning herself dreamily, sc.
renely Indifferent to the interest she was ex.
citing. In the dim light Of her curtain
shaded box the glitter Of her splendid dia
monds seemed to form sort Of luminous
halo around her graceful head; a million o.
starry brilliants CLEANED among the masse.
Of her gold-brown hair, and two priceless,
stones, popularity reported to be worth tha
unknown quantity. kings ransom, Hashet
and twinkIed like twin planets in her littl,
shell-tinted ears.
The Count bad not been gone five min
utss when there vas . gentle knock 1t u
door, and in answer to the Countess's "En
tres the o,tvressse appeared and said defer
entislly:
Pardon, Madame IL Comtesse . gentle
man charged with . message from her Maj
esty, the Empress, waits in the corridor ans
deaires TO know If madame will have thl
goodness 10 receive him."