The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1900-12-09


made a countess BY the Gar Of Rus
STA
This honor conferred on a mere girl
carries with It special significance in
diplomatic and Official circles
Countess Marguerite is barely nine
teen years Of age. She has already
had a remarkable career. Since the
age Of Is. when she accompanied her
uncle on bis European diplomatic mis-
sions. she has been compelled to face
social sights. as well as humiliating
rumors and remarks which might well
have embittered the character and dis
position or an older woman.
From the very infancv OF the young
girl the Russian ambassador has had
entire charge Of his lovely young niece.
When. at his country's command, he
went 20 China. the little Russian girl,
then about 10 years old, assumed the
social responsibilities incumbent upon
the embassy. II sauty and accom-
plishments. in addition to the romance
Of so young a hostess, easily made her
a leader in social diplomatic circles.
The wives Of other diplomats. some
Of whom bore ancient titles, resented
the high position accorded TO this child
ambassadress-an unmarried. untitled
girl. possessed of no fortune save the
bounty Of charity. as they were so fond
OF calling il. OF her wealthy uncle.
Perhaps had not the young Russian
been so beautiful. such unkind remarks
would not have been made.
Il was during the administration OF
Count Cassini as ambassador to China
that the wives OF some Of the diplo-
mats. al their gossiping teas. made
vague. insinuating remarks which
formed the nucleus OF the unfounded
stories which finally resulted in the fair
Russian pleading with her uncle TO be
allowed TO abstain from social duties
and social honors and seek seclusion
in her home circle. II was said that
this unpleasant attitude assumed by
the ladies OF the diplomatic corps was
the chief reason Count Cassini gave
in begging TO be removed from his
Oriental post. Later, when the car
for state and international reasons
desired the presence of so able dip
lomat as Count Cassini in the French
capital the ambassador. believing that
Partisan society would deal more gra-
Ciously with his charming young niece,
opened wide the uoors of the embassy
and with lavish hospitality entertained
al some OF the most brilliant festivi'
ties of the year.
Marguerite Cassini was at that time
16 years old Embittered by the harsh
rumors that had met her own ears.
she had devoted her entire time u
study. making books and nature her
friends and putting little faith in the
stability OF man. On the assurance OF
her uncle that Partisan society was
just. she once more assumed the re-
sponsibifities of ambassadress of the
Russian embassy.
But the wild rumors atioat in Pc
king had prec', 'er ihe fair Russian TO
tie French capital. and she was treat
ed coldly. not being accepted as "a
lady of the diplomatic corps" nor even
regarded as a member of the ambas.
sador's household. II was then that
Count Cassini asked to oe sent 20 the
free and independent land of Ameri-
ca. A third time he pleaded with his
niece TO enter the social world. but
her previous experiences instilled in,
her Young heart such hatred of the
frivolous. gilded. insincere manners Of
those who ruled and dominated world
" society that she fatty refused TO
mingle in it at all. saying that she pre-
ferred her dogs and horses TO society
men and women. and with a fine argu-
ment that the social world cared moth
ing for her anyway and did not recog-
nize her as one Of them. she succeeded
in persuading the ambassador TO allow
her 10 devote her time to thought and
study.
So il was that the first season Count
Cassini spent in the United States no
entertaining except several Official
functions which his capacity as am
bassador forced upon him. was indulg.
ed in by the wealthy count. There
are. perhaps. few men in the diplo-
matte corps who are so fond OF enter,
tanning or who are noted for being
such gracious hosts as the Russian
ambassador.
Countess Cassini. characteristic of
her proud nature. withdrew from the
sphere which had received her so cold
ly. She did not seek the social world
in America, but almost on its knees il
sought her.
Not the diplomatic circles. so far as
the women of il were concerned. but
the officials of the government. even
from the presidents immediate family
down. were charmed by the innocence,
simplicity and originality of the young
girl and sought her presence on all %
casions. Once more her beauty and
charms became famous. and, it is said.
had she not been so fair to look upon,
the anger and resentment of foreign
ladies would not have led them g -.
tempt so strenuously TO ostracise he
beautiful Young Russian.
The stories which were told ia Chi
M We're To the effect that Mile. Cas-.
SIM was the step-daughter of the MS
sian ambassador. by the time they
had travelled across the waters .
France-a according TO the tradition OF
the three black crows-the rumors IL
clared that she was a daughter OF a
brother OF the count. After they came