Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-26
ROMANCE OF COURT BEAUTY
vIRoINIE. COUNTESS CASTIG.
LONE. DAZZLED MEN.
Born in a F1orentine Palace, But
Spent Her Early Years In q
Rustic Environment.

spent ocI 1AAAy
Rustic Environment.
From Casselrs Journal
In all the brilliant pageant OF courts no
figure has moved with more queeniy oeau-
ty and a more captivating grace IMAM
yiryinfe Countess Castiglione. VINO TOT
few wears in the middle Of the last cen
fury dazzled the world by her charms
and conquered hearts by glance, ano
few have drunk more deeply of ilfes ds
lights and its bitterness
A romantic story tells US that TINS peer
less woman was Graded in a larHiouse
and spent her early years IT rustic Gu
yironment of cows and hens. put' III
fact. her origin was much more exaiteu
and less romantic VIrSinle nrst opeheo
her beautiful eyes in Fiorentine palace,
the daughter Of the MARQUIS oidoinl. an
Italian diplomat, and his marchsoness,
one of the most graceful ana cha 'innS
rowan of her day Beauty and rank
were thus her heritage and seldom mas
woman turned them to better account.
Most Beautiful Woman In Europe.
As child she exhibited rare prom
ise of loneliness and of that indescribabie
made her supreme among her sex. She
was born to inspire the passion and de-
yotion Of men, and before she had
emerged from short frocks she was be-
sieged by wooers. At twelve her beauty
was the talk of Florence When she ac-
compan MED her mother to the theater, her
tall. graceful figure. her brilliant eyes
and her exquisite complexion. 1resn anu
fragrant as a half-opened rose. attracted
all eyes to her. and when she walked
abroad she was followed by an emDar-
RAISING retinue of admirers. she was
even at this early age, by universe SAL, as
sent the most beautiful girl in all italy.
One day in 1854. SO the story is told by
Frederic Ioliee, the youthful Count Cas-
tiglione was present in London at re-
ception given by the Duchess of In
verness. and as he gazed at the galaxies
said to his friend. Count Walewski,
suppose you do not know what has
brought me to London? / have come IN
search of a wife" Ny dear Castlsilone,
have made a great mistake in leaving
italy. Go back. get an Introduction to
the Marchioness Oldoini and win her
daughter You will then have the most
beautiful wife In Europe.
An Unhappy Bride.
The count followed this friendly adj
vice; fell hopelessly in love with the
fair virginie the moment he set eyes on
her radiant young charms, and after a
brief wooing won her consent to be his
wife But the girls heart was far from
ACCOMPANYING her hand. II will marry
you," she said. because my mother
wishes it. But. remember, | do not love
you. / shall never love you. In fact,
know l shall always be lndiHerent 10
YOU"
It was under such unpromislng condi-
tons that virginie was led to the altar.
an unwilling and unhappy bride. by the
Count de Castiglione-young, handsome
and rich but of weak character and dis
sipated habits. Such a husband could
never inspire respect, much less affection.
in the proud. strong-willed young beauty
She owed him no allegiance. and she new
err gave it. Even before the honeymoon
had waned she set the count at defiance.
In vain he implored her to pay the bridal
visit prescribed by custom. to his moth
err She refused point blank.
Seeing that appeal and commands were
alike useless. he determined to conquer
by artifce One day he invited his wife to
accompany him on drive. secretly bid
ding the coaclman to take them to his
mothers house. Vrginie showed no sign
of suspicion until the carriage was cross
ing the river and her destination became
clear Then, taking eff one of her shoes
she flung it into the water. saying, tri-
umphantly: Now take me back. can't
enter your mothers house barefoot.
And back the count had to take the pref
~ rebel.
A Picture of the Countess.
NJ Loliee paints charming picture Of
Virginie at this period of her life. "Her
blue eyes had a magic softness: her
brown hair. rich and abundant, clustered
round the pure lines of her brow; the
arms and shoulders had an indescribable
grace in their exquisite curves; the dainty
dimpled chin, the lovely parted lips. like
an opening crimson flower. appeared to
invite a caress. Even more beautiful, if
possible. was her figure. which was fault
less in its symmetry and Its grace of
outline; while her arms and hands. in
their perfect modelling. were the despair
of sculptorS,
Such was the Countess Castiglione when
she stood on the threshold of woman
hood. the most peerless of her sex, not
only in Italy. but in all Europe: and her
personal charm and intelligence were at
least equal to her physical perfection.
Wife, though she now was, she was con-
stantly surrounded by lovers. including
King Victor Emmanuel himself. the most
indefatigable of them all, to whom she
dispensed her smiles and favors with
charming abandon. which drove her hus-
band to distraction. She was born
queen of hearts, and right royalty she
played the role.
As a Diplomat.
Cayour, Victor Emmanuel's minister.
was the first to discover in the countess
other gifts than those of beauty. With
her subtle intellect and her rare gift of
making men the slaves of her will. she
would make an ideal diplomatist: and he
had little difficulty in inducing her to go
to Paris in this character. to throw her
spell over Napoleon and enlist his aid
in lberating Italy. 1t was mission
which made an irresistible appeal to the
countess ambition. She would be a
great force in Europe, the arbiter of ma
tional destinies. She had long been weary
of her weakened husband. and it was
with a light heart that she made the
journey to France. to conquer the world
At Paris she was received with the
honors OF an empress and the homage due
to the loveliest woman in Europe; and
among her warmest welcomers was Ma
poleon himself. who. in his crownless
days, had petted her child. Her
first appearance at the French court was
at grand ball at the Tuileries, where
her reception was such as might weu
have turned less we'll balanced head