The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-09-10

1rcSll ana lfaGfaM as na!l-OpeNed
rose. attracted all eyes 10 her and
when she walked abroad she was fol-
! lowed by al embarrassing retinue Of
admirers. She was, even at this ear
Iy age, by universal assent the most
beautiful girl in Italy.
One day in 1854, so the story is
fold by Frederick Lollee, the youthful
Count Castiglione was present in
London at a reception given by the
duchess Of Iverness, and as he gazed
at the galaxies Of the beautiful women
around him he said to his friend
Count Walewski, ~ suppose you do
not know what has brought me to
London? I have come in search of
wife" my dear Castiglione," the
count answered, ''if that is so you
have made 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" "
The count followed this friendly
advice: fell hopelessly in love with
bho fair Virginie the moment he set
eyes on her radiant young charms, and
after brief wooing won her consent
to be his wife. But the girl 'sheart was
far from accompanying her hand. 81
will marry you.' she said, "because
my mother wishes, it. But remember
do not love you: [ shall never love
YOU. In fact shall always be lndltfer-
ent to you -
1t was under such unpromlslng
conditions that Virginie was led to
the altar, an unwilling and unhappy
,, bride, by the Count de Castigione-
young, handsome and rich, but OF
| weak character and dissipated 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
never gave it: Even before the honey
moon had waned she set the count at
defiance. In vain he implored her to
paw the bridal visit, prescribed by
custom. to his mother. She refused
point blank.
! Seeing that appeals and commands
were alike useless he determined to
| conquer by artifee. One day he lnvqt-
ed his wife to accompany him on
drive, secretly bidding the coachman
to take them to his mothers house.
Virginie showed no sign of suspicion
until the carriage was crossing the
river and her destination became
clear. Then, taking off one OF her
shoes, she flung it into the water, say
ing triumphantly: "Now take me
back. l can't enter your mothers
barefoot" And back the count had
to take the pretty rebel.
N. Lollee paints charming pic
ture of Virginie at this period of her
life. Her blue eyes had magic SOFT
ness, her brown hair, rich and abund-
ant, clustered round the pure lines of
her brow; the arms and shoulders
had an indescriba,ble 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
faultless in It's 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
womanhood. the most peerless OF her
sex, NOT only in Italy, but in all Eu-
rope; and her personal charm and IN
telligence were at least equal to her
physical perfection. Wife though she
now was, she was constantly sur
rounded by lovers, including King
Victor Emmanuel himself, the. most
indefatigable of them all, to whom
she dispensed her smiles and favors
with A charming abandon. when
drove her husband to distraction. She
was born queen Of hearts, and right
royalty she PLAYED the role.
Cavour, Victor Emmanuel's minis
ter. 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 90 TO
Paris in this character, to throw her
spell over: Napoleon and enlist his aid
in liberating Italy. 1t was a mission
J. -; h1n tH